1 dead, 1 in custody after burglars barricade inside Delco home, sources say

An investigation is underway after a burglary escalated into a barricade situation on Tuesday night in Delaware County, leaving one person dead and another in custody, sources told NBC10.

Sources also said the individual taken into custody was not cooperating with investigators earlier in the day.

The incident began around 9:30 p.m. on Rhodes Avenue in Collingdale and lasted into the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 8, creating a tense and chaotic scene for neighbors.

“So sad. Sad and scary. Scary for the most part,” said Shawnae Lane, who lives in the neighborhood.

Witnesses captured video as SWAT teams slowly moved down the block and focused on a home at the end of the street. According to sources, two burglars broke into the house and barricaded themselves inside.

A neighbor said a Ring camera alert first tipped them off to the break-in at a home that was unoccupied.

“About 9:30, my brother’s girlfriend gets an alert from the Ring camera,” he said.

The man said his brother is currently out of town and that they were trying to keep an eye on the property.

“He’s out of town and he has nice stuff in his house. So, we was just trying to house sit for him,” he said.

Sources identified the homeowner as Michael Robinson, who was taken into custody in February after police said the 43-year-old had sexual contact with an underage girl in Texas. Officials said he worked as an aide at Radnor Township Middle School.

Video from the camera appeared to show two people entering Robinson’s home and placing items into a bag.

“Two guys come in the house. One guy came in through the back. He opened the front door for the other guy and you see them with a trash bag putting sneakers and clothes and stuff inside the trash bag,” the witness said.

Neighbors said the standoff stretched into the early morning. At one point, firefighters responded after the home caught fire.

“I seen a lot of police activity. I see the tear gas going into the house. Telling them to come outside with your hands up. I did see one come out. But I didn’t see the other one come out,” Lane said.

Authorities have not yet announced charges.

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office said it is not commenting because the investigation remains active.

Sources said detectives are working to determine whether the home was specifically targeted since Robinson is still in jail.