May 22, 2014 2 min read

A 17-year-old Chartiers Township boy is in a juvenile detention facility after his arrest Wednesday for allegedly breaking into two homes early Monday.

Township police Chief James M. Horvath credits quick work in gathering evidence by the officers who responded to the 911 calls about the break-ins. He also praised the efforts of his detectives to quickly identify and take into custody the young suspect.

Detective Sgt. Steven Horvath said one of the homes was on Silver Maples Street and the other on McGovern Road.

Both homes were entered between 1 and 2 a.m.

The home on Silver Maples was entered first, likely through a door, the detective said. A 16-year-old girl awoke to find the 17-year-old standing in her room.

“She asked him what he was doing,” Horvath said. “He panicked and fled out of the house. He didn’t take anything.”

A short time later, a teenage girl sleeping on the couch in the living room of her home awoke to find the boy standing in the room.

“She asked him what he wanted,” Horvath said. “When he didn’t answer, she ran to her room, locked the door and called her mom, who was also in the home, on her cellphone.”

The officers on patrol that night found a jacket and other evidence reportedly left behind by the 17-year-old. Horvath said both girls were frightened by the experience.

“My guys did a great job,” the chief said of the officers. “We were able to develop a suspect very early in the investigation. They were able to get a confession from the boy.”

The chief said his officers kept tabs on the 17-year-old as detectives developed the case.

The boy was charged in a juvenile allegation with two counts each of burglary, criminal trespass and attempted theft. He was then turned over to a Washington County juvenile probation officer for placement.