College Student Fights Off Armed Burglar: Cops

Police say a 19-year-old college student fought off an armed burglar who tried to steal from his mother's car.

“My dad used to tell me ‘no one can ever hurt you in your house.’”

Those were the words that went through Tom Meehan’s head Saturday night in Royersford, Pa.

The 19-year-old college student was staying at his family’s home on the 100 block of Rosemont Lane when he says he heard a noise coming from the garage. When Tom went to investigate, police say he noticed a masked burglar in black clothing, armed with a knife, rummaging through his mother’s car.

The burglar quickly noticed Tom and went after him, according to police. That’s when Tom’s adrenaline kicked in.

“I was able to grab his wrist, his left arm, bring his arm down and hit him in the elbow as hard as I could, trying to disarm him,” said Tom. “He kind of dropped down, I was able to turn him around and control him and I threw him. He hit his head on that steel beam there.”

The burglar slashed Tom’s leg, chest and arm during the scuffle, according to police. But despite his wounds, police say Tom managed to hold his ground, scaring the burglar off who ran away and escaped through the garage window. Tom’s mother Amy, an emergency room nurse, couldn’t be more proud of her son’s heroism.

“The fact that the youngest of my children defended the house, I can’t say enough about that,” said Amy, who credits Tom’s strength with his skills as an avid rock climber.

“He’s my little brother, but he’s not so little anymore,” said Kim, Tom’s sister.

Police have not released a description of the suspect. If you have any information on the burglar’s identity, please call the Upper Providence Police at 610-933-7899.
 

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