Wednesday, October 21, 2015

More on the cocky robber who hit Burning Bridge Antiques and others



Police from two Lancaster County departments are seeking information on an individual who stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from antique vendors since last week.

The individual, a white male with a pony-tail, targeted three stores on Oct. 8, in East Cocalico Township and Columbia Borough.

They are:
– Adams Antiques, Route 272, East Cocalico Township;
– Route 272 Antiques and Collectibles, Route 272, East Cocalico Township;
– Burning Bridge Antiques, Walnut Street, Columbia.

Surveillance images of the individual are attached. If anyone recognizes the man, or was a victim of similar theft, contact East Cocalico Township Police Detective Keith Neff at 717-336-1725.

The man is believed to be driving a gray sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Impala or something similar.

Police believe the pony-tailed man is acting alone, stealing jewelry of all sorts: rings, necklaces, bracelets. He's been defeating locks on cases/displays to get to the jewelry, which he then puts in pockets. He is doing so inconspicuously, so police believe he's done this type of activity before.

He stole an estimated $11,000 worth of items from the Columbia store, and an estimated $5,000-plus in items from the East Cocalico Township locations. Many of the items were being sold under consignment, so the amounts could increase as owners do inventory and realize what they lost.

Police believe the same man targeted an antique store Oct. 12 in Harrisonburg, Va., stealing jewelry there as well.

Columbia hires new principal for Park Elementary School

Douglas Knepp was officially introduced as the next principal of Park Elementary School at the Oct. 15 board meeting of Columbia Borough School District. His introduction follows approval at the Oct. 8 committee of the whole meeting.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/columbia-hires-new-principal-for-park-elementary-school/article_0aa96ea0-772f-11e5-869b-eb34fc9bb51c.html

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Lantern Tour Classic To Benefit Nonprofit Cemetery


"There is a lot of history in this cemetery," noted Mount Bethel Cemetery board member Claire Storm. The cemetery dates from the 1720s, and it is known as the oldest burial ground in continual use in the Columbia area.
Board members hope to highlight the history of the cemetery with a dash of Halloween excitement during the upcoming Haunted Lantern Tour Classic.
The cemetery, located at 700 Locust St., Columbia, will make a suitably spooky site for the tour, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24. Tours will be conducted every half hour beginning at 7 p.m., with the last tour setting out at 10 p.m. The tour will last approximately one hour.
Tickets are available by calling 684-6196. Tour size is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible.
MORE:

Hit and Run Tuesday night

West Hempfield police investigating vehicle theft, entries in Mountville area

Two Lancaster County school districts seek loans, consider cuts amid state budget impasse

Columbia Borough School District is looking at its loan options, Superintendent Carol Powell said in an email Tuesday. About 48 percent of Columbia's budget comes from the state.

Using loans will create unplanned costs — from interest rates and fees — for the district, Powell said.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/two-lancaster-county-school-districts-seek-loans-consider-cuts-amid/article_f6202b96-776e-11e5-9094-83f78a36392b.html

Market House to open on Sundays starting Nov. 1