Burglary Charges Filed After Break-In At Abington Home: Police

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Felony burglary charges have been filed against a New York City man in connection with burglaries in Abington Township.

According to police, Alexander Beltran-Ortiz, 25, Queens, New York, is charged with five felony counts of burglary.

Police said they identified Beltran-Ortiz, who was already in custody Rikers Island Prison in New York, as the suspect through DNA evidence gathered from the scene of an August 2022 break in.

On Aug. 9, 2022, a burglary occurred at the home of an Asian American business owner on Andrew Road in Huntingdon Valley.

Police said the break-in occurred while the victims were working at their business in Philadelphia.

Three men, with their faces concealed by masks, came to the victim’s home under the guise of a fake pizza delivery to ensure that no one was home.

Police said they then forced their way into the home and stole more than $10,000 in cash, jewelry, and valuable items including a child’s violin and piggy bank.

Beltran-Ortiz was arrested in July with the help of the New York Police Department and Nassau County Detectives, police said.

He was arraigned and then released after posting $1,000 bail.

Police said they recommended $100,000 cash bail due to the seriousness of the crime and Beltran-Ortiz’s transient status, as he had recently provided addresses in New York, Florida and Texas.

Beltran-Ortiz's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20.

Abington Police said this follows a trend of thieves targeting the homes of Asian American business owners due to the stereotype that Asian business owners have items of high value in their homes.

"The suspects have been known to case Asian-owned businesses to learn the life patterns of the owners, and following them home from work to learn where they live," police said. "While the victims are at work on a future day, the suspects will break into their homes to steal cash and valuables."

According to police, this is a national trend

Abington Township Police advises business owners take the following preventive steps:

• Be aware of cars in the neighborhood that aren’t normally there
• Be aware of anyone who might be following you home
• Give thought to how you secure valuables in your house
• Motion sensor lighting on the front and back of a home will help deter break-ins
• Install surveillance cameras on or around the home and business
• Consider having a home or business alarm system installed