A burglary suspect apparently tried to play off the fact that officers had surrounded a neighborhood to look for him by shooting some hoops, according to police.
Credit: Bristol Township Police
Joseph Varra, 29, of Jobstown, N.J., was arrested and charged Monday afternoon with burglary and criminal trespass. He was arraigned and sent to Bucks County prison on 10 percent of $75, 000.
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According to Bristol Township police, officers were called to the 200 block of Red Cedar Drive in Levittown after a teenager called 9-1-1 from a closet to report a burglary in progress around 12:30 p.m. Officers arrived and began to surround the home.
An officer spotted Varra in the backyard. The 29-year-old looked at the officer and said, “hey, how are you?” according to court papers. From there, police said Varra took off on foot toward Rainbow Lane.
Officers lost the suspect on foot and called for officers from Bristol Borough, Middletown and Tullytown to assist in setting up a perimeter, Lt. Terry Hughes told LevittownNow.com.
Credit: Jay Finch/Submitted
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As Hughes and another officer were on Ridge Lane, they spotted a man hop over a fence with a basketball and begin to shoot hoops. One of the three shots missed and began to roll down Ridge Lane; Varra chased after it, Hughes said.
Police said they radioed for a description and realized everything except for the b-baller’s shorts matched the suspect description. Hughes said they believed the man changed into black shorts and ditched his jeans in the 28 minutes between the break-in and his capture.
Credit: Jay Finch/Submitted
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During an afternoon interview with police, Varra admitted to breaking a window at the Red Cedar Drive home and entering the home, according to court papers. The documents also show Varra admitted to running from police and ditching his jeans.
Hughes thanked nearby police agencies who assisted with Varra’s capture. He said the operation was a good example of teamwork.
Varra was charged last week in connection with alleged drug-fueled burglaries in Falls and Middletown in 2012. According to court papers, the 20-year-old told a detective, “I could never go into somebody’s house. That’s just not me.” In that case, Varra was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
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Varra used to live in Falls’ Levittown section with his aunt and uncle, according to court records.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
