Babysitter Held At Gunpoint In South Jersey Home Break-In: Cops

MEDFORD, NJ - A Philadelphia man has been arrested after police say he broke into a home armed with a handgun and threatened a 19-year-old woman who was babysitting a 2-year-old child.

Shannon M. Soroka, 24, was arrested on Friday after police received information from a concerned citizen about the home invasion that happened one day earlier, according to Medford police.

Soroka entered a home on Muirfield Court through the front door late Thursday afternoon, March 21, and threatened the woman with a handgun, Medford police said. He demanded to know where the homeowners kept their money.

Police said Soroka searched the home, but escaped before police arrived. Neither the babysitter nor the child were hurt during the break-in, police said. Police didn't say if anything was stolen from the home.

On Friday, police released a description of Soroka, as well as an image of the car he was driving. He was described as a white man in his late 20s who stands about 5’7” with an average build, blue eyes, short cropped hair and light, well-maintained facial hair. He was wearing "basketball type" yellow, blue, red and white sneakers, workout pants and a dark-colored sweatshirt.

Police also said he was driving a white, four-door sedan, possibly bearing Pennsylvania plates.

A concerned citizen soon came forth, and Soroka was subsequently arrested by police in Philadelphia without incident. He will be transferred to Burlington County Jail.

Soroka is charged with robbery, three counts of burglary, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, criminal mischief and criminal restraint.