Alleged "knock-knock" burglars nabbed

Two men suspected of what investigators call "knock-knock" burglaries were charged with multiple counts of burglary and related offenses Thursday by Westtown-East Goshen detectives.

Westtown-East Goshen Sgt. William Cahill was patroling the area of Westbourne Road after two residences had doors kicked in last month and valuables stolen, the criminal complaint said. Cahill said burglars often knock loudly at homes and if no one answers, force their way in. If someone comes to the door, they offer a phony excuse, such as needing assistance with directions or pretending to look for someone who doesn't reside at that address.

Cahill saw a suspicious male leaving a residence with a backpack and walking toward a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The driver saw Cahill's police vehicle and exited the area without picking up his companion, the complaint said. The man with the backpack, Daniel Hopfer, 24, of Honey Brook, was questioned and eventually admitted that he was in the area to burglarize homes. He said he and his accomplice, Curtis Mimm, 20, of Honey Brook, burglarized three nearby homes, the complaint said. He told police that when a homeowner answered the door, he would ask for directions and leave.

Later on Thursday, Mimm was stopped by West Whiteland Township police, who found small blue bags consistent with heroin packaging in his Jeep. Both defendants were remanded to Chester County Prison after failing to post bail to await a preliminary hearing on Nov. 10, court records said. Cahill said both men denied involvement in the two burglaries that led to the surveillance of the area. The investigation is continuing, he said.