3 Brothers Charged in Hatboro Burglary After Snow Footprints Tracked

Hatboro Police followed fresh footprints in the snow to arrest the suspects in the February 16 crime.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Three brothers have been charged in a burglary at a scrapyard in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, after police followed a trail of fresh footprints in the snow to track down the suspects. The Hatboro Borough Police Department responded to a security alarm at Sullivan Scrap Metal on Oakdale Avenue in the early morning hours of February 16 and used the snow tracks to eventually arrest Matthew Knight, Edmund Knight, and Andrew Knight.

Why it matters

Burglaries and property crimes are an ongoing challenge for many communities, and this case highlights how law enforcement can sometimes use environmental clues like fresh snow to help solve crimes. The ability to quickly respond to alarms and follow physical evidence can be crucial in apprehending suspects, especially for time-sensitive incidents.

The details

According to police, officers responded to the scrapyard alarm at 2:44 a.m. on February 16 and found fresh footprints in the newly fallen snow. They were able to follow this trail of evidence, which led them to the three brothers who they say committed the burglary.

  • The incident occurred on February 16, 2026 around 2:44 a.m.
  • A snowfall had recently occurred prior to the burglary.

The players

Matthew Knight

One of the three brothers charged in the burglary.

Edmund Knight

One of the three brothers charged in the burglary.

Andrew Knight

One of the three brothers charged in the burglary.

Hatboro Borough Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the alarm and made the arrests.

Sullivan Scrap Metal

The scrapyard business that was the target of the burglary.

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What’s next

The three brothers are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks to face charges related to the burglary.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates how physical evidence like fresh snow can be a valuable tool for law enforcement in solving property crimes, especially when combined with a quick response to security alarms. It also highlights the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with police to help address ongoing challenges with burglaries and break-ins.