Trial set for man who police say was videoed burglarizing Freeport home

A Freeport man who police say was caught in the act of burglarizing a home after the owner showed officers video of him breaking in and loading items into garbage bags has been ordered to stand trial.

James Cornman III, 33, whose last known address was in the 800 block of Riverdale Drive, was charged by Southern Armstrong Regional Police with two counts of theft and counts of burglary, criminal trespass and aggravated assault, all felonies.

He also faces misdemeanor charges of theft, resisting arrest, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Cornman was being detained in the Armstrong County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond, according to court records.

He waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge J. Gary DeComo, who ordered him to stand trial on the charges in Armstrong County Court.

Police wrote in a criminal complaint that officers responded to a call about 10:15 p.m. Oct. 5 for a burglary in progress at a home in the 200 block of Second Street.

The homeowner, who was not at the residence, told police there were cameras inside and he could see someone removing guns from a safe.

Responding officers were surrounding the house when Cornman opened the door, police said. He repeatedly was ordered to leave the house with his hands up and eventually surrendered.

Police said the homeowner showed them video of Cornman breaking a window to get inside the house, where he was seen filling garbage bags with items and removing a shotgun and a pistol from a gun safe.

While being taken into custody, Cornman resisted arrest and kicked a police corporal in the knee, the complaint said.

Previous criminal offenses

In 2011, Cornman pleaded guilty to a felony count of statutory sexual assault filed by Freeport police and was sentenced to two to five years in jail, according to court records.

Cornman also pleaded guilty to a felony count of burglary in 2011 that was filed by Harrison police. He was sentenced to five years of probation, court records show.

In 2010, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm that had an altered serial number and was sentenced to four to eight months in jail and two years of probation, according to the court docket.

In 2009, Cornman pleaded guilty to a felony count of burglary filed by Freeport police and was sentenced to three months to one year in jail and a year of probation.