A Pennsylvania home that had already been ransacked became the scene of another police response days later, when officers say they found six juveniles at the property.
West Side Regional Police said the case began on June 13 after officers responded to a reported burglary at a residence on Jackson Street in Edwardsville. Times Leader reported that police found the home had been forcibly entered and extensively ransacked.
Officers stopped two juveniles in the area that day, but police said they could not connect them to the burglary at the time.
Police returned to the home at about 2:10 a.m. Tuesday. For property owners, the case turns on a frustrating part of any break-in. Once a door, window, or other entry point has been damaged, the house can stay vulnerable until it is secured again.
Police Say Three Teens Were Inside The House
When officers came back to the property, police said they encountered three juveniles inside the home and three more outside. All six were detained, according to Times Leader. Police said the juveniles were male and ranged in age from 13 to 17.
Three were from Wilkes-Barre, two were from Edwardsville, and one was from Swoyersville, police said.
One Teen Had Been Reported Missing
Police said one of the juveniles had been reported missing from Edwardsville. After the teens were identified, officers notified their parents or guardians.
Times Leader reported that all six juveniles are facing burglary and related offenses.
A Damaged Home Needs Fast Securing
The reports do not say what was taken from the home or whether anyone was living there when police first responded.
St. Petersburg Police burglary-prevention guidance says burglars often look for homes with easy access, cover, and escape routes. The department also advises securing accessible windows, using strong exterior doors and locks, and keeping alarm response contacts current.
After a break-in, property owners should make the damaged entry point secure quickly, check locks and windows, save photos for police or insurance, and ask a trusted neighbor to watch the property while repairs are pending.