Would-be Target burglars caught in air duct charged

The two men nabbed hiding in the ventilation system during an attempted burglary at a Northeast Philadelphia Target have been charged, and police are investigating whether the pair is responsible for a series of break-ins at other Target stores.

Philadelphia police said 36-year-old Daniel Bethea and 38-year-old Daniel McMillan Jr. are facing charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass and other offenses in the Wednesday incident.

Officers were called to the Target at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. at about 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, when a security video showed two men inside the store, trying to steal electronics. The two apparently got into the Target by sawing a hole in fire door in the back of the store, authorities said.

Police, including K-9 units, searched the store and determined that the pair had fled to the roof.

Bethea, of North Philadelphia, and McMillan, of East Germantown, were found in a ventilation unit on the roof, police said.

When they were apprehended at about 5 a.m., Bethea was carrying backpack that contained a flashlight, a battery-operated cutting tool, and a walkie-talkie, according to police.

Authorities said detectives are investigating whether the two are also behind other burglaries at Target stores in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. The Philadelphia case was believed to be the seventh incident in the past month.