A Sellersville man is facing charges after he allegedly broke into JB Cleaners on Park Avenue and stole cash, a computer, and other items, then sent his father to return them after learning police were investigating the incident.
Michael Leeland, 34, has been charged with felony counts of burglary and criminal trespassing, as well as misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and criminal mischief, in connection with the Jan. 11 incident in Sellersville. He’s currently free after posting 10% of $10,000 cash bail.
Police were dispatched to the unit block of Park Avenue during the morning of Jan. 12 for a report of a burglary. The business owners told police their business was secured at 6 p.m. the prior evening, but security footage showed someone was inside of the business around 10 p.m.
Investigators said two basement windows were broken on the sides of the building, and the business owners initially reported that $300 in cash had been stolen, as well as a desktop computer. Police also said a safe was broken into, a corporate seal was missing, and it appeared that an attempt was made to steal a television.
While police were still on scene, Leeland’s father entered the business and returned a computer and $200 in cash, according to the criminal complaint. The father advised Leeland asked him to return the items and cash because he had entered the store the prior evening and taken them, investigators said.
Leeland had told his father that he thought the building was abandoned and had entered through a window, according to the report.
Later, during an interview with investigators, Leeland said he asked his father to return the items after he became aware police were investigating the burglary, the report states. Leeland offered to work for the victims for free, police said, however he was arrested and taken into custody.
Court records show Leeland was arraigned later that evening, and his next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on March 12 at 1:45 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
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