Alleged Lansdale Burglar Headed to Trial

A Lansdale man — convicted of theft and currently on trial for prowling and felony trepass — waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday at Lansdale district court on 19 charges, including felony burglary, stemming from a Jan. 12 arrest.

Police said Ronald E. Solomon Jr., 31, of the 100 block of S. Chestnut St., allegedly robbed scrap metal from Mattero's Recycling in broad daylight, hid it at Major Clean Car Wash, fled from police and ran six stop signs, and broke into and hid out at his ex-wife's house in Montgomery Township, while she, her husband and child were home.

Solomon faces the following charges in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas:

• Felony burglary
• Felony criminal trespassing
• Misdemeanor theft
• Misdemeanor receiving stolen property
• Misdemeanor fleeing from police
• Misdemeanor criminal trespassing
• Misdemeanor disorderly conduct
• Criminal mischief
• Three counts of trespassing by vehicle
• Reckless driving
• Careless driving
• Six counts of failure to stop at a stop sign

Dan Sokil of The Reporter wrote Solomon received a bail reduction from $5,000 to 10 percent of $5,000 as part of an agreement for waiving the hearing.

Here's what police said went down:

On Jan. 12, at 7:51 a.m., Lansdale Police were dispatched to the area of 316 W. Seventh St. for a report of a theft in progress.

A witness reported that she saw a man with black sweatpants and a black sweatshirt at Hoffman Electrical inside a blue SUV, according to the criminal complaint.

The man walked between Hoffman Electric and Mattero's Recycling and was seen loading scrap metal into the vehicle, police said.

Upon arrival, police located a blue 1999 Chevrolet Blazer, which was owned and operated by Solomon, according to the affidavit.

Police attempted to pull the vehicle over, but Solomon allegedly fled eastbound on West Fifth Street, police said.

Solomon allegedly sped through a stop sign at Walnut Street, turned right on Walnut and then left back onto West Fifth Street, police said.

Solomon allegedly sped through two more stop signs, crossed over North Broad Street onto East Fifth Street, and then crossed over Line Street, police said.

He entered the driveway of Zion Presbyterian Church (Korean Mission) and exited westbound into an alley, police said.

Solomon continued to right on Ridge Street and crossed over East Seventh Street, allegedly driving through a stop sign, police said. 

Solomon then drive onto Oak Drive and through another stop sign, police said. While on Oak Drive, he allegedly drove the Blazer onto residential property, causing ruts in the grass, police said.

Solomon then made a right onto Line Street without stopping at the stop sign, police said. 

Officers then lost contact with Solomon's car, police said. During the pursuit, Solomon also allegedly drove through a residential area at a high rate of speed and with disregard for the safety of the public, police said.

After eluding police, Solomon allegedly went to Major Clean Car Wash on North Broad Street and dropped off the scrap metal, police said.

From there, Solomon drove to the 200 block of Pioneer Drive, where his ex-wife resides, police said. The ex-wife, her husband and her son were inside sleeping, police said.

Solomon allegedly entered the home by forcing his way through basement window via removing the screen and pushing it open, police said. After entry, Solomon opened the garage door and pulled his Blazer into the garage, according to the affidavit.

Solomon's ex-wife heard the door open and was unsure who it was, police said. When she went to the front steps, she saw Solomon standing at the bottom, police said.

He allegedly said to her, "The cops are looking for me," according to the complaint.

The ex-wife called 911 to report a suspicious person in her home, according to the complaint. Montgomery Township Police respodned and allegedly found Solomon hiding in the bathroom, police said. 

Several tools were found outside the window, according to the affidavit.

Montgomery Township Police detained Solomon until Lansdale Police arrived to take him into custody at 9:26 a.m., according to the affidavit.

After being read his rights at Lansdale Police headquarters, Solomon allegedly admitted to climbing over the fence of Mattero's and taking scrap metal, according to the affidavit. Solomon also allegedly admitted to driving the SUV and fleeing from police, according to the affidavit, and dropping the scrap metal at Major Clean.

Joe Mattero of Mattero's Recycling valued the scrap metal at $1,269.26.

The property owner of Pioneer Drive pressed charges against Solomon for breaking into the home, according to the complaint.

Solomon .

At his hearing for that case, Solomon apologized to Lansdale Officer Joel Greco for defacing the home. The property owner was present at the courthouse.

"I apologize for breaking the window," Solomon said. "I'll make sure it is taken care of."

Solomon said he was having a bad day when he allegedly broke the window of the home, which was posted "No Trespassing."

Solomon was chased and eventually tackled in the property of a home near Penn Street. He allegedly resisted arrest, police said.

Police found tools in Solomon's alleged possession, police said. Tools were also found by a broken window of the home where a resident saw Solomon, police said.

Read more:

• Convicted Thief Busted for Alleged Prowling