November 16, 2020
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Chester County prosecutors filed charges against Ryan D. Elliott, 30, of Leonardo, New Jersey, for allegedly cutting the gas line to a home in West Whiteland Township, where a former romantic partner lives with family members, investigators said.
Chester County prosecutors have charged a New Jersey man with attempted murder for allegedly cutting the gas line to his sleeping family's home in West Whiteland.
Ryan D. Elliott, 30, of Monmouth County, was arrested in Leonardo last week following an investigation of the incident.
MAN ARRESTED FOR CUTTING GAS LINE IN WHITELAND WOODS HOME WHILE FAMILY SLEPT The Chester County District Attorney’s...
Posted by Chester County District Attorney on Monday, November 16, 2020
West Whiteland Township police responded to a home in the Whiteland Woods development around 5:15 a.m. Thursday. Investigators said the homeowner reported a strong natural gas smell in the residence.
When the homeowner checked the basement, they found that the gas line had been cut, threatening the lives of five people who had been asleep inside the home.
Further investigation revealed that an unknown person had made entry into the home, police said. An incendiary device was found in close proximity to the cut gas line.
According to prosecutors, Elliott was previously in a relationship with one of the family members inside the home. That person had an active Protection from Abuse Order against Elliott.
In addition to the attempted murder charge, Elliott faces counts of aggravated assault, burglary, arson and recklessly endangering another person.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Whiteland Township Detective Scott Pezick at (484) 875-6021.
