Arrest made in attempted break-in
A woman called police after spotting a man outside with a flashlight.
A Monessen man is charged with burglary after allegedly attempting to break into a home over the weekend.
Brennan Robert Breakwell, 34, is charged with three counts each of criminal attempt burglary and criminal trespassing – breaking into a structure, theft from a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at nighttime.
Police were called to a home on Center Drive shortly after midnight Sunday for a report of someone trying to break into the residence.
According to the caller, an unidentified man had a flashlight and was trying to get into her window while she and her two young children were home.
Monessen police called Charleroi Regional to assist. They said they found Breakwell at the home and ordered him to the ground with weapons drawn.
He was placed under arrest without incident.
The woman told police Breakwell knocked on her front door and when he couldn’t open it went to a far left window that was also locked and tried to pull it open.
She said he then tried the side door to gain entry while her two young children were awake watching TV.
She called 911 while they were hiding under a bed waiting for police to arrive.
According to police, Breakwell told officers it was his home, but when they knocked on the door and asked the witness, she told officers he did not live there and she had no idea who he was.
Breakwell apologized and told officers it was his childhood home. He then told officers his address on State Road, the affidavit states.
Police said that during the investigation they found several items sitting on the hood of a car parked in the driveway including about $5 found in the center console and cupholder, a child’s hat, an empty hand sanitizer bottle and two empty water bottles.
The woman told police the items were hers and did not belong to Breakwell.
There were also papers on the front seat of the vehicle that did not belong to her, an affidavit states.
Breakwell is being held in the Westmoreland County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond.
A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Wayne Vlasic is set for 10 a.m. Aug. 8.
