A 19-year-old man was held by a homeowner after he allegedly burglarized a residence in Middletown.
Police were called to Erica Drive near Core Creek Park for a report of a burglary in progress at 2:39 p.m. Responding officers listened as a dispatcher relayed that the homeowner discovered a man in his home and had him detained, according to court papers.
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Officers responded and arrested Zeeshan S. Meer, 19, of Pennington, New Jersey.
Police said that Meer entered the Erica Drive home by forcing open a basement window.
Meer was found with a backpack that belonged to the resident. Inside the backpack, a bottle of wine was discovered, but the origins of the wine were not known, police said.
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While in custody at the Middletown police station, Meer broke a fire suppression system and flooded the holding cell and processing areas, police said.
Firefighters were called to the station for a water flow alarm, according to dispatch records.
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The township fire marshal and public works crews have estimated the damage at more than $3,000 with the repairs ongoing, police said.
Meer was arraigned Friday night before District Judge Daniel Baranoski on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and institutional vandalism. He was sent to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $500,000 bail.
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.
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