Essex Barricade Ends With Man Arrested In Attic: Police

ESSEX, MD — A Baltimore man is being held without bail after police said he burglarized a home in Essex, then barricaded himself inside when law enforcement officers arrived. He is also being charged in connection with another burglary case in Baltimore County, according to police.

Authorities were called to the 900 block of Renfrew Street for a report of a burglary in progress at 12:55 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.

Police said the homeowner called 911 after receiving a motion alert from his surveillance system and watched on the interior security cameras as the burglar walked around inside his home.

Devante James Riley, 26, of the 1700 block of McKean Avenue in Baltimore, was arrested inside the home following a barricade that lasted several hours, officials reported.

Authorities said Riley tried to escape through a window when officers arrived, but he retreated. When they tried to communicate with him afterward, they were unsuccessful.

Tactical officers went into the home after 10 p.m. Thursday, found Riley hiding in the attic and detained him, according to officials.

Riley was charged with first and fourth-degree burglary and was served with an arrest warrant charging him with first, third, and fourth-degree burglary and theft in another Baltimore County case, police said.

A judge ruled Friday morning that Riley would be held without bail.

PREVIOUS REPORT: A man was arrested in the attic of an Essex home Thursday night, according to police. He was taken into custody following a barricade that lasted from the afternoon into the evening hours, according to Officer Jennifer Peach, spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Police Department.

Authorities were called to the 900 block of Renfrew Street for a report of a burglary in progress at 12:55 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, Peach said.

After trying to negotiate with the person inside to surrender, police eventually went into the home Thursday night, Peach said.

"...he was discovered in the attic and arrested," Peach told Patch on Friday, April 5.

As of Friday morning, she said that the man was awaiting a bail hearing and more information would be released once that had been completed.