Attempted Burglary Stopped

**ChamberedRound** · April 1st, 2013, 12:02 PM

From the Reading Eagle. Yet another homeowner successfully safeguarding their home, and the firearm didn't even have to be used. Imagine that.

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=464744

Exeter homeowner holds burglar at gunpoint, police say
Reading Eagle

A Pennside man broke through the front door of an Exeter Township home early Sunday only to find himself facing the barrel of a shotgun, township police said.

Officers arrived at the home in the 500 block of Church Lane Road and found would-be burglar Alexander D. Diaz-Cruz on the floor being held at gunpoint by homeowner Martin Zellers, police said.

Diaz-Cruz, 24, of the 700 block of North 25th Street was charged with burglary, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief.

He was arraigned Sunday before District Judge Gail M. Greth and committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

According to police:

Nicole Zellers called 9-1-1 just before 3 a.m. and said a man was banging on the front door trying to get in and that her husband was getting his shotgun.

The Zellers said they did not know Diaz-Cruz. They said they yelled at him to stop, but he only did so when confronted by the shotgun.