Glocester man foils would-be house burglar in foot pursuit

GLOCESTER — A St. James Lane man was outside on his rider mower Tuesday when he saw a stranger leap from a window of his home and started chasing him.

The homeowner, Christopher Harkness, and other members of his family, chased William Phipps on foot for about a quarter mile before they captured him. Police say Phipps was in possession of an assortment of jewelry that belonged to the Harkness family and was later charged with breaking and entering a dwelling when a resident is home, a felony, and misdemeanor larceny.

He was released on $25,000 surety bail pending a hearing in Third District Court, Warwick, on Nov. 2, according to the judiciary’s web site.

Phipps, 55, of Bath Street, Providence, allegedly entered the residence while Harkness, unaware of the break, mowed the lawn while waiting for other family members to come home.

When they arrived, shortly before 11:30 a.m., they found Phipps inside. The intruder ran to a room on a lower level of the house, pushed out a window screen and started running.

“When Harkness saw Phipps jump out the window, he dismounted his lawn

mower and gave chase to Phipps, with the assistance of the family members who found Phipps inside the home,” Capt. Joseph Mattera said.

The foot chase ended near Harmony Farms, off Saw Mill Road. When police arrived Phipps was being restrained by members of the Harkness family, including Christopher.