Man Brought Girlfriend's Daughter, 11, To Help With Bensalem Burglary: PD

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — A Croydon man is in custody after trying to commit a burglary with his girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter helping him, police said.

Bensalem Police have charged James Harkless-Dechellis, 41, of Croydon after catching him trying to burglarize a commercial office building in the 3100 block of Tremont Avenue at 12:29 p.m. on Wednesday.

Police said that Harkless-Dechellis brought his girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter with him and instructed her to hold a flashlight while he committed the crime.

Police found that a side glass door to the building had been shattered and forced open. While conducting a search, officers heard noises from inside the building and located an adult male in a rear equipment room, actively cutting and removing copper wiring.

Police also recovered numerous tools and containers filled with previously cut wire from inside the building. During the investigation, police said Harkless-Dechellis admitted to entering the building with the intent to steal copper wire for resale.

Harkless-Dechellis was charged with Burglary, Corruption of Minors, and related offenses.

He was arraigned by District Judge Falcone, who set bail at 10 percent of $150,000. He was taken to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.