Executive Summary
- Matthew Miller, 23, was arrested in East Berlin, PA, after a four-hour police standoff.
- Charges include felony burglary and criminal trespass after he allegedly entered a relative’s home via a basement window.
- Pennsylvania State Police deployed a Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) due to reports of a potential firearm.
- The suspect is currently held at Adams County Prison on $25,000 bail.
Matthew Miller, 23, of East Berlin, Pennsylvania, has been charged with felony burglary and criminal trespass following a four-hour standoff with law enforcement on Wednesday evening, according to court documents filed by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Authorities responded to a report of a trespassing incident at approximately 3:47 p.m. at a residence near West King Street and Abbottstown Street. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Miller had been removed from the relative’s home by state troopers earlier in the day and transported to a local mission. Police state that Miller later returned to the property and, after finding the front door locked, allegedly entered the residence through a basement window.
The affidavit details that upon entering, Miller was confronted by a relative who insisted he leave. Court records indicate that Miller became belligerent and refused to vacate the premises, allegedly challenging the resident to call the authorities. The relative subsequently evacuated the home safely with several children, including a 13-year-old, and alerted law enforcement.
The reporting relative informed police that Miller was known to possess a firearm, which had been placed in the basement earlier that day. Due to uncertainty regarding whether Miller had retrieved the weapon, Pennsylvania State Police established a perimeter and deployed the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT). Following the issuance of a search warrant, the standoff concluded shortly before 9 p.m. when Miller exited the residence and surrendered to officers without incident.
Miller was transported to Gettysburg Hospital for evaluation before being booked into Adams County Prison. He was arraigned Thursday morning and remains in custody after failing to post $25,000 monetary bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 24, 2025.
Procedural Next Steps
The involvement of the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) highlights the heightened risk assessment protocols utilized by state police in domestic disturbances involving potential firearms. As the case moves to the judicial phase, the focus will shift to the preliminary hearing where the Commonwealth must present sufficient evidence to justify the felony charges. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
