Police Reports: Burglar Arrested Leaving House

A woman was sitting on the porch during a visit on Benedict Road Wednesday evening when she saw William Varese Jr., 31, shirtless, barefoot and wearing khaki shorts, walk around the house next door, according to police.

Varese appeared to be trying to break in, so the woman called the homeowner, who called police at 5:18 p.m.

Four officers raced to the scene and noticed an air conditioner on the ground below an open window, according to the report.

Lt. Brian McCauley said Varese exited the house moments later, adding he was not cooperative with officers and was arrested.

Sixty-four baseball cards were stuffed in Varese's pockets and a small box with a few baseball cards left in it was found inside the house, according to the report.

The homeowner arrived on the scene and told police the air conditioner was not on the ground when he left the house that morning. A guitar that had been owned by the man's son, who had passed away, was lying next to the air conditioner, according to the report.

A second guitar and a fishing rod had been moved inside the house and pieces of furniture were out of place in the living room, police said.

McCauley said things had also been moved around in the late son's bedroom on the second floor.

Varese of 21 Benedict Road was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree larceny and breach of peace.

Police set bond at $10,000, but a bail commissioner raised it to $20,000, McCauley said. Varese could not post it and was brought to court Thursday morning.