Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pennsylvania: Oakmont police nab shirtless, tipsy home intruder

Oakmont, Pennsylvania

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review of May 27, 2009
Oakmont police nab shirtless, tipsy home intruder

Oakmont police said they arrested an intoxicated man early Sunday as he attempted to enter a house in which the owner had armed himself.

The man, Brian Adam Witkovitz of Elicker Road, Plum, gave no statements and indicated no motive as to why he tried to enter two houses in the 600 block of Ninth Street about 3 a.m., according to the police report.

Police said officers responded about 30 seconds after the owner of a house called the Allegheny County emergency dispatcher to report a burglary in progress. Officer Joseph Cattani observed Witkovitz, who was shirtless, open the storm door to the attached garage, according to police.

Despite instructions to the contrary from the dispatcher, the homeowner had armed himself in anticipation of meeting the intruder.

Cattani, backed up by another officer, entered the garage and subdued Witkovitz without incident before the suspect entered the house.

Witkovitz has been charged with burglary, criminal attempt, public drunkenness, loitering and prowling at night, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and simple trespass. He is free on a non-monetary bond.

Oakmont Police Chief Dave DiSanti praised his officers for their quick response.

"They managed to keep the burglar from bumping into the armed homeowner," he said. "You can see how bad it would have been, had there been a confrontation. It took a lot of fortitude for Cattani to enter the garage."

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