STURBRIDGE, Mass. (WHDH) — Police said just after midnight Monday, a man drove around a Sturbridge neighborhood to look for a house to rob. Police believed 27-year-old Daniel Orneas targeted the house that he believed was empty, but a woman was asleep downstairs.
“She heard the door get kicked or forced open then heard the person upstairs above her. She locked the bedroom door and she knew to call 911,” said Sgt. Kevin Mercier of the Sturbridge Police Dept.
During her phone call, the victim’s cellphone signal kept dropping out and she had to call back several times. In the passing minutes, police said Orneas took a safe, a computer printer and scanner, plus cash.
“She was terrified. She was scared to death,” Sgt. Mercier said.
“Scary; glad she didn't get hurt,” said Robert Knight, a neighbor.
The woman said she saw the man drive away with her belongings. She was able to relay that information to police. After a brief pursuit, officers stopped him.
“He was taken out of the car. It was a felony stop. He was handcuffed in the street,” said Sgt. Kevin Mercier, Sturbridge Police Dept.
Police also found jewelry on him leading them to believe that he recently had done some other robberies. The suspect from Lowell was being held on high bail.