Serial home burglar sought in Bucks, Montgomery counties

HILLTOWN TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- In Hilltown Township, Bucks County, a community of large properties and houses set far off the roadway, police say they've got a busy burglar taking advantage of this rural area.

"Not a very good person, they need to change their ways, find another way to earn a living," said Jane Schreiber.

Investigators say since late 2014, they belief the same thief or thieves has hit at least 10 homes on roads like Welcome House, Broad and Fairhill.

The bandit broke in through back doors and used a bedspread, pillow case or dresser drawer to steal valuables - mostly jewelry.

Just Thursday, police say a possible suspect - a 40 to 50 year old man in a beige Honda passenger van, backed into a driveway.

When the owner answered the door, he claimed he was lost. Two hours later and a mile away, another burglary was reported.

"He does go up under a ruse, knocks on the door to determine if anybody is home. If no one responds, he either goes to the front or back door using a pry bar," said Chief Christopher Engelhart, Hilltown Township Police.

But Chief Engelhart says it appears this burglar also struck homes in nearby Buckingham, Plumsted, Solebury and even communities in Montgomery County.

He's possibly responsible for more than 20 burglaries in the past six months and there could be more.

Hilltown Township Police say they linked several of the burglaries together weeks ago but they decided not to alert the public until now.

"Now it seems like they're not going away. We're getting more and more of these things. For some reason, Hilltown seems to be the epicenter right now - where you see the bulk of them," said Chief Engelhart.

Investigators say that means the serial burglar could live here.

Residents like Bill Warner are on the lookout.

"You lock your doors like you should do. You keep the keys out of the car. You watch out for yourself and keep an eye on the neighborhood," said Warner.