Community Corner

Basement Tenant Who Allegedly Threatened to Kill Landlord Turns Himself In

William Keith Kane, 23, of Lansdale, was wanted for felony assault by police for allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill the landlord of the Franklin Street home where he lived with a knife and tire iron.

The basement tenant accused of threatening to kill his landlord with a knife and tire iron has turned himself in to Lansdale Police, reports Michael Goldberg of The Reporter.

Kane, 23, of Franklin Street in Lansdale, is charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime, three counts of misdemeanor simple assault, misdemeanor reckless endangerment and summary harassment, according to court records.

Kane was arraigned Monday afternoon before District Judge Andrea Duffy, who set bail at 10 percent of $10,000 cash, according to court records. He remain incarcerated at Montgomery County prison.

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A preliminary hearing is set for March 28 at 10:30 a.m. in Lansdale.

Kane lived in the basement at 400 Franklin St., police said. The homeowner was Kane's landlord.

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A felony warrant has been issued against Kane for the alleged assault at the same address, police said.

On March 8, Kane allegedly grabbed a knife and "raised it up in a striking fashion," while walking toward the homeowner. This, after the homeowner told Kane he was behind on rent and breaking house rules, police said.

Kane, who lived in the basment since December, screamed that he wasn't going to pay the rent and he was allegedly going to kill him, police said.

The homeowner grabbed Kane's arm and wrestled it away, getting cut on his hand in the process, police said.

He fled upstairs from Kane, and locked the door separating living spaces, police said.

The next morning, Kane left and returned home, upon which the homeowner asked for Kane's house key. Kane refused and allegedly picked up a tire iron and threatened to kill the homeowner, police said.

The man fled inside and called police. 

Upon arrival, Kane was gone.

Police believed Kane was in the Boyertown area.

Kane was criminally charged in October 2009 for misdemeanor use and possession of drug paraphernalia and summary purchasing alcohol beverages by a minor, according to court records. The latter charge was withdrawn at a preliminary hearing.


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