Radnor police search for burglar who took public transit

Radnor Township police hope footage of a burglary suspect they said used the Norristown High Speed Line to make a quick getaway will help identify him and lead to an arrest.

Police said Thursday that a 79-year-old woman returned to her home on Hawthorne Road around 11 a.m. April 17 to find an unknown man had broken in through the front door.

"Get inside and don't say anything," he allegedly ordered the victim, who, police said, ignored the command, fled to a neighbor's house, and called 911.

Witnesses reported that the man then headed toward the rail line. Security footage provided by SEPTA shows the man boarding with a suitcase that was reported stolen from the home.

"Are the police following me? Are the police after me?" the man allegedly asked a fellow passenger, police said.

Radnor Police Lt. Chris Flanagan said the video showed the suspect changing out of a dark jacket to avoid being detected. "We believe that he had done this before," Flanagan said, referring to the theft.

Police are looking for a male in his 20s or 30s who left the railcar at the Parkview station. A reward of $2,500 has been issued for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information is urged to contact Radnor police at 610-688-0503.