Mother hid with children as burglary suspect entered Plymouth Township home, police say
PLYMOUTH TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A burglary suspect remains behind bars after police say he broke into a home Monday afternoon while a mother and her two young children were inside.
Plymouth Township Police Detective Sgt. Christopher Schwartz praised the woman's response, calling it "courageous actions by that homeowner."
He said the break-in happened at a house on the 2900 block of Arch Road.
"Certainly a scary situation to be involved in, but we're grateful they're safe," Schwartz said.
Police say the incident began around 1:45 p.m., when 61-year-old Juan Medina started banging on the side door of the house. The homeowner ran upstairs with her children, locked themselves in a bathroom, and stayed on the phone with 911 as Medina eventually made his way into the kitchen.
Schwartz said the dispatcher played a key role.
"We're super fortunate that our dispatcher here kept her on the phone, was a calming voice for her, reassuring her that the patrol division was on their way out there."
When officers arrived, Medina was attempting to flee, but police say they took him into custody without any issues.
"That was real brazen - broad daylight," said neighbor Dan Quagliarello, who also shared video of Medina walking down his driveway.
Schwartz said Medina also stole property from a vehicle on the street.
Quagliarello said the neighborhood rarely sees crime.
"It's terrible. We don't have any of that around here...This neighborhood is awesome," he said.
Quagliarello is now adding more cameras to protect his family.
"I'm hooking up a security system out back. I have it up front right now. I'm putting a set on the side of the house too," he said.
Police say they have been in contact with at least two victims. They're asking residents to check their cameras and call police if they have any information.
Medina's bail was set at $50,000. He remains in jail with a hearing scheduled for September 8.
Police believe he is from Philadelphia but may be unhoused.
