Norristown Man Broke Into Lansdale Home, Abused Kitten: Police

North Penn Now Staff•

Dion Murph, 26, of Norristown.

(Editor’s note: Due to the nature of the incident and investigation, some details are being withheld to protect the victims.)

A Norristown man is facing felony charges after he allegedly broke into an ex-girlfriend’s Lansdale home and abused her 6-month-old kitten.

According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to the scene at 9 p.m. on Aug. 3 for a report of a domestic incident. Once on location, police met with the victim, who stated that their daughter and grand-daughter were outside looking for their kitten. The three then went inside and spoke with police.

The victim said that while the three of them were leaving the residence at 4 p.m., they allegedly noticed a man—identified as 26-year-old Dion Murph—in the area of the apartment. They also told police that the daughter has an active protection from abuse order against Murph. The victim said that when they arrived home just before 9 p.m., they entered their bedroom and allegedly saw Murph hiding under a blanket. They confronted him as to why he was in the home, and he then left, the report states.

The family then called police.

The ensuing investigation uncovered that Murph had allegedly gained access to the apartment via a window-unit air conditioner in the grand-daughter’s room. Police found Murph in nearby bushes and took him into custody without incident, police said.

The report states that the family was very upset about not being able to find the kitten, and told police that they thought Murph may have done something to it. When asked, Murph allegedly told police that the cat had gotten out of the residence, the report states.

As police were at the station processing Murph, they received another call from the victim, stating that they had found the kitten and taken it to the vet. The victim advised police that the kitten was discovered in a tightly-wrapped towel with plastic bags placed on top of it. According to the report, the vet said that the kitten was struggling to breathe and was minimally responsive. The report adds that it was unknown if the kitten would survive.

During a search of his person, police also discovered that Murph had allegedly stolen an Amazon package from the victim’s neighbor. Police contacted the recipient, who confirmed that the package had been stolen, the report states.

As a result of the investigation, Murph has been charged with felony counts of burglary, criminal trespassing and aggravated cruelty to animals, as well as misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and cruelty to animals.

Murph was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Albert Augustine, who set bail at $25,000 cash. Murph was then remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail.

His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Aug. 21 at 9:45 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine.

(Editor's note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records, the affidavit of probable cause, and reflects the point of view of the police. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)