Alleged Serial Burglar Waives Prelim

Barnes, 47, of the 3400 block of Cottman Avenue, was arrested June 22 at about 11:30 p.m. after he attempted to enter a town home in the unit block of Maple Drive, police said. 

See the initial story on Plymouth-Whitemarsh Patch here. 

According to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Verman, Barnes is responsible for 20 nighttime burglaries and several attempted burglaries in the area.

Barnes is scheduled to be formally arraigned Aug. 28 in Montgomery County Court.

How Barnes was captured

Ferman said Whitemarsh, Conshohocken and Whitpain police departments have experienced a rash of burglaries that have taken place in their respective municipalities over the past 15 months during the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.; entry to most of the homes usually took place through an unlocked or forced-open rear or side window.

As part of an investigation, police discovered a red Suzuki Esteem, which was captured on video surveillance at Sunoco gas stations in Philadelphia. According to the press release, Whitpain and Conshohocken detectives noticed this vehicle parked in an alley behind Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia.

On June 22, officers from several departments conducted surveillance on the Esteem and Whitemarsh Police, with the help of Conshohocken Police, arrested a Barnes as he was allegedly trying to force his way into a Whitemarsh Township house.

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.

A search of Barnes’ residence in Philadelphia uncovered a stolen laptop and a stolen brown jewelry box containing jewelry, according to the release.