Lancaster County Man Charged With Assault After Forcing Entry Into Home

I’ve covered a lot of crime stories over the years, but some hit differently—like this one from Leola, Lancaster County. A 36-year-old man named Anthony Pfund is now sitting in jail, accused of breaking into a woman’s home on a quiet Sunday afternoon and attacking her inside.

Police say it happened around the 900 block of Rettew Mill Road. Pfund didn’t just walk in—he allegedly forced his way through a window by removing the screen. When officers arrived, they found him still inside the house. The woman, according to the police report, was in a corner, crying. You can imagine the fear in that moment.

What makes this worse is that it wasn’t random. Investigators say Pfund had a history with the woman—and that he’d threatened her before. This time, he shoved her to the ground after forcing his way in, despite her protests. The police documents say she was “substantially terrified and feared for her life.”

Pfund is now facing serious charges: burglary, stalking, terroristic threats, and assault. His bail is set at $120,000, and he’s currently in Lancaster County Prison.

This wasn’t just a break-in—it was a home invasion with a history behind it. And if you live anywhere nearby, it raises the question: how safe do you really feel inside your own home?

Why This Case Feels Personal — Even If You Don’t Know Them

I’ve covered plenty of incidents that sound like news from a distance—until you read the details. And then it feels disturbingly personal.

You don’t need to know the woman involved in this Lancaster County home invasion to understand her fear. Imagine being inside your own home, thinking you’re safe… and someone climbs through your window. Not just someone—someone you knew, someone you’ve had past trouble with.

Police say Pfund had already made threats before. She didn’t just feel uncomfortable—she felt unsafe. And this time, she was shoved to the ground in her own space, crying when police arrived.

If you’ve ever had even the smallest fear about someone violating your boundaries, you know how quickly that fear becomes real. This isn’t just a break-in—it’s about trust, trauma, and safety all colliding.

Just like the brutal residential kidnapping case in Washington where the court delivered strong sentences, this incident in Lancaster raises serious questions about home safety and legal outcomes.

The Charges—What They Actually Mean for You

When a news report throws around legal terms like “burglary” and “terroristic threats,” they can sound abstract. But I want to break down what these charges really mean—because if something like this happens near your neighborhood, you should know how serious it is.

According to Local 21 News, police say Anthony Pfund removed a window screen, entered the woman’s home, and assaulted her. She cried out for help, but he shoved her to the ground. And it wasn’t the first time he’d scared her—he’d made threats in the past. That kind of behavior isn’t just disturbing. It’s criminal.

Here’s what he’s been charged with:

• Burglary (Felony 1): Entering someone’s home without permission—while intending to commit a crime. It’s a top-level felony.
• Stalking (Felony 3): Repeated, unwanted attention or threats that cause emotional distress.
• Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 2): Threatening someone’s life or safety—whether or not it’s carried out.
• Simple Assault (Misdemeanor 2): Causing someone physical harm or fear of harm.

If someone did this to your family member or friend, you’d want those charges to stick. The law exists to protect people—especially inside their homes.

I’ve seen more and more of these incidents getting shared in real-time on community safety alerts. If you want to stay informed when such stories unfold, joining a local safety broadcast on WhatsApp can help you stay ahead.

Home Invasions in Lancaster County — Rare, But Real

Let me be honest with you—I’ve reported on crime across Pennsylvania, and Lancaster County usually isn’t at the top of the home invasion list. But that doesn’t mean it’s immune.

When something like this happens in a place like Leola, it shakes people up. Because this isn’t Philly or Pittsburgh—this is a tight-knit community where people leave their porch lights on and know their neighbors by name.

But here’s the thing: even quiet communities aren’t safe from people who are already known to the victim.

This wasn’t a random break-in. It was a targeted incident with personal history behind it. And it’s a reminder that most home invasions, especially those involving violence, happen between people who know each other.

So if you live in Lancaster County and think, “That kind of thing doesn’t happen here”—you’re wrong. It just did.

Have you ever felt unsafe in your own neighborhood? I’d really like to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let’s talk about how our communities can stay safer together.

What Police Did Right — And What You Can Learn From It

One thing I’ll say: the Ephrata Police Department didn’t waste time.

They responded to the scene fast. Officers found Pfund inside the house and arrested him on the spot. That level of quick response can mean the difference between someone getting hurt and someone surviving.

You might be thinking—what can I take away from this?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Never hesitate to call the police if you feel unsafe—even if the person is someone you know.
• Keep records of past threats, messages, or calls. Police use that history in court.
• Know your local law enforcement contact info. Bookmark CrimeWatchPA or your local PD’s page.

You don’t need to be paranoid. But you do need to be prepared. This case shows how fast things can go from “it’s probably nothing” to “he’s inside the house.”

In another recent home invasion, an Arcadia family had their home ransacked and valuables worth $125,000 stolen—reminding us how fast these break-ins can escalate.

Is Your Home Actually Safe? Here’s What I Recommend

I’ve interviewed dozens of safety experts over the years, and they all say the same thing: the biggest security mistake people make is assuming, “It won’t happen to me.”

Let me share a few simple things you can do right now to secure your home—especially windows and entry points, since that’s how Pfund got in:

• Secure your windows with locks, dowel rods, or sensors—especially on the first floor.
• Install motion-sensor lights around dark entry points.
• Use a basic security camera—even a $30 smart cam can alert you when something’s wrong.
• Join a neighborhood watch group or community safety chat.
• Know your rights under Pennsylvania law—especially if someone threatens you repeatedly.

And if you’ve ever been in a situation like this woman—where someone from your past has scared or stalked you—please don’t stay silent. Reach out to local women’s shelters, domestic violence hotlines, or legal aid services.

Because your home should feel like home—not like a trap.

Similar to a case in Pueblo County where two men were sentenced for a violent 2021 break-in, this Lancaster case also underlines how justice plays out over time in home invasion incidents.

What Happens Next in the Lancaster County Case?

Now that Pfund has been arrested, you might be wondering—what’s the next step?

I looked into Lancaster County’s legal process, and here’s what typically happens:

• Preliminary hearing: Pfund will face a judge who decides if there’s enough evidence to go to trial.
• Formal arraignment: This is where charges become official and defense begins.
• Possible outcomes: He could accept a plea deal, go to trial, or be released on bail (which is set at $120,000 for now).

As of now, Pfund remains in Lancaster County Prison.

If you want to stay updated, here’s what I recommend:

• Follow Ephrata Police Department
• Check Lancaster County Court Docket Search for future hearing dates
• Subscribe to local alerts for updates on serious cases

Because even after the news cycle moves on, the victim still has to live with this—and we owe her our attention.

Final Thoughts

I’ve covered a lot of stories, but this one stays with you. A woman was attacked in a place where she should’ve felt safest—her own home. If this story pushes you to check your locks, talk to a loved one, or support a victim—you’re already making a difference.

Because safety isn’t just a headline—it’s personal.

If you’re interested in reading more real-life cases where quick action made a difference, visit our Home Security section to stay informed.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on police reports and public sources at the time of publication. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Names and identifying details of the victim have been excluded to protect privacy.