Home alone, girl faces a burglar

EVESHAM – An 11-year-old girl, home alone when burglars entered her house, took refuge by locking herself in a closet, Evesham police say.

But the sanctuary proved short-lived, police said, as an intruder pushed his way into the closet. The child screamed and the burglar fled, police said.

The incident occurred on the 500 block of Justice Drive around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

According to a police account, the girl watched a suspect knock at the front door, then saw him walk to the back door where he forced entry into the home. The girl then tried to hide in a master bedroom closet, leading to her encounter with the intruder.

A witness told police that two males in grey hooded sweatshirts ran from the home. Police believe the intruders had been seeking jewelry in the girl's home.

Officers established a perimeter and deployed a K-9 unit after the incident, but no arrests were made.

Police said the girl called a relative after the incident, and the family member contacted police.

"The child did a great job locking herself in a closet," said Evesham Police Lt. Joseph Friel. "The only advice we could give her is to call 911 immediately and stay on the line with the dispatcher until officers arrived."

Anyone with information is asked to call Evesham police at (856) 983-1116, the Confidential Tip Line at (856) 983-4699 or at Facebook@Eveshampd.org.