A South Carolina homeowner was away from the house when surveillance footage reportedly showed two men entering the property, turning what could have been a delayed burglary discovery into a call while the suspects were allegedly still inside.
Deputies with the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched Friday afternoon to a home on Highmarket Street after the homeowner called 911, according to WMBF News.
The sheriff’s office said the homeowner saw Jonathan Knowlin, 50, and Matthew Kelly, 53, enter the home on surveillance footage while he was away.
When deputies arrived, they heard voices inside the house. After announcing their presence, deputies said the people inside called out, “Who is it?”
Deputies Found Two Masked Men Inside
After entering the home, deputies said they found two masked men hiding in different rooms. Both were taken into custody without incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office said Knowlin and Kelly, both of Georgetown, told deputies they were homeless and thought the home was abandoned. The report did not say the homeowner was inside during the incident, and no injuries were reported.
Jewelry and Small Household Items Were Recovered
Deputies said they recovered jewelry, clothing, purses, wallets, and small housewares from the suspects. Those are the kinds of portable items that can disappear quickly from bedrooms, closets, drawers, entry areas, and storage spaces before a homeowner returns.
WYFF reported that deputies said one of the men had a camouflage bag filled with items later identified as belonging to the homeowner. Both men were being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing, according to WMBF.
The Camera Made the Timeline Faster
Without the alert, the homeowner may not have known anyone had entered the Highmarket Street home until returning later and finding items missing or rooms disturbed.
Instead, the homeowner called 911 while away from the property, and deputies arrived while the suspects were allegedly still inside. For homeowners who use cameras, the case shows why alerts should cover more than the front porch if side doors, back doors, garages, sheds, or vacant-looking areas could be targeted.
The charges and allegations still have to move through the legal process. For homeowners, the practical point is already clear: a camera cannot replace locks, doors, and neighbors, but it can shorten the time between a break-in and a police call.