BOSTON — A South End couple’s holiday weekend was interrupted by an intruder who crawled through their fourth floor window.
It happened around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night in the 600 block of Mass Ave.
David and Sarah Selkovits just sat down for dinner at a restaurant when they received an alert from their security company.
They told Boston 25 News the suspect climbed up their back fire escape, popped out their kitchen window and crawled inside.
“It’s a very creepy feeling to come into your own house and feel like somebody’s been there,” said David Selkovits. “You feel invaded.”
The couple said they raced home as fast they could get there, worried about their two cats and German Shepherd puppy.
“All we could think of is our cats and dog,” said David. “It’s not something you wish on anybody.”
D4 Boston Police officers were on scene within minutes.
Residents in the area, including neighbors watching from a nearby roof, helped police locate the suspect after he descended into the back alley.
“He obviously wasn’t a master criminal or a jewel thief,” explained David. “He took a remote control, a two dollar bill and a couple of other things.”
Police have identified the suspect who was arrested as 46-year-old Brian McPhee of South Boston.
McPhee is charged with breaking and entering.
Neighbors applaud police for the capture. However, several neighbors told Boston 25 that the arrest is offering little comfort amid current safety concerns in the area.
“I think people are on edge more than ever,” said Bud Larievy, who’s lived in the South End since 1996. “The residents are being victimized because of the number of services concentrated in one area, and that needs to be looked at.
Neighbors who reside in the area dubbed ‘Methadone Mile’ said this alarming burglary is just one example of what they’ve been dealing with.
“Has there been an increase in crime? Yes,” added Larievy. “We’re hoping the city will address this more vigorously.”
The couple whose home was burglarized said they are planning to have burglar bars installed on their back windows in the coming days.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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