Burglar breaks into house, has a shower, cuts his hair, fries chicken

Police said an Easton man broke into a woman's home on Sunday afternoon and helped himself to some beer, made some fried chicken, took a shower and even gave himself a haircut.

Jose Nicolas DeGracia, 27, of 11 N. Fourth St., is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and criminal mischief. He's in Northampton County Prison under $15,000 bail.

Grace Knaus of 34 S. 15th St., Easton, told police she arrived home just after 5 p.m. and found DeGracia sitting in her kitchen. She told police she doesn't know him and had never seen DeGracia before.



DeGracia appeared to have visited every room in the house, police said, going through dresser drawers and closets. Police said all of Knaus' family photos had been laid face down on the shelves as DeGracia went through the house.

Police found cans of empty and partially consumed beer throughout the house and said DeGracia had fried some chicken in a second-floor kitchen.

DeGracia even cleaned up by taking a shower, cutting his hair with some clippers and dressed himself in clothes and boots belonging to Knaus' grandson, who also lives at the home.