James Harkless-Dechellis, 41, enlisted his girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter before the dubious duo were caught red-handed targeting a commercial office building on Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. on May 27, officers from the Bensalem Police Department were called to investigate a reported burglary-in-progress at the business in the 3100 block of Tremont Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers found a side glass door that had been shattered and forced open. While searching the property, officers reported hearing noises from inside the building and found Harkless-Dechellis in a back room cutting and removing copper wiring.

The Croydon resident was taken into custody without incident, while officers recovered numerous tools and containers filled with previously cut wire from inside the building.

Then the investigation took a strange turn.

According to the department, Harkless-Dechellis admitted to entering the building with the intent to steal the copper wiring and resell it. 

Investigators later learned he had brought his girlfriend’s daughter with him and instructed the 11-year-old to hold a flashlight while he committed the burglary.

Harkless-Dechellis was charged with:

Burglary;Corruption of minors;Related offenses.

He was held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility after he was unable to post bond.


to follow Daily Voice

Bensalem

and receive free news updates.