Juveniles leave path of destruction after vandalizing 34 vehicles in Columbia Borough | WPMT FOX43

 Dozens of vehicles were damaged–their windows smashed and tires slashed–after five juveniles went on a vandalism spree in Lancaster County, according to police reports.

The vandalism occurred between June 16 and July 3 in the northeast section of Columbia Borough, police said.

So far, some 34 vehicles have been found with damage which include broken windows and windshields, broken side view mirrors and slashed tires. In one instance–the suspects threw a brick through a house window, investigators said.

Police spotted the suspects while on patrol during the early morning hours on July 3. One of the suspects was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.

A preliminary investigation revealed that five boys, ranging in ages from 10 to 14 years-old, were involved in the crime spree.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Officer Austin Miller at 717-684-7735.

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Columbia's Litter Letter Project a success!

Fill the bus tonight

Resident alleges selective enforcement by codes department

At last night's Columbia Borough Council meeting, Gerald Maurer, 518 North Third Street, alleged that the Columbia Borough Codes Department has engaged in several incidents of selective enforcement, nonfeasance, and misfeasance over the past few years.  In particular, Maurer noted that the property next to his (516 North Third Street) sustained a fire on June 22, 2013, due to faulty wiring (as determined by the fire department). In the aftermath, Maurer took the photographs posted below, which he says display the poor condition of the interior of the house - aside from fire damage - and support his claims of selective code enforcement, since the codes department had not previously cited the property for code violations.  (Maurer presented these photographs to council at last night's meeting.) Maurer added that, to his knowledge, no search warrant had been executed for this property to investigate its interior. However, Maurer claims that on one occasion, a search warrant was issued for his own property, and he arrived home to find a code enforcement officer and two policemen inside his house. He also cited ongoing disputes he has had with the codes department for a deck he had added to his property, even though the department did not specify which codes he was violating.

MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS STORY

Monster mayfly spotted at Columbia River Park

A monster mayfly was spotted hovering over the Columbia River Park pavilion and the Veterans Memorial Bridge this afternoon. Several witnesses estimated the enormous insect to be about ten to twenty feet long and possibly weighing 500 pounds. Local officials contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Fluviology and the National Institute of Mayfly Sciences in an attempt to corral and classify the mayfly, but the insect had apparently left the area by the time the agencies arrived. Officials believe the insect posed no danger to the public at any time but are asking that any further sightings be reported to appropriate authorities.

An official from the National Institute of Mayfly Sciences has theorized that a maternal instinct may have been triggered in the giant mayfly when it spotted this person attempting to catch mayflies on ones of the docks, causing it to hover protectively around the park.

Is there a mayfly festival in Columbia's future?

The seemingly endless swarms of mayflies invading Columbia and Wrightsville have inspired some local residents to look into the possibility of a joint Columbia-Wrightsville mayfly festival to be held in the near future. Although the venture is still very much in the discussion and planning stages, a public meeting will be held at Columbia Cones and More on Monday, August 10 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the idea further.  According to Scott Creek, proprietor of Columbia Cones and More as well as one of the group's organizers, residents are invited to the meeting and ideas are welcome.

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting July 13, 2015