A Lancaster city man was found guilty and sentenced to prison during a stipulated bench trial regarding a burglary charge after breaking into a home while attempting to flee from police.

Damian Omar Cruz, 31 of the 200 block of W. Walnut St., was sentenced to one year less one day to two years less two days followed by two years of probation by Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker on March 2.

Cruz had previously been on probation regarding a felony conviction of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

On July 20, 2021, Cruz reported to the Lancaster County Adult Probation and Parole (APP) Office and was taken into custody by APP agents for a probation violation. As he was being escorted to the sally port area of the office for transport to Lancaster County Prison, Cruz ran out of the port and onto Lancaster city streets.

Members of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department chased after Cruz and told him to stop, but the defendant ignored and continued to run. Deputies noticed Cruz was able to slip off one handcuff and used a t-shirt to cover the still-handcuffed wrist.

As he was fleeing, Cruz broke into a backdoor of an occupied home on Church St. causing damage to the door, locking mechanism and interior wall. Upon entering the home, the occupant told Cruz to leave to which he responded, “I just need to get through.” Cruz continued through the house and the occupant let him out the front door where he was immediately arrested.

First Deputy District Attorney Travis Anderson prosecuted the case. “This could’ve been a much more dangerous situation than it was,” he said.

Reinaker commended Cruz for taking responsibility for his actions and agreeing to the stipulated bench trial to streamline the criminal process rather than opting for a jury trial.

Cruz apologized for his actions when given the opportunity to do so stating “I understand it was very bad choices on my behalf.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.