A recent home burglary in Mount Pleasant has prompted an internal review of how the local police department handled the case. The burglary occurred around 3:10 a.m. on Friday at the home of Alex Skatell and his family, where a masked suspect was captured on security cameras peering through the windows of the house’s wraparound porch. Just minutes later, at 3:15 a.m., the suspect was seen leaving the porch carrying a purse and a flashlight.
Stolen Items and Security Camera Footage
The stolen purse contained personal information, though it didn’t hold significant monetary value, according to Skatell. Officials believe the suspect entered the house through an unlocked side door, and no signs of forced entry were found when officers arrived. Skatell, upon waking up and seeing the security camera alerts, called 911 at 6 a.m. to report the burglary. He followed up around 6:40 a.m. to check on the status of the officers’ response.
Delayed Police Response and Public Concerns
It wasn’t until around 7:01 a.m. that Mount Pleasant officers arrived at the scene, an hour after the initial call. Police began an investigation, speaking with neighbors to see if any nearby security cameras had captured footage of the suspect. One neighbor’s cameras showed the suspect walking through their driveway just two minutes after they were last seen on Skatell’s footage. Another neighbor reported hearing someone outside his garage at 3 a.m., which could potentially be connected to the suspect’s movements.
In the moments following the burglary, the suspect was seen on camera attempting to break into an unsecured car in a nearby neighborhood. Despite these leads, the suspect has yet to be identified or captured.
Police Department’s Response and Review
The delayed police response sparked criticism, with some residents questioning how the Mount Pleasant Police Department handled the situation. The department released a statement on Monday, explaining that the initial 911 call didn’t suggest an active emergency, which led to the decision to defer the case to the incoming day shift officers. In the statement, the department acknowledged that this judgment call “fell short of our standards.”
Chief Arnold expressed concern over the delay, ordering a full review of the dispatch notes, radio communications, and call logs. The results of this review will be made transparent to the Town Council and the public. The department emphasized that they are actively working to identify and arrest the suspect and assured the community that safety remains their top priority.
Skatell’s Response and Community Vigilance
Despite the criticism of the police response, Skatell expressed gratitude to the department for their ongoing efforts and shared his confidence in their ability to solve the case. He received personal phone calls from the Town Administrator, Mayor, Chief of Police, and the lead detective, keeping him updated on the investigation.
“I know they’re doing everything in their power to catch this person. I know it won’t be easy and might take some time, but I have full confidence in this leadership team,” Skatell said. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of vigilance in a generally safe community, urging residents to take steps to protect their homes.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department is continuing its efforts to find the suspect, and the department’s internal review may lead to changes in how future calls are handled.
