A Norristown man is facing multiple charges after investigators said he was involved in eight burglaries and another eight attempted burglaries across multiple Montgomery County municipalities.
Junine Garnett, 21, has been charged with multiple felony counts of burglary of an occupied structure, attempted burglary of an occupied structure and criminal trespass – breaking into a structure, along with misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, in connection with the investigation.
Investigators said the thefts occurred between Aug. 17, 2020 and Sept. 24, 2020, and all incidents occurred while residents were asleep in their homes. The burglaries occurred in multiple municipalities, including Collegeville Borough, East Norriton Township, Lower Providence Township, West Norriton Township and Trappe Borough.
According to a release from the district attorney’s office, there was a “common plan or scheme” to the burglaries, in which Garnett would gain access to homes via unlocked windows and doors, then “ransacked various rooms” and stole items including cash, jewelry, valuable documents and purses. Investigators said several of the incidents produced surveillance footage of Garnett attempting to gain access to a home, and when he could not, he would move on to a neighboring home.
The release states that in one of the overnight burglaries, Garnett was confronted by the homeowner. Garnett then fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a black Mercury Milan that was parked across the street and registered to his mother. A second vehicle associated with the string of burglaries belonged to Garnett’s girlfriend, investigators said.
“These burglaries were opportunistic. The defendant searched for unlocked doors and windows through which to gain entry to homes—he did not break any windows or pry open doors,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “I cannot stress enough that even though you think you live in a ‘safe neighborhood,’ please lock your doors and windows at night. It’s an easy precaution to take.”
Garnett was taken into custody on Tuesday by U.S. Marshals in Harrisburg and was subsequently transported back to Montgomery County for his preliminary arraignment. Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Rebar set bail at $500,000 cash, and he was then transported to county jail after failing to post bail.
His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on June 1 at 1 p.m. in front of Judge Rebar.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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