Prosecutors: NJ man cut gas line to home as family slept inside
WEST WHITELAND TWP., Pa. - A New Jersey man has been charged after allegedly cutting the gas line of a Chester County home and placing an incendiary device near it while a family of five slept inside, prosecutors announced Monday.
Investigators say Ryan Elliot, 30, faces five counts of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide and related charges.
West Whiteland Police were called to a home in the Whiteland Woods Development in West Whiteland Township about 5:15 a.m. on the report of a strong natural gas odor.
Responding officers found the homeowner and four other family members were asleep and woke up to the smell. The homeowner told police he saw the gas line in the basement had been cut.
Police could see someone had entered the home and saw a gas line had been cut. They found an incendiary device nearby.
Investigators identified Ryan Elliot as the suspect. It was discovered Elliot had been in a relationship with someone living in the home and the person had an active protection from abuse order against Elliot.
Elliot was arrested in Leonardo, New Jersey Nov. 13. He is being held in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
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