Several Lebanon County police departments
Don’t let a Grinch get you – As you get into the holiday spirit, know that thieves are banking on doing the same. Be careful not to lure would-be thieves to your car with presents, packages, or other valuables in plain view. It can be an easy grab that ends up escalating to more than stolen gifts. Follow these tips this holiday season to protect yourself, your belongings, and your car:
- Stay alert.
- Walk confidently with your head up, and survey the scene around you.
- Park in well-lit places and in close range of a surveillance camera if possible.
- If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.
- Vary your routine, so your route and habits are less predictable.
- Always lock your car and take your keys.
- Don’t leave items visible in your car. Put presents or bags in your trunk or otherwise out of sight.
Steve Wheeler, Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority Executive Director, explains in this expose by Fox 43 News why auto theft is a persistent problem and how its ripple effects are impacting us all. Watch the surveillance video from an apartment garage of stolen cars loaded into cargo containers in a shipping port.
City of Lebanon
Aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI – Police charged Brad Collins, 18, with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, DUI-alcohol or controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and duties at stop signs following a crash that occurred on the 400 block of Walnut Street on Dec. 1.
Vehicle accident – Around 9:39 p.m. Dec. 1, police responded to the 400 block of Walnut Street for a crash involving three vehicles. According to police, a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old male was traveling east on Walnut Street, SR 422 East, at a high rate of speed. A second vehicle was traveling south on 5th Street and failed to stop at its intersection with Walnut Street. The eastbound vehicle was unable to stop or make an evasive maneuver in time to avoid the accident. The striking vehicle hit the porch areas of a few houses on the block and the second vehicle struck a parked vehicle. The driver and the two passengers of the striking vehicle were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.
Spread holiday cheer with Cops and Candy Canes – The Lebanon City Police Department is spreading holiday cheer Cops and Candy Canes, police said in a press release. Between now and Christmas Eve, officers will hand out candy canes to children at the police department, 735 Cumberland St. Follow the festive peppermint designs in the building to the police department and make your presence known to staff, and an officer will bring out a candy cane. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lebanon city police would like to thank the James Biever Police Community Alliance for its role in organizing this initiative, as well as Wayne Carey from Candy-Rama, who provided the candy canes.
East Hanover Township
Drug possession – At 10:51 a.m. Nov. 28, police pulled over a 2023 Toyota Corolla in the area of SR 22 and Jonestown Road for traffic violations. Police found the driver, Joshua Cobb, 38, of Harrisburg, in possession of marijuana.
Jackson Township
Vehicle accident, vehicle turning left – At 4:09 p.m. Nov. 26, a two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of North Locust Street and West Lincoln Avenue. A 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by a 34-year-old Newmanstown man was stopped, facing east, at a traffic signal and attempted to turn left onto North Locust Street when it was struck by a 2021 GMC Acadia driven by a 43-year-old Pine Grove woman. The Dodge sustained functional damage and was able to drive from the scene under its own power. The GMC sustained disabling damage and was towed. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and sustained no injuries. Police charged the man with vehicle turning left.
Indecent assault – At 9:29 a.m. Nov. 26, police received two Childline referrals for two Jackson girls, ages 15 and 13. The incidents are alleged to have occurred on Stracks Dam Road. Police are investigating.
Myerstown Borough
Theft – On Nov. 27, a 38-year-old Myerstown man reported that his neighbor stole a package, valued at $50, off his doorstep on West Main Avenue. The investigation is ongoing.
North Lebanon Township
Accident involving damage to property – Police charged Jaclyn Morales, 38, of Lebanon, with accident involving damage to property after a crash on Oct. 27 on 8th Avenue and Weavertown Road.
North Londonderry Township
Disorderly conduct – At 9:45 p.m. Nov. 27, police charged a 17-year-old Myerstown boy after police investigated a suspicious vehicle in the Gravel Hill Church parking lot. Police found the boy with a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Vehicle accident – At 7:55 p.m. Nov. 29, police responded to the 200 block of Gravel Hill Road for a crash. A vehicle driven by a 44-year-old Palmyra man was traveling north on Gravel Hill Road while a vehicle driven by a 72-year-old Palmyra man was backing into the driveway of a home on the block. The 44-year-old’s vehicle struck the front end of the 72-year-old’s bumper as it was attempting to go around the vehicle while it was backing up. No injuries were reported.
South Londonderry Township
Vehicle accident – At 6:47 p.m. Nov. 24, a silver VW sedan driven by an 18-year-old Palmyra resident collided with a white Jeep driven by a 30-year-old Manheim woman in the roundabout at South Forge Road and Northside Drive. The Palmyra resident’s vehicle was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.
Swatara Township
Accidental death – At 2:38 p.m. Nov. 29, police responded to Grace Avenue for a report of a woman not being able to find her husband, a 79-year-old Lebanon man, after he went out to cut wood in the early morning hours that day. Police located the man dead in the woods. Police are investigating.
Western Lebanon County Regional Police
Criminal mischief, careless driving – Around 1:07 p.m. Nov. 1, police responded to the rear of a property on the 400 block of East Maple Street in Annville for a driving complaint. Police discovered that Chelsea Kraus, 37, unlawfully drove her vehicle across a soccer field and struck and damaged a soccer goal belonging to the Annville-Cleona Youth Soccer Club. On Nov. 21, charges of misdemeanor criminal mischief and summary careless driving were filed against Kraus through MDJ Ditzler’s office.
Accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property – Around 6:22 p.m. Nov. 20, police responded to the 1100 block of East Main Street in Annville for a report of a hit-and-run crash. Police determined that the driver of the fleeing vehicle was Daniel Beltre, 49, of the Dominican Republic. On Nov. 25, a criminal complaint was filed with MDJ Ditzler’s office, charging Beltre with misdemeanor accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property, summary registration required, and summary duty to give information and render aid.
Bench warrants served – At 11:30 p.m. Dec. 2, police took Christopher Gibson, 47, into custody for two domestic relations bench warrants and transported him to LCCB. The incident occurred on the 200 block of East Main Street in Palmyra.
Theft of packages – Police are seeking assistance in identifying the vehicle pictured below. The driver is a person of interest in the theft of several packages in Palmyra. One resident reported packages were stolen from the porch of a home in the 100 block of North Franklin Street, and another resident reported that a package was stolen from a home in the 200 block of East Broad Street. Residents in Annville and Palmyra are encouraged to make arrangements to have packages collected in a timely manner after delivery. If you know the vehicle or the driver, please call the WLCRPD at 717-838-8189. Additionally, you may leave the information on CRIMEWATCH under the “Contact Us” or “Submit A Tip” tabs.
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