A gap-toothed burglar who beat a man on the upper body with a Swiffer WetJet wasn't able to make a clean getaway, police said.
The incident occurred Tuesday night at a home in the 5700 block of South Manhattan Avenue.
Rigoberto Rodriguez-Alvarado, 49, shattered a window at the home, entered and stole more than $300 in tools, police said. The resident and his wife returned home while the suspect was still inside.
He beat the man with a Swiffer, but the victim fended him off with a paint can and concrete paver, police said. The victim wasn't injured.
Detective Tim Degusipe spoke with the victim the following day and was told the burglar had a large gap between his front teeth. While Degusipe was outside the home of a potential suspect, he saw Rodriguez-Alvarado riding a bike down the street.
"When conversation was initiated and the defendant smiled, Det. Degusipe observed a large gap between his front teeth," a police report states.
Police said Rodriguez-Alvarado had clearly been in a fight — he had a gash on the left side of his head, scratches on his neck and a knot on his forehead.
Rodriguez-Alvarado was arrested at Lois and Oklahoma avenues Wednesday morning and charged with armed burglary, aggravated battery and grand theft.
