Police Beat

36-year-old, Walid Esmat Mitwalli is being held without bail in the stabbing death of his wife. Hatfield Township Police say, officers were called to the 2900 block of Denbeigh Drive at around 3:30 Friday morning for a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived they found Mona Elswedy Mitwalli unresponsive. Police say the 30-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her husband. The couple, who have two children, were in the process of divorce. The Montgomery County D.A.’s office charged Mitwalli Friday night with 1^st degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime. Mitwalli faces a preliminary hearing on June 17^th.

Tristan Stahley, the 16-year-old accused of his stabbing his girlfriend to death, 17-year-old, Jilianne Siller, was to appear before a judge on Wednesday, but his hearing will be continued at the request his attorney. Stahley’s new court date has not been scheduled. According to police records, Stahley stabbed Siller multiple times in an rage after an argument continued to boil over from his parents home in Skippack to Palmer Park on the night of May 25th. Stahley is being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail. Police charged the 16-year-old as an adult with first and third degree murder in the death of Siller. The 17-year-old was laid to rest on May 31st.

Burglars often avoid apprehension, but considering current technology available to police, it’s not wise to leave blood at the scene. According to Lansdale Borough Police, that’s exactly what happened concerning a burglary in December of 2011, almost two years ago. Police says Leroy Goins was the man who burglarized a home on the 400 block of West 6th street. Police say, Goins entered the home by smashing out a basement window, but left a drop of his blood on one of the steps inside the basement. Goins made off with nearly 2,000 dollars worth of valuables from the home. The blood sample from the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab conclusively linked Goins to the burglary. Goins is behind bars awaiting his sentence on another burglary. He now faces a new slew of charges in connection with the West 6th street burglary, including burglary, theft and conspiracy to commit burglary, along with criminal trespassing.

The use of surveillance cameras to deter crime continues to a source of crime fighting for police agencies. Montgomery County Commissioner, Bruce Castor says, cameras are key in stopping crime and catching people who carry out acts of violence and drug dealing.

“I think that the municipalities are missing an opportunity if they don’t take advantage of the technology that’s out there. I remember we did a case on Marshall street in Norristown, where I put up a bunch of pole cameras and just watched the activity for a period of time.”

Castor, a former District Attorney, also acknowledges that police in patrol cars and officers walking the beat are also vital in fighting crime. Castor was a guest on the WNPV Program Security Advisors on Radio, which airs every Monday at 11:10 on AM-1440