Man Hoped to Profit from Fake Home Invasion, Police Say

Hellertown Police say a man who allegedly faked a home invasion at his residence hoped to profit from it.

In a news release, police said Scott D. Brunell, of 731 Front St., Hellertown, reported to police on Saturday that he had been assaulted at knifepoint and robbed of $900.

Police said they conducted an investigation into the incident and interviewed Brunell as part of their effort.

Brunell eventually "admitted that the home invasion had never occurred, to fabricating the crime scene and causing injury to himself for financial gain," police said.

According to police, Brunell has been charged with false reports to law enforcement, unsworn falsifications to authorities, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and disorderly conduct.