Suspect captured after daytime house break-in

Police officers from eastern Berks County departments searched a wooded area Thursday afternoon, May 4, for a burglary suspect after a Washington Township homeowner was awakened by shattering glass and found a strange man in his kitchen.

After an extensive search, police found the suspect walking along a road in Hereford Township, less than 2 miles north of the victim’s home, investigators said.

Jason A. Cimino, 50, of the 100 block of Edge Hill Road, Douglass Township, was taken into custody. Following arraignment before District Judge Eric J. Taylor in Reading Central Court, Cimino was committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $25,000 to await a hearing.

Cimino faces charges of burglary, trespassing and driving without a license.

According to state police:

Troopers from the Reading station were dispatched at 12:28 p.m. to the 100 block of Hillcrest Road for a burglary in progress. Trooper Eric Sinwich, the first officer to arrive, found a sedan parked two—thirds of the way up the homeowner’s driveway and pulled behind it.

The keys were in the ignition. A check on the vehicle’s registration showed it belonged to Cimino.

The homeowner told Sinwich that he was sleeping after working the overnight shift. He heard a loud crashing sound and went downstairs to investigate.

That’s when he discovered the man later identified as Cimino standing in the kitchen. Shards of the shattered French door were scattered about the floor.

The homeowner confronted Cimino, asking, “What are you doing here?

Cimino replied, “I’m looking for my kids.”

The homeowner said the intruder seemed distraught and acting irrationally. Terrified, the owner, who has no children, replied, “They’re upstairs.”

Cimino immediately went upstairs and returned to the first floor after about a minute.

The homeowner said, “There they go.” He pointed to the backyard and said the children were running into the woods.

Cimino ran through the opening of the glass panel of the sliding door and into the woods.

The owner called 911.

Members of the state police, Eastern Berks Police Department and Bally police searched the area.

Cimino was eventually spotted walking along Huffs Church Road, just east of Diary Lane, in Hereford Township.

Investigators said nothing appeared to be stolen or disturbed within the home after Cimino broke in.

A criminal-history query revealed Cimino’s license had been revoked after four convictions for driving under a suspension.