McMichael
A Northeast Philadelphia resident and volunteer suburban firefighter was arrested by police in Bensalem on Sunday after he allegedly broke into the home of a 17-year-old girl and tried to kidnap her.
Shane Joseph McMichael, 21, of the 10000 block of Kirby Drive, reportedly grew up in the Cornwells Heights section of Bensalem and had just finished a tour of duty with the Cornwells Fire Company at about 10 p.m. when he went to the 2500 block of Forrest Ave. and broke into a home occupied by the victim and her grandparents.
Bensalem police said that McMichael wore all black clothing and a black mask when he broke into the home and used rope to barricade the door of an upstairs bedroom where the victim’s grandparents slept. The teen victim encountered him in the first-floor kitchen, where McMichael allegedly struck her in the face and choked her.
The girl recognized McMichael despite his disguise and called him by name, prompting him to stop the assault, police said. McMichael allegedly indicated he wanted to take the girl from her home, but allowed her to wash her face first. He then fled abruptly, leaving the victim at home.
Police obtained McMichael’s Philadelphia address and arrested him there a short time later. Police allegedly found a rifle, black clothing and rope in his gold Jeep.
McMichael allegedly confessed to the crime and was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault, burglary, trespassing and related offenses. He is held in Bucks County Prison in lieu of $2 million bail. ••
