Home Security Camera, Pry Marks On Door Lead To Break-In Suspect

WEST CHESTER, PA — Video footage from a home security camera led West Chester police to a suspect they say attempted to pry open a door on Harmony Alley after took the security camera.

A 44-year-old West Chester man was identified by police as the suspect in what they called an attempted home burglary on Nov. 27. West Chester Borough Police reported investigating a report of an attempted home break-in at 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 27 in the 300 block of Harmony Alley.

Officers found pry marks on a door, and a security camera was missing from the front of the property, police reported.

Security camera footage provided by the homeowner, as well as items left on scene by the suspect, gave officers enough evidence to charge Marcus Trust, 44, of West Chester, with felony criminal trespass and entering a structure. He is also charged with resisting arrest.

Police said Trust admitted to committing the burglary when interviewed by West Chester Police officers. Trust was transported to Chester County Prison for arraignment, according to police reports.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in District Court 15-1-01.

Trust has pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors in the past, and has been sentenced to probation and confinement, though the most recent of those convictions was 18 years ago.

In 2002, Trust pleaded guilty to simple assault and to unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, according to court records. In 2001 he pleaded guilty to criminal mischief/tampering with property and to unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, and in 2000 he pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, according to court records. In 1998 Trust pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, and had a charge of burglary dismissed, court records show.