Westmoreland man charged after Hermitage garage break-in turns violent

Officers from the Bethel Town Police have charged a 40-year-old man from Marl Road, Bethel Town, Westmoreland, after a break-in at a home in Hermitage Housing Scheme escalated into a violent garage encounter nearly two years ago.

Dwayne Shearer faces counts of burglary, larceny and unlawful wounding linked to the August 17, 2023 incident along Tangerine Drive.

Reports from the Bethel Town Police state that at roughly 2:45 p.m., a resident was inside with relatives when strange sounds were noticed coming from the garage. He went to investigate and saw that a number of crates and bottles had already been taken from the garage and placed outside.

Further checks reportedly uncovered Shearer still inside the garage, armed with a knife and trying to remove additional items. When the homeowner challenged him, a fight broke out and both men were injured.

Shearer is said to have left the property before officers were called. Following an investigation, he was taken into custody during a police operation on Monday, June 29, and later charged. A date for his court appearance is still being arranged.