Cops Catch Alleged Burglar in the Act

Whitemarsh Police, with the help of Conshohocken Police, arrested a man as he was allegedly trying to force his way into a Whitemarsh Township house over the weekend.

Edward W. Barnes Jr., 47, of the 3400 block of Cottman Avenue, was arrested Saturday at about 11:30 p.m. after he attempted to enter a town home in the unit block of Maple Drive, police said.

According to police, Barnes was wearing dark gloves, a black hat and was dressed in dark clothing “pacing back and forth while looking around.” Police then saw Barnes crouched down near the rear window of a house with what was later determined to be a wood chisel with a black handle.

Police confronted Barnes and took him down with a knee strike. Barnes had a small flashlight and a knife in his possession, according to police, and the chisel was found next to the window. Police said there were several pry marks on the base of the window and the window ledge was bent downward.

The house was completely dark and did not seem to be occupied.

According to the report, Whitemarsh Police responded to the scene after they received information from the Conshohocken Police Department saying that a suspicious vehicle — one that may have been involved in several thefts and burglaries — was in the area. Police then began watching Barnes from a fence line at nearby St. Matthew’s Cemetery.

Barnes does not appear to have a criminal history in Pennsylvania; his preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2 at 10 a.m. in front of District Justice Deborah Lukens.