It’s time served for Philly man in burglary of home

MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A suspected burglar caught going through a woman’s belongings in her living room pleaded guilty Monday to criminal trespass, possession of a small amount of marijuana and making repairs or selling an offensive weapon.

Richard Antwan McDowell, 31, of the 1600 block of Dyre Street in Philadelphia, was sentenced to time served to 23 months under a negotiated plea worked out by Assistant District Attorney Brian Doherty and defense counsel Clint Johnson.

McDowell was arrested on the street May 5, 2016, after the victim called police to report the intruder. The woman was upstairs in her home on the first block of South Glen Avenue in Glenolden when she heard her inner and outer door open and close, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Upon heading downstairs, she found McDowell going through her things and confronted him. McDowell allegedly told the woman he wanted to see her electric bill. The victim pushed him toward the front door and out of her house before calling police.

Officers Raymond Stilwell and Sgt. Eric Gensemer stopped a man matching the description given by the victim on the nearby Ashland Avenue bridge. McDowell provided his name and admitted to the officers that he entered the house with the intention of discussing energy bills, according to the affidavit.

The victim identified McDowell as the man she found in her living room. He was taken into custody and searched. Police found a small baggie of marijuana as well as a spring-loaded knife.

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard Cappelli gave McDowell credit for time served from May 5 through June 9, 2016. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim and pay a $100 cost assessment.