Neighbors Help Thwart Home Break-in in Villanova

A man and woman were arrested by Radnor Township Police on Tuesday morning after neighbors helped thwart an apparent burglary.

According to Lt. Christopher Flanagan, a resident of the 700 block of County Line Road in Villanova reported that she saw a woman break into a back window of a neighbor's home. The 700 block runs from Wistar Road to the Blue Route overpass.

While one neighbor called 911, another chased a woman as she ran down the driveway with a pillowcase full of what police say was jewelry, according to police. The woman then dropped the bag and ran into a silver-colored SUV parked around the corner. A man at the wheel then drove them toward Matsonford Road.

A friend of the neighbor followed the car after it took off, Flanagan said. The victims of the burglary were not home at the time.

Constable Michael Connor heard the call come in and was in the area to find and pursue it. At about 10:45 a.m., a man and a woman were taken into custody in a parking lot in the 100 block of Matsonford Road in Upper Merion Township.

Flanagan said the police do not know the identification of the man and woman, but according to a finger print database, there are warrants out for them in multiple states, including New Jersey and New York.

He said it is too soon to know if they are related to other burglaries that have recently taken place in Radnor.

Charges against them include Burglary, Receiving Stolen Property, Theft by Unlawful Taking and Criminal Trespass.

The couple did not speak English to the police, he said. A Polish interpreter was used over the phone by police. Immigration and Naturalization Services has been contacted about the man.

Flanagan noted that the neighbors took "significant" action, and "we are grateful." But, "We ask citizens to dial 9-1-1 and observe in safety" because of possible risks to witnesses.

Police encourage residents to call 9-1-1 whenever they see "suspicious" behavior.

"If you know your neighbors house and have never seen anyone in the back, call us," Flanagan said.