Man Admits To Burglarizing Philadelphia Convent On Consecutive Nights
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Investigators say a 26-year-old South Philadelphia man has confessed to burglarizing the St. Gabriel's Convent on back-to-back nights in October.
In addition, authorities say there's evidence the suspect has been involved in other crimes, including a purse snatching at a McDonald's and two break-ins, one of which turned violent.
Detective Justin Frank says defendant William Hagans admitted to the convent burglaries.
A sister has testified over $1,800, most of it for food and Christmas presents for the poor, was stolen.
Prosecutor Noel Ann DeSantis has presented evidence Hagans was also involved in a robbery and assault, also in October.
"A grandmother is basically having dinner with her adult daughter and her grandchildren and he runs off with their pocketbooks and he is caught with Good Samaritans chasing him and police arrested him within a half an hour," DeSantis explained.
During a bail hearing, DeSantis told the court fingerprints have linked Hagans to two incidents last summer, including a break-in and assault in which a man was slashed on the hand with a knife.
In the statement, DeSantis blames a drug problem and says he is bi-polar. The defense attorney declined comment after the hearing.
Hagans has been ordered to stand trial. He remains in police custody.
