A suspect charged with several high-priced robberies committed additional break-ins of Northshore businesses while out on bond, taking up to $1 million in cash and merchandise, according to Slidell Police who announced his arrest Monday.

Nick Banta, 30, of Metairie was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Florida following a break in the case where Slidell Police say one of his accomplices gave him up after being arrested in Georgia.

Slidell Police Sergeant Troy Bradberry described Banta as, “the best burglar that I have ever dealt with.” He said he has tracked him for several years.

“It originally started with thefts of heavy equipment,” said Bradberry. “Then, if you all recall, the Glindmeyer case where over 200 flat screen TV’s were taken.”

Bradberry said Banta was arrested along with five others for that crime. But, according to Bradberry, when Banta got out on bond, he went back to work, stealing thousands of dollars from several businesses.

Police Chief Freddy Drennan said Banta would use a similar method for each crime. He would stake out places for days and set off false alarms to check out response times. When he finally broke in, he would come in through the roof and then disable the alarms quickly. Drennan said the thieves were never armed and hit only when the stores were closed.

“We’re not dealing with people here who were dopers,” he said. “We’re dealing with sophisticated burglars who were in the business for the money and the money only.”

Detectives said they got a break when an alleged accomplice, 22-year-old Christopher Schwartz of Metairie was caught robbing a business in Georgia. Schwartz allegedly gave up Banta and another man during questioning.