Police Nab Suspected Burglar

Police have arrested the "brazen" man believed to be responsible for in Hatboro and Upper Moreland on Valentine's Day.

Gerald F. Sutliff, 29, who Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner said has "no fixed address," but stays in both Philadelphia and Warminster, was arrested on Feb. 16 in connection with four residential burglaries in Hatboro, as well a burglary in Upper Moreland. 

Hatboro and Upper Moreland police filed charges against Sutliff in Hatboro District Court on Tuesday stemming from the burglaries, as well as one count of criminal attempt for allegedly attempting to break into a home in the 200 block of East Moreland Avenue on Feb 14. He was charged with multiple counts of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.

Sutliff is incarcerated in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu $100,000 bail.

Last week, Gardner had said two homes each on Warminster Road and Byberry Avenue were broken into sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Feb. 14 and small items which could be carried easily and converted to cash - including jewelry and a laptop - were stolen. Gardner said there was also a burglary on County Line Road in Upper Moreland. 

On Feb. 16 Hatboro and Upper Moreland Police coordinated a surveillance of a subject that fit the description of an individual that was reported by witnesses to have been in the area of the burglarized homes on Feb. 14. The individual was reportedly pulling a suitcase on the day of the burglaries and someone matching the description, who was also pulling a suitcase, was located in the same area the day the arrest was made, on Feb. 16.

Police officers from both departments watched as the male subject moved throughout residential neighborhoods in the northeast section of Hatboro and along County Line Road in Upper Moreland and observed the subject knocking on doors. Upon receiving no response the subject tried to enter the homes.

Sutliff was stopped by police at the Hatboro train station on Feb. 16 and was arrested for attempting to burglarize the homes earlier that day. Sutliff was with a female acquaintance on Feb. 16, but police do not believe she was involved in the Feb. 14 burglaries. 

During an interview with police, Sutliff admitted to committing the Valentine's Day burglaries. These burglaries were of similar scheme and design and occurred in the same area.