Early on Sunday morning, a resident in Lower Moreland Township was startled to see a man inside their house.
Just before 4 a.m., officers were called to the 2300 block of Pine Road in reference to a reported armed break-in.
Ihor Liakhovych was discovered inside the house with stains on his clothes and a strong alcoholic beverage odour, according to the police. He had no weapons with him.
When the resident returned home from work that morning, they told police they discovered Liakhovych dozing off on a chair.
At the moment, the side entry door was unlocked, and he was close to it.
Liakhovych was taken into custody and accused of public intoxication and nighttime prowling.
Liakhovych admitted to authorities that he had been drinking at a pub earlier that night and that he had no idea how he got inside the house.
If you ever find an unknown person inside your home, especially someone who may be intoxicated or confused, follow these important steps to stay safe:
Stay Calm and Avoid Confrontation
- Do not panic or try to physically confront the person.
- Your safety is the top priority.
Leave the House Safely If You Can
- If there is a clear and safe exit path, leave the house immediately.
- Take your phone and go to a safe location, such as a neighbor’s home or your car.
Call 911 Immediately
- Report the intruder and give your location.
- Inform them whether the person seems dangerous, intoxicated, or confused.
- Mention if the person appears armed or unarmed (but do not attempt to find out yourself).
Avoid Engaging the Intruder
- If you can’t leave safely, quietly retreat to a secure room, lock the door, and call police.
- Speak calmly if the intruder engages you, but don’t give them personal information or provoke them.
Let Police Handle the Situation
- Follow all instructions from law enforcement once they arrive.
- Do not return to the intruder or interfere with the officers.
After the Incident
- Secure your home: Change locks if necessary and always keep doors and windows locked.
- Install security measures: Cameras, motion sensors, or alarm systems can prevent future incidents.
- Talk to neighbors: Let them know what happened so they can also be alert.
- Consider counseling: If you or family members feel anxious or unsafe after the experience, take therapy sessions.
