Police: Burglar confronted by homeowner in Radnor Twp. ID'd

RADNOR TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Detectives in Radnor Township say they have identified the the brazen burglar who was confronted by the homeowner he was targeting.

Their suspect is Matthew Heckman of Upper Darby. He remains at large.

Surveillance video of the suspect was released on Thursday.

Investigators say last Friday morning the homeowner, a senior citizen, came home and saw that one of the window panes on her front door was broken.

She opened the door to her Hawthorne Lane home and saw the suspect with one of her suitcases.

It was filled with jewelry, electronics and money.

Police say he told her to come inside and stay quiet, but she did not follow his directions and stayed outdoors.

"The female was able to get away and retreat from the front door, call 911, and seek shelter at a neighbor's house," Lt. Chris Flanagan of the Radnor Township Police Department said.

Neighbors saw the man prior to the break-in and thought he seemed suspicious.

"I just kind of got the feeling he didn't really belong here," neighbor Suzanne Bowers said.

Other neighbors watched the man walk away down the block pulling the blue suitcase.

A few blocks away, surveillance shows he boarded the Norristown High Speed Line, walked around a bit, chose a seat and rode toward Upper Darby where he exited at the Parkside station.

Neighbors say he took a big risk breaking into a home here in broad daylight.

"This is very much a stay-at-home neighborhood so there is always someone around so I feel like you have to be really bold if you want to break in around here during the day," Bowers said.

Radnor Township police are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.