Police: Condo Resident Walks In On 2 Burglars, Is Attacked

An Orangeburg man came home Tuesday afternoon to find two men burglarizing his condo unit and was able to subdue one of the men until police officers arrived, according to Orangetown police.

Police said the burglars attacked the Orangeburg resident in his home and one of them was able to get away during the struggle.

The man who was captured, Jerome Baron, 69, of 2405 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx, is charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny and possession of burglar tools in connection with the 2 p.m. incident at Blue Hill condominiums in Orangeburg. Baron was ordered held in the Rokland County Correctional Facility in New City pending a hearing tonight in Orangetown Town Court in Orangeburg.

Police said that incident began when the Orangeburg resident arrived home and discovered two men in his living room, where they were taking items from a hutch. Police said the two intruders attacked the resident, with the struggle spilling out to a common hall area in the condo building.

During the struggle, police said, the victim defended himself by punching both intruders. Police said that as the victim wrestled with Baron and called out for help, the other intruder dropped a bag of silverware and fled.

When police arrived, they found Baron and arrested him. The condo resident was not injured in the struggle, police said.

The second man involved in the burglary was not found during a search of the area. Police said they are uncertain whether the second man used a vehicle to leave the area.

Police said they are looking for a white male, in his 50s, who wore a long-sleeve shirt and dress pants. Police believe this second man took some items from the condo and had brown gloves.

Baron, police said, was found to have two metal lock picks and a leatherman tool, as well as black gloves.

Police ask that anyone with information about the incident or anyone who might have seen the second man get away call them at 845-359-2121.