A Blue Bell landlord is facing charges after tenants allege a brutal attack and unannounced entry into their home, police said.
The Upper Dublin Township Police responded to a home in the 400 block of Stuart Lane in the Ambler section of the township for a “disturbance” on Saturday, Oct. 26 around 10:07 p.m., which Montgomery County Dispatch called a “landlord/tenant dispute,” reports said.
Once at the scene, police said they spoke with Jody Wamsher, a tenant of the rental space. She told police, according to reports, that she was sitting on her couch when her landlord, Michael A. Bevilacqua, 50, of the 700 block of Morris Road in Blue Bell, “showed up to the residence.”
Police said that Bevilacqua used a keypad on the front door to gain entry, and that Wamsher got up and “attempted to close the door, and not let [Bevilacqua] back inside.” However, reports stated, Bevilacqua “pushed the door open, causing the trim to come off the wall,” which Wamsher said caused her to fall back by a coffee table.
According to reports “[Bevilacqua] then began telling everyone they needed to leave the residence.” The residents said that the landlord then began to damage property “flipping the coffee table, breaking furniture, and throwing plants on the ground,” said reports. Wamsher told police she ran to a neighbor’s nearby home to call police, police said.
At the time, Wamsher’s mother and ex-boyfriend were also inside the residence, police said. The ex-boyfriend was in a back room, according to reports, and when Bevilacqua came into the house, he told him to leave the house, which he “did without incident,” said police. While out in front of the rental property, the ex said he saw Bevilacqua “shove [the mother] out of the house, causing her to fall to the ground,” said reports.
The mother was transported to Jefferson Abington Hospital to be evaluated for injuries, police said.
The following morning, according to reports, around 11:36 a.m. on Oct. 27, police said they were called by Bevilacqua, who said he was at his home on Morris Road in Blue Bell, and that he “just woke up.” Around 11:42, police said they went to the home to speak with Bevilacqua, and that he was placed into custody.
Bevilacqua was transported to Horsham Police Department for processing, according to reports.
Bevilacqua is charged with felony counts of Burglary to overnight accommodations person present, bodily injury crime and Criminal Trespassing breaking into a structure. He also faces two misdemeanor counts of simple assault and a summary offense of criminal mischief damage of property.
Bevilacqua was released on his own bond signature following his arraignment. He is schedule to appear before Magisterial District Judge Douglas H. Lavenberg on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
