Police: Man Robs Hatboro Home, Confronts Victim

A 25-year-old Philadelphia man who first asked to use the telephone of an elderly Hatboro homeowner allegedly attemped to steal the victim's car, got into a physical altercation with her and took some of her personal property, according to Hatboro Police.

Sean S. Tillman, 25, whose last known address is in the 1300 block of West Ruscomb Street in Philadelphia, was arrested Saturday morning and charged with burglary, robbery, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment. The charges stem from an alleged break-in that morning of a North Chester Avenue home in Hatboro, authorities said.

Police responded to the borough residence at 7:05 a.m. Saturday after the caller, a 67-year-old Hatboro woman, reported that a man was attempting to steal her car. The 911 dispatcher heard a struggle on the telephone, according to police, and the call was terminated. Upon a subsequent call back, the victim reported that a man had forced entry into her home and took property, including a computer, car keys and cordless telephone, police said. 

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While responding to the scene, a Hatboro police officer saw a man walking on West Montgomery Avenue who matched the description of the suspect. The man was stopped, identified as Tillman and was found to be in possession of property stolen from the home, police said. The victim identified Tillman as the person responsible for the break-in, theft and physical altercation, police said.

Initially, Tillman had attempted to gain access to the borough home without breaking in, according to police. The victim told police that Tillman first rang her doorbell. She then saw him standing outside her rear kitchen door, police said.  Tillman reportedly asked if he could use her telephone and the victim denied this request. 

When Tillman refused to leave the property, the victim called 9-1-1, police said.  Tillman then forced entry into the home, confronted the victim and a struggle ensued, police said.

Tillman then took items from the home, including car keys, according to police.  He departed the residence and attempted to use the keys on a vehicle parked in the driveway, but the keys did not work in this vehicle, police said. At this point, Tillman is said to have reentered the home and took a telephone from the victim, who was again speaking to a 9-1-1 operator.

Tillman then fled on foot before being apprehended, according to police. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Tillman allegedly attempted to gain entry to a home in the first block of West Montgomery Avenue by using the same ruse of asking to use the telephone, police said. The resident of this home also denied the request and Tillman departed.

Police said they believe that Tillman is homeless and may have been in New York City in the days prior to the Hatboro burglary. Tillman was in possession of other personal property, such as an iPhone, which police said was stolen in New York.

Tillman was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Thomas Palladino of Pottstown and was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled before District Justice Paul Leo on Feb. 12.