Burglar Broke Into Homes Across Montco While Residents Slept: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — A serial burglar is behind bars after breaking into numerous homes across Montgomery County while the residents inside slept, officials said.

Junine Garnett, 21, of Norristown, burglarized eight homes and attempted another eight burglaries over about a five-week period late last summer, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

“I cannot stress enough that even though you think you live in a ‘safe neighborhood,’ please lock your doors and windows at night," District Attorney Kevin Steele said. "It’s an easy precaution to take."

An investigation led authorities to a residence on Market Street in Harrisburg, where U.S. Marshals took Garnett into custody on Tuesday, May 18.

The string of burglaries, which took place from Aug. 17 to Sept. 24, were spread throughout Collegeville, East Norriton, Lower Providence, Trappe, and West Norriton, the DA's Office said.

In each incident, Garnett followed a similar plan: look for a home with an unlocked window or door, and then once inside, steal easily transported items like cash, jewelry, documents, and purses, police said.

During the final burglary on Sept. 24, on 8th Avenue in Collegeville, Garnett was confronted by the homeowner and fled on foot, according to authorities. However, he left behind his black Mercury Milan, which was parked across the street, police said. This ultimately assisted authorities in connecting Garnett to the crimes, as this vehicle appeared in security footage at other incidents. Moreover, Garnett's girlfriend's Chevy Malibu could also be seen in some of the burglaries, police said.

Bail was set at $500,000 and Garnett was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for June 1.