William Wilson III, 41, of Newark, was arrested just after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Police say witness saw Wilson prowling behind homes on East Cleveland Avenue and called police.
An officer allegedly saw Wilson throw a crowbar on the ground.
He was arrested and, police say, it was later determined Wilson broke into two homes and tried to enter a third, all on East Cleveland Avenue.
He was being held on $39,000 bail.
