Woman wakes to burglar standing over her

Pleasant Gap, Pa. — A woman woke up to a woman standing over her bed and screaming, police say.

Sarah Shaner Borchardt allegedly entered the apartment in the 300 block of South Main Street just after 6 a.m. after pulling two screens off front windows, Spring Township Police Officer Christopher Snare said. The 39-year-old Borchardt accused the alleged victim of stealing, Snare added.

The resident forced Borchardt out the front door, according to the complaint. Borchardt allegedly threatened to call police before leaving the area.

The woman showed police a picture of Borchardt and pointed out the screens that were taken out of the window, Snare wrote. She told police she wouldn’t leave them open because she has cats, according to Snare. She didn’t park in her driveway that night and believed Borchardt might have thought the apartment was empty.

Investigators found fingerprints on the outside window ledge leading to the apartment, according to the report. There were also “markings” on the inside, showing were Borchardt climbed through.

A neighbor smoking a cigarette that morning spoke with Borchardt, according to Snare. He said Borchardt asked about a green tote on the apartment building's porch before walking around the apartment building and leaving in a light gray SUV, Snare added.

Police and the victim found the tote on a patio outside a nearby home, according to the affidavit. There were clothes, empty boxes, shoes, and other miscellaneous items covered in red confetti inside. Investigators learned State College police officers spoke with Borchardt two days after the tote was found. A picture taken from bodycam footage showed a similar tote with Borchardt, according to the complaint.

Police went to Borchardt’s apartment in the 300 block of West Crestview Avenue after learning her address from State College police officers. Red confetti was found on Borchardt’s front porch. Borchardt confessed to entering the victim’s apartment, and claimed there was stolen property inside the home.

Borchardt is being charged with burglary and criminal trespassing. Both are graded as felonies. Borchardt is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

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