The would-be burglar was already known to local police.
EAST GREENWICH TWP. -- Police stopped a burglary in the Mickleton section of the township on Tuesday afternoon.
Zephan D. Robinson (file photo) A resident spotted a man behaving suspiciously in his neighbor's yard at about 1:30 p.m., police said. Knowing the man did not live in the house, the resident called law enforcement. While he was on the phone with an officer, the resident watched as 19-year-old Zephan Robinson climbed into the house through a window. Police did not name a specific address.
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Officers from East Greenwich and Greenwich townships arrived on the scene while Robinson was still in the house. When he saw officers approaching, he tried to flee. Police cordoned off a section of the neighborhood until they found Robinson after a short foot pursuit. No one was injured.
"We'd like to praise the resident," police said. "He was vigilant in looking out for his neighbor. He did exactly what he should've done. If you see something unusual, report it to us."
Robinson is known to local law enforcement, investigators added. This past winter, he was charged in connection with a failed bank robbery in Woodbury. Just over a year ago, he faced burglary charges for allegedly trying to sell items that had been stolen in East Greenwich. This time, Robinson was charged with burglary, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and resisting by flight. He was held at the Salem County Jail.
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
