Central Pa. district judge, constable help capture burglary suspect after 8-block chase

Pa. district judge, constable help nab suspect

LEBANON, Pa. — After nearly two decades as a judge, a former central Pennsylvania police officer hasn’t lost his instincts.

Lebanon District Judge Tom Capello and a constable chased down a juvenile burglary suspect last week after the judge spotted something suspicious at a home across the street from his office.

Capello says he saw the 17-year-old suspect looking into windows then climbing inside.

Capello and constable Jack Shirk knocked on the door, then heard what Capello called a “phony excuse” for the teen being in the house. They staked out the home and began an eight-block chase after the juvenile emerged carrying two laptops.

Police did not identify the suspect because of his age.

Capello was a Lebanon police officer for 15 years before taking a seat on the bench in 1991.