Upper Gwynedd Police Photo by James Short.
The couple were allegedly nabbed after a neighbor called police to report people using flashlights inside the house at dusk
A husband and wife are facing felony burglary and criminal trespassing charges after being found inside a foreclosed and abandoned Upper Gwynedd home at night, allegedly accessed by keys from a lockbox used by real estate agents.
Ernest J. Roberts, 42, and Clara Vailoces Roberts, 31, of the 800 block of South Broad Street, Upper Gwynedd Township, are also charged with misdemeanor loitering and prowling at night. Ernest also received an additional misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime charge, according to court records.
On Oct. 10, at 6:42 p.m., Upper Gwynedd Police were dispatched to a home on State Street, with a caller reporting a back door open, with people inside with flashlights on the second floor, according to the affidavit.
Police wrote in the complaint they were aware the home was foreclosed and residents were evicted, with the home owned by a bank.
Upon arrival, police saw flashlights in basement windows of the home, as officers approached from the east. Another officer walked toward the back door, located on an elevated deck. As the officer approached the back door, Ernest Roberts, carrying a flashlight, and wearing a red jersey, allegedly walked from the back door, down the stairs.
Walking behind him was his wife, police said.
The real estate agent told police no one has permission to be inside the home, except for the cleaning and junk removal company tasked with removing rubbish and debris, police said.
The agent told police the house was locked, with the rear door secured with a key inside the lockbox, and windows were secured and locked, according to the complaint.
Yet, when police arrived, the box was open and two keys were on a keyring, with one in the lock, police said. A window to the left of the door was also open, police said.
During transport to Montgomery County jail, Clara Roberts allegedly said they entered the home based on the belief that her husband told her they had permission to do so.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
