Donovan Philpot

A suspected burglar was caught in the act Thursday morning breaking into an apartment building on the 400 block of South McKean Street in Butler, authorities said.

Butler police arrested Donovan M. Philpot, 18, of Volant, Lawrence County, who is in the Butler County Prison on $25,000 bond. He is charged with burglary.

A passer-by called 911 around 8:10 a.m. to report a burglary in progress at the two-story building, which houses five apartments, police said.

Patrolman Korey Zarnick and other officers were there in minutes and found damage to a common door to the building. Inside, police said, they also saw a man who matched the description of the suspect.

Zarnick detained the man, who police later identified as Philpot, in the hallway.

The defendant denied forcing in the door and claimed the door was open.

But surveillance video at the building allegedly showed the teenager trying to pick the lock on the door, police said, and then using his body to get in through the door at 7:55 a.m.

The lock and the door jamb were damaged.

On Philpot, police said, officers found a pink knife, a rock and a credit card.

The blade of the knife appeared to be broken from gaining entry to the main door, police said.

The credit card also was damaged, according to charging documents, “consistent (with) attempting to gain entry to the inside of (one of the apartments).”

Police said they found pry marks on that apartment door. The 21-year-old tenant at the apartment was reportedly away and no one was there. That apartment was apparently not entered.

Police said they do not have a motive for the alleged break-in.