OREM -- A serial cigarette thief may have burgled his last carton of Marlboros.

Orem police arrested a 53-year old suspect at his home in West Valley City on Tuesday morning. A resident tipped off police after seeing a news report of the serial burglaries of more than $40,000 in cigarettes in Salt Lake and Utah counties in recent months, said Lt. Gary Downey.

"It was through observing the photo" taken from security camera footage during the early morning burglaries, he said. "Someone recognized him."

Dale Joseph Frenette was arrested at his home with a search warrant and a warrant for his arrest, Downey said. Police found packs of cigarettes in Frenette's home, although he couldn't say what quantity of tobacco was seized.

"He lawyered up," Downey said of Frenette's arrest. "He didn't want to talk."

Though the investigation is continuing, Downey said police investigators are "sure" the suspect is directly connected to a string of more than a dozen similar burglaries at Albertsons supermarkets in May and June.

"There may be more charges," Downey said.

The Orem store at 1585 N. State St. was hit on June 2, during which time the suspect forced entry into the front doors with some type of tool, police said. Other Albertsons stores targeted during the robberies included the American Fork store and about 10 locations in the Salt Lake Valley.

Frenette was booked into the Utah County Jail on five pending charges -- burglary of a business, two counts of theft, burglary and criminal mischief. During a bail hearing before a 4th District Court judge on Wednesday, Frenette's bail was set at $20,000 cash or bond.

According to state court records, Frenette is no newcomer to Utah's criminal justice system. In 1988, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge and in 1990 he pleaded guilty to third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance count. He's also pleaded guilty to a retail theft misdemeanor and two DUI misdemeanor counts.

If found guilty of the pending charges, Frenette could be looking at jail and possibly prison time.

"Any time you're able to arrest someone who you believe has committed that many crimes, it's always good to help solve it," Downey said. "Especially with the magnitude of the property involved -- over $40,000 in cigarettes -- and how many tied up cases because of this arrest."

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