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Swatara Township Police arrested Daniel Giorgione Jr, age 29, of no fixed address. He is accused of Robbing the Turkey Hill store at 12 South Harrisburg Street on April 21^st. A victim of the robbery was shopping at the Harrisburg Mall when that victim recognized Giorgione Jr. and positively identified him as the robbery suspect.

Giorgione Jr. was charged with Robbery and False Identification to Law Enforcement after he provided a false name while being questioned. Giorgione Jr. was also wanted by State Parole. MDJ George Zozos remanded Giorgione Jr. to Dauphin County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

On 4/21/08, Donald Stalter, of Swatara Township, Dauphin County was sentenced before Dauphin County Court Judge Evans to 20-40 years in State Prison for the molestation of three young girls between 7 and 8 years of age. Swatara Twp Police had charged Stalter on February 27, 2007 after receiving information that Stalter had molested his step granddaughter, her sister and one of their young friends. Stalter was also found to be in possession of child pornography on his home computer. In a hearing, just prior to sentencing before Judge Evans, Stalter was found to be a sexually violent predator after Dauphin County District Attorney Sean McCormack presented evidence and testimony.

The Chief of Police is pleased to announce that on Friday April 18, 2008 Dauphin County Victim Services director Jennifer Storm presented the Swatara Township Police Department with the 2007 Outstanding Victim Service Award. The Swatara Township Police was recognized for its “dedication and commitment to serving crime victims with dignity and respect”.

Deputy Chief Jason D. Umberger accepted the award on behalf of the Department at a luncheon ceremony in the lobby of the Dauphin County courthouse.

On Monday April 21, 2008 at approximately 2125 hours SWATARA POLICE units were summoned to the TURKEY HILL at 12 S. Harrisburg St. in the Oberlin section of SWATARA TOWNSHIP for a reported armed robbery.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a white or Hispanic male with a shaved or bald head, thin mustache and goatee, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with a camouflage design across the front, baggy jeans and a black beanie cap entered the store and was browsing for store items then produced a handgun and demanded cash.

The robber fled on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. No one was injured during the robbery.

Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennsylvania recently recognized the Swatara Township Police Department for its professional assistance to his agents in the Child Predator Unit. Members of the Swatara Township Police Department have assisted agents from the Office of Attorney General in conducting investigations and arrests in six cases involving child predators.

Attorney General Corbett cited the professionalism, willingness and dedication of our Department and its members in partnering with his office to conduct these most important investigations.

We are pleased and honored to be recognized by the Attorney General of Pennsylvania and pledge our continued commitment to keeping children safe across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

On Sunday March 16^th at approximately 1245pm Swatara Police were dispatched to the area of the Great Escape entrance at the rear of the Harrisburg Mall for a reported shooting. On arrival at the mall officers located a 17-year-old male who had been shot in a lower extremity. The male was attended to by medical personnel and transported to Hershey Medical Center for treatment of his wound. Initial reports indicate there may have been 5-6 suspects in the area of where the shooting took place. Witnesses described these suspects as black males. Police have determined that the shooting occurred in the rear lot area near the Great Escape Movie entrance. After the shooting, the victim fled to the front of the mall seeking assistance. The victim is expected to recover from his wounds and may be released from the hospital in the near future. At this time no one is in custody and police are asking witnesses to contact them at 564-2550.

On Wednesday February 27, 2008 at approximately 1:25 pm and 1:29 pm, Swatara Township Police units were dispatched to the Sheetz at 3695 Paxton St. and the Hardees Restaurant at 2203 Paxton St. for the report of two robberies.

Upon police arrival it was discovered that at both locations a white male wearing a bulky greenish/tan coat with hood, blue jeans, work boots, goatee and clear safety glasses had entered the establishments and handed the cashier a note demanding money.

Anyone who may have witnessed this subject and/or vehicle is urged to contact the Swatara Police Department at 564-2550.

On Sunday, February 16, 2008 at 0915 hours Swatara Township Police initiated a traffic stop on a silver 2004 Lincoln in the 2500 block of Sycamore Street for an expired registration plate.

During the traffic stop the driver provided police false information about his identity. Through an investigation he was later identified as Woodrow Wilson Grier Jr, of Harrisburg (LKA 1600 block of Paxton Street). A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Nicolette Joyce of Evergreen Street in Harrisburg.

While Police were investigating the identity of Greer, Joyce was taken into custody for outstanding summary warrants.

The vehicle was impounded and during an inventory search Police found approximately 13.7 grams of crack cocaine in a plastic bag.

Once identified Police learned that Grier was wanted by the US Marshals Service for Escape, arising from federal drug law violations. Grier was also wanted for a capias out of the Dauphin County Domestic Relations and $822.52 in fine and cost warrants originating from Harrisburg City Police.

Grier was charged by Swatara Township Police with the following crimes: Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, False Identification to Law Enforcement, False Reports to Law Enforcement, Driving Under Suspension, and Registration and Certificate of Title Required.

Grier was arraigned in Night Court on the charges listed above and bail was set at $50,000. A federal detainer was lodged against him as well. He was transported to Dauphin County Prison where he is being held.

On January 25, 2008, Michael Fernsler was sentenced in a Dauphin County Court Room to 26 to 52 years in prison for sexually molesting two 4-year-old girls in 2006.

He also has been accused of sexually molesting a girl in North Londonderry Twp., Lebanon County, in November while free on bail after pleading guilty in August to sexually assaulting two girls.

On March 23, 2006, Swatara Police received a complaint that two 4-year-old girls were sexually assaulted in their home in Swatara Township. Evidence was collected at the scene and processed by the State Police Crime Lab. The results of the tests indicated that an assault had in fact occurred.

Swatara Detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Michael Fernsler, a white male 33 years of age living at 3745 Orrstown Road, Orrstown, Pa 17244. At the time of his arrest, Fernsler was employed as a police officer with the Shippensburg University Police Department. Fernsler was taken into custody at the Shippensburg University Police Department at 4:30PM on March 31, 2006. Fernsler was arraigned at Dauphin County Night Court before DJ Solomon on charges of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child, Corruption of Minors, Indecent Assault, Indecent Exposure, and Unlawful Contact with a Minor. Bail was set at $50,000 and Fernsler was remanded to Dauphin County Prison.

On Sunday, December 30, 2007 at approximately 2:24 PM, Dauphin County 911 received a call reporting a disturbance at the Rutherford Youth Club, Evelyn Street, Swatara Township, Dauphin County. Upon arrival of the patrol officers they learned that a verbal and physical confrontation had occurred involving Gilbert Cruz Sr. and a youth basketball coach. After witness statements were obtained and interviews were conducted, it was determined that following a basketball game in which Cruz's son was a participant, he became upset with the coach. Cruz then departed his seat, entered the court and rapidly proceeded across the court and attempted to strike the coach by swinging his fist. The coach was able to avoid being struck by the fist but was struck in the back by his arm and a physical struggle followed requiring several other adults to keep Cruz from assaulting the coach and to gain physical control.

Gilbert Cruz Sr. is a 38 year-old hispanic male of the 6200 block of Chatham Glenn Way, Swatara Township. A summons has been filed against Cruz for one count of Simple Assault, one count of Assault on Sports Official and one count of Disorderly Conduct.

On Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at approximately 2:21PM, Swatara Police were dispatched to an attempted Robbery at the Blue Chip Credit Union in the 5000 block of Derry Street. The suspect was described as a white male who left the area in a tan hatchback type vehicle. The suspect was not successful in his attempt and fled east on Derry Street.

Alert Patrol units responding to the robbery observed a car matching the description parked at the Turkey Hill at 63rd and Derry Streets where the two white male occupants were taken into custody.

The passenger in the car, identified as Paul E Risser a 35 year old white male of the 100 block of Curvin Drive, was positively identified as being the male that attempted this robbery. The driver of the car, a Steelton resident, was not implicated in the robbery and was later release.

Risser subsequently acknowledged his involvement in two prior robberies on December 4th and 11th at the same credit union and one at the Mid Penn Bank in Steelton on December 20th. Risser was arraigned on four counts of Robbery and committed to Dauphin County Prison on $50,000 bail.

At approximately 11:30PM on December 21, 2007, Swatara Township Police were dispatched to the Waffle House on Lindle Road for an armed robbery. Witnesses stated that a black male and a white female entered the store and announced a robbery. The male suspect was armed with a pistol which he struck one of the three employees on the head with and then ordered them to the back room. The male suspect lined the employees against a wall and removed a large bolt cutter from his pants. He cut a lock on a pantry and ordered the employees inside and locked a deadbolt behind them. The male suspect then attempted to use the bolt cutter to enter the locked office. One of the employees used his cellular phone to call 911. The male suspect unlocked the pantry and when he attempted to take the phone a fight ensued. Two male employees were able to take the male suspect to the floor when the female suspect struck one of the employees on the head with the bolt cutter. The employee recovered and regained his feet. The employees then chased the suspects from the store. The suspects fled in a white sedan believed to be a Pontiac Grand Am.

The male suspect is described as medium complected and about 5' 8" tall and thin. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, black jeans and a red bandanna covering the lower part of his face. The female suspect is described as taller then the male and a heavier build. She was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and had visible ear piercings. A BB pistol and a latex glove were recovered from the scene.

Swatara Police ask anyone with knowledge of the robbery or the actors involved call 564-2550.

The two suspects have been identified and warrants for their arrest have been issued on charges of Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault. See Swatara's Most Wanted for further details on the warrants. The two are:

Jennifer C. Nace a 22 year old white female with a last known address of Zarker Street in Harrisburg.

Joshua Leonard Simmons a 23 year old black male with a last known address of Zarker Street in Harrisburg.

At approximately 5:30PM on December 13, 2007, Swatara Township Police arrested Patricia K. James for Prostitution. James is a 22 year old female of the 500 block of Maclay Street in Harrisburg. James was arrested after she agreed to perform sexual acts on an undercover police officer in exchange for money. The accused agreed to meet the under cover officer at the Howard Johnsons on Eisenhower Boulevard where she would perform the sex acts in exchange for $300. James was processed and release pending a summons charging her with Solicitation to Commit Prostitution.

At approximately 10:30AM on December 10, 2007, Swatara Township Police and officers from Harrisburg City Police arrested Payonna Williams for Prostitution. Williams is a 21 year old female of the 1900 block of Briggs Street in Harrisburg. Williams agreed to perform sexual acts on an undercover police officer in exchange for money. The accused agreed to meet the under cover officer at the Red Roof Hotel on Eisenhower Boulevard where she would perform the sex acts in exchange for $125. Williams was found to have two outstanding warrants. Williams was arraigned on charges of Solicitation to Commit Prostitution and committed to Dauphin County Prison on $5,000 bail.

Following Williams' arrest, her personal cell phone continued to receive calls. The caller was attempting to contact Williams and arrange for a sexual encounter. An under cover officer made the arrangement for the caller to meet Williams at the same Red Roof and perform sex acts for $125. At approximately 7:46PM, Swatara Township Police took Russell Leroy Wantz Jr into custody as he arrived at the room agreed upon to meet Williams. Wantz, a 57 year old male of Coffee Mill Lane, York, was charged with Criminal Attempt and arraigned at Night Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Swatara Township Police Detectives met with Lower Paxton Township Police Detectives for several hours on the night of December 4, 2007 developing information provided to Swatara Township Police in reference to recent armed robberies in the area. At approximately 8:45 p.m. Lower Paxton Township Detectives executed a search warrant and arrested a juvenile at his residence in the 4500 block of Sequoia Drive in Lower Paxton Township. Simultaneously, Swatara Township Detectives, with the assistance of Harrisburg City officers, executed a search warrant in the 1200 block of Rolleston Street. At that location another juvenile and an adult, Stephen R. St. Clair, a 19 year old white male, were taken into custody. Several items collected from the searches at both locations matched descriptions provided at the five Turkey Hill robberies which had occurred within the past five weeks in both municipalities.

The two juveniles are being charged as adults due to the frequency and severity of the crimes. All three were arraigned at Night Court and each placed in Dauphin County Prison on $150,000 straight bail and are:

Anyone with information related to the individuals or the crimes are asked to contact Swatara Township Police Department at 564-2550.

On November 30^th 2007, at 10:56 PM, Swatara Township Police were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle crash in the 7800 block of Chambers Hill Road. Upon arrival at the scene, police learned that the operator of a westbound motorcycle lost control, causing the motorcycle to fall and crash on the roadway. No other vehicles or people were involved. The operator, 25 year-old Ray Fountain of Hershey, was not wearing a helmet. He was rushed to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The crash kept Chambers Hill Road closed for over three hours. The crash is currently under investigation by the Dauphin County Accident Reconstruction Team. Anyone with information relative to the crash is urged to contact Swatara Township Police at 717-564-2550.

On November 28, 2007, at the direction of the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, the Swatara Township Police Department filed additional charges against Ryan Donachy and Deb Donachy in connection with the fire that caused the death of two of their children and severely injured a third child.

Both were arraigned on the new charges before Magisterial District Judge Michael Smith from Dauphin County Prison. They are both charged with the following crimes: 2 counts of Criminal Homicide, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault, 3 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 1 count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. No bail was granted due to the charge of Criminal Homicide. They continue to be held at the Dauphin County Prison.

The Swatara Township Police and the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office announce the arrest of Ryan R. Donachy, a 25 year old white male, and Deb Donachy, a 24 year old white female, of Swatara Township in connection with the fatal fire on November 3, 2007 that caused the death of two of their three children. The third child remains hospitalized at the Lehigh Valley Burn Center.

They were taken into custody this afternoon without incident following the funeral of their children after our investigators learned that that they were planning to flee the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ryan Donachy is charged with 3 counts of Endangering the Welfare of Children and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Deb Donachy is also charged with 3 counts of Endangering the Welfare of Children and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

These charges were filed and the warrants for their arrest were obtained after consultation with the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office. The charges were brought as a result of the living conditions that were found within the home and the evidence of drug usage found in the home during the investigation.

The couple will be arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Michael Smith later this afternoon.

On Saturday November 24, 2007 at approximately 12:50 AM, Swatara Police were dispatched to the Turkey Hill at 6300 Derry Street for the report of an armed robbery.

Witnesses reported that two black males age 20-25 wearing black hooded sweatshirts and black bandannas across their faces robbed the store at gunpoint. One of the suspects brandished a sawed off shotgun which may not be authentic while the other suspect went behind the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money. The shotgun had duct tape on it.

Anyone who may have information about the robbery is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 564-2550.

On November 8, 2007 at approximately 2:00 PM, Lower Paxton Police were dispatched to Staples, 4203 Union Deposit Road for a retail theft of a laptop computer. The individual ran out of the store with the computer, entered a green Jeep and fled onto East Park Drive.

A Swatara Township Police Officer responded to the area of East Park Drive and Derry Street and observed the vehicle traveling west on Derry Street from East Park Drive. The individual refused to stop for the officer and fled to Paxton Street. It was determined at that point that the individual was driving a stolen vehicle. Additional police units were positioned near Paxton and 20^th Streets as the vehicle approached. The vehicle turned into Faulkner Pontiac in an attempt to avoid the officers. The vehicle became blocked in by parked cars and the driver decided to exit the vehicle and flee on foot. As the individual ran, the vehicle he exited rolled forward and pinned him against a parked car in the lot and the pursuing officers were able to quickly and safely take the individual into custody.

The individual was identified as Keith Young, a 40 year old black male of North 6^th Street in Harrisburg City. He was treated at Harrisburg Hospital and released and now is awaiting Night Court to be arraigned on charges of retail theft, fleeing and attempting to elude police, driver’s required to be licensed, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. A background check on Young revealed four active warrants for his arrest.

On Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 7:38 p.m., Swatara Twp. Police units were dispatched to the 900 block of Main Street for the report of a structure fire with entrapment. Upon arrival Swatara Police assisted emergency medical personnel and the fire department treating the victims of the fire. Four people, one adult and three children were taken to the Hershey Medical Center by ambulance to be treated for their injuries. A second adult drove himself to the hospital and was treated for his injuries.

The Swatara Township Fire Marshal responded to the scene and began a preliminary investigation into the cause and origin of the fire. After an initial assessment the Fire Marshal requested police involvement. The State Police Fire Marshal and an investigator with the Dauphin District Attorney’s office responded to the scene to assist the Swatara Township Fire Marshal with a cause and origin investigation. Simultaneously, members of the Swatara Township Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene as requested by the Fire Marshal.

As this investigation was going forward, Police received news from the hospital that two of the three children had died from their injuries. They are identified as Britton Donachy, a 2 1/2 year old white male, and Onna Donachy, a 1 1/2 year old white female. The third child identified as Autum Donachy, a 5 month old white female, and her mother Deb Donachy, a 24 year old white female, were flown from the Hershey Medical Center to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center for treatment.

Late in the evening after reviewing evidence gathered at the scene and the hospital, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office in consultation with the Swatara Township Police opened a criminal investigation into the incident. At this time no arrests have been made and the investigation into the circumstances and the cause of the fire continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 717-564-2550.

The Swatara Township Police Department has made an arrest in the stabbing and assault which occurred on October 28, 2007. On October 29, 2007, Swatara Township Police officers arrested John H. Wright, a 49 year old black male from Steelton. Wright was arrested when an alert Swatara Township patrol officer spotted Wright’s vehicle drive past the location where he was assisting another officer on a traffic stop at the intersection of Cameron Street and Gibson Blvd. in Swatara Township. After spotting the vehicle, Patrolman David Milsteen was able to affect a traffic stop on the vehicle in the Borough of Steelton with assistance from other Swatara Township patrol officers. Wright was taken into custody without incident.

He was processed and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge George Zozos at night court on the following charges: Criminal Attempt Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Bail was set at $50,000. Wright was lodged in Dauphin County Prison.

On October 28, 2007 at about 5:50 AM, the Swatara Township Police Department received information that a stabbing victim was being treated at the Hershey Medical Center. The victim, a 43-year-old Steelton resident, reported that he was punched in the jaw and stabbed in the back after getting into an argument with an acquaintance. The victim reported that the incident occurred in the 1600 Block of South Cameron Street, Swatara Township. At this time his injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

The Swatara Township Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the assault. Anyone with information about this assault is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 717-564-2550.

On October 24, 2007 at approximately 12:27 PM, Swatara Police were dispatched to the parking lot of the Harrisburg Mall for the robbery of a motor vehicle at gun point.

The victim was attempting to enter his vehicle, which was parked in the lot near Macy’s, when approached from behind by two black males. One of the males placed a gun to the back of the victim’s head and demanded the vehicle. The victim was able to separate himself from the individuals, at which point, the male with the gun entered the vehicle and drove off. The stolen vehicle was recovered unoccupied by Swatara Officers a short time later in the Hall Manor housing complex, near South 13^th and Oyler Streets.

Anyone who may have information about the robbery is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 564-2550.

On October 6, 2007 at 2:59 AM, Swatara Police responded to a serious motor vehicle accident at the ramp from Route 322 westbound to Interstate 83 northbound. Upon arrival at the scene, police learned that the Pontiac Sunfire had traveled off the roadway and struck a tree. The driver of the Pontiac was deceased upon arrival. The Dauphin County Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the location to investigate the accident. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Officer Mason Heun at the Swatara Township Police Department, 564-2550 or mheun@swatarapolice.org.

On October 4, 2007 at approximately 3:11 AM, Swatara Police were dispatched to the area of North Harrisburg Street and Watson Street in Swatara Township for suspicious activity.

Two individuals had been observed carrying an aluminum ladder down the street toward the Jones Corner Bar. A short time later the sound of glass breaking was heard. A description of the individuals was immediately broadcast to responding officers. The first officer on scene observed the two individuals at the door to the establishment. Upon seeing the police cruiser, the two immediately fled the scene. Officers from both Swatara Township and Steelton Boro Police Departments arrived and were able to apprehend one of the fleeing burglars. The second individual is still at large.

The individual taken into custody was identified as Brandon Lamont Crosson, an 18 year old black male, of North 4^th Street in Steelton. He was charged with Criminal Attempt Burglary, Criminal Conspiracy and Possession of Instruments of Crime.

Anyone who may have information about the burglary or the second individual is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 564-2550.

On September 28, 2007 at approximately 2:01 AM, Swatara Police were dispatched to the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 765 Eisenhower Boulevard for an armed robbery.

Two black males entered the hotel, displayed handguns and demanded money from the front desk clerk. Both suspects were described as dark-skinned, approximately 6’6” tall and were dressed in black clothing. They fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in a yellow sedan of unknown make and model.

Anyone who may have information about the robbery is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 564-2550.

The Swatara Township Police Department received information from the Point Township Police Department, Northumberland County, PA about a magazine scam. Numerous people that they are investigating for selling fraudulent magazine subscriptions for a phony fundraiser may be staying in a Swatara Township hotel and operating in the Harrisburg Area.

The suspects are to be operating two white Ford E-350 vans with Florida tags. The vans have tinted windows. The suspect's typically go to a home and one suspect enters the home to speak with the resident while the other stands in the victim's backyard. If the suspects believe that the resident is suspicious of them they flee in one of the above described vehicles.

The suspects are described as Caucasian and African American and are in their late teens and early twenties.

Anyone with information of the whereabouts of these suspects or who observes this type of activity is asked to call the local police department where the activity is occurring. The Swatara Township Police Department can be reached at 717-564-2550.

On Friday evening, August 17, 2007, the Swatara Township Police Department, in cooperation with Dauphin County Probation and Parole Officers and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force, conducted a "special enforcement" detail targeting areas where numerous quality of life complaints and crime activity has been reported.

During the operation officers detected a very strong odor of marijuana in building 103 Worcester Avenue. Upon further investigation it was determined that the odor was emanating from a particular apartment. Officers were able to access the apartment and detain the occupants and then obtain a search warrant for the premises. A search warrant was executed on the apartment and police seized a .22 caliber revolver, over a pound of prepackaged marijuana and several thousand dollars in cash. The following persons were arrested as a result of this incident:

Bernard McMillion, a 33 year old male from Chambersburg, was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, manufacturing marijuana, former felon not to possess a firearm, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Schkira Washington, a 34 year old female from Worcester Ave, Swatara Township, was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both were arraigned at Dauphin County Night Court with McMillion being committed to Dauphin County Prison on $75,000 bail and Washington committed to Dauphin County Prison on $20,000 bail.

The individual captured on the surveillance camera was positively identified as William SANTIAGO, a 46 year old Hispanic male, with an address of Wiconisco Street in Harrisburg, PA. A warrant of arrest was obtained and a detective with Swatara Township Police Department spotted Santiago in a vehicle and, with the help of Susquehanna and Penbrook Police units, took him into custody.

The Swatara Township Police Department is investigating a series of burglaries at Cleveland Brothers on Old Paxton Street. The burglaries have taken place from May to the latest on August 13, 2007. Items taken include computers and some construction equipment. A photo was taken by the surveillance camera in the business during the August 13^th burglary. Click here to see photo on the Most Wanted page of this website.

Anyone who has information should contact Swatara Township Police Department at 717-564-2550.

BURGLARIES – 29 July 2007

The Swatara Township Police Department is investigating several burglaries that occurred overnight on Sunday, 29 July 2007 at three stores in the Harrisburg Mall on Paxton Street. The stores burglarized include the Limited, Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret. Two individuals forced open an exterior door to the mall gaining entry to a hallway leading to the stores. Once in the hallway they forced their way into the stores and removed an undisclosed amount of cash. The individuals were caught on surveillance cameras and the video is available on the website's Most Wanted page by clicking here.

If you have any information related to the burglaries or the identity of the individuals involved please contact the Swatara Police department at 564-2550.

DUI HIT AND RUN – 28 July 2007

On July 28, 2007, at 10:20 PM, Swatara Police responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Sycamore Street and 29^th Street. A black Mazda MX-6 had failed to negotiate the turn and came to rest in the parking lot of the Spring Creek facility causing property damage to the grass and concrete curbing. A witness observed the driver exit the vehicle and run south on Harrisburg Street. A male fitting the description was observed running on Harrisburg Street near Mall Road and detained by Swatara Police. That individual denied any involvement in the crash but was subsequently identified by the witness as the driver of the vehicle.

Swatara Police received further information that the same vehicle was involved in a crash just prior to this one at the intersection of Paxton Street and Sycamore Street where it struck an occupied vehicle and fled the scene. The driver of the struck vehicle was able to positively identify the Mazda as the vehicle that struck her.

The male driver was identified as Mister Stephen Kenyon Palmer, a 32 year old black male, with a last known address of Laurel, Maryland. Palmer was charged with driving under the influence, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, making false reports to police, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license, no insurance and fraudulent license plates.

If you have any information related to either accident or the driver of the striking vehicle please contact the Swatara Police department at 564-2550.

On 22 May 2007, the Swatara Township Police Department became aware of three males who had approached an individual asking for help in cashing checks. The males told the victim they didn’t have identification so they couldn’t cash the checks themselves. They promised some of the money if the victim helped them. At first, the victim agreed and was able to cash the checks and received part of the money but became suspicious of the males and questioned the authenticity of the checks. The victim came to the police for help. The checks were verified to be fraudulent. The following day the victim received a phone call from the males requesting assistance with another check. With police present, a location to meet was agreed upon over the phone and when the three males arrived they were taken into custody without incident.

The three suspects were not cooperative with their identification and had to be identified using their fingerprints. Police do not believe the three are from the area and may be from Virginia or North Carolina. The three were charged with Forgery, Identity Theft, Theft by Deception and Criminal Conspiracy. They were identified as George Brown, Sam Cherry and Anthony Woods. Brown was found to be wanted by Morgan County Indiana Sheriff’s Department for felony theft charges.

Anyone with information related to this incident are asked to contact Detective Haney at the Swatara Township Police Department at 564-2550 and reference case no. 07-0008325.

On May 20th at approximately 6:25PM, a juvenile male was walking on Franklin Street at 47th Street in Swatara Township when an older model light blue Dodge Caravan swerved across the street and asked the victim if he needed a ride. The victim replied no and the driver responded, “yes you do” and reached out in an attempt to grab the victim. The victim then fled on foot towards his home. The van went south on 47th St. toward Derry St. The victim stated that the same person approached him on May 11, 2007 at about 3:00PM in the same van and asked if he needed a ride but left the area after he said no. The victim described the driver as a fair complected medium sized white male in his late 40s or early 50s, thin brown hair with receding hairline and oval face. On both occasions the driver was wearing a gray t-shirt.

In a joint investigation by the Swatara Township and Lower Paxton Township Police Departments into robberies of cab drivers three males have been charged.

On May 14, 2007, with the assistance of the Dauphin County Crisis Response Team, a search warrant was executed at the apartment of one suspect in the Chestnut Pointe Apartment complex in the 3600 block of Chambers Hill Road. At that time one suspect was taken into custody. During the search of this apartment a loaded 22 caliber revolver and a loaded 32-caliber semi auto handgun were recovered.

Through subsequent investigative work by Detective Chris Everett, Swatara Township and Detective Gary Flythe, Lower Paxton Township, additional suspects were identified and charged. Those charged were:

McAlpine and Kendrick have been arrested and arraigned. Both are free after posting $40,000 and $15,000 bail respectively.

On 4-21-07 Swatara Township Police Department arrested Edwin Ayala for a rash of vehicle break-ins in the parking lot of Home Depot, 4200 Derry St. Ayala is charged with 10 counts of Theft from a Vehicle by Swatara Police and one count of Theft from a Vehicle by Lower Paxton Township Police for an incident in the parking lot of Lowe’s on Union Deposit Rd. These incidents occurred over a period of time beginning in early March.

Ayala was taken into custody after a short pursuit by units from Swatara Township, Paxtang Boro and Harrisburg City Police after having just committed his last theft from a vehicle at Home Depot on Derry Street. Alert employees from Home Depot assisted in identifying the suspect. He was arraigned in night court and remanded to Dauphin County Prison on $50,000 bail, as well as three warrants from Berks County.

Ayala, 42, lists addresses in the 1200 block of Mulberry St and the first block of N.16^th St in Harrisburg.

Anyone with information pertaining to these thefts can contact Swatara Police at 717.564.2550.

On this date at 2:18 PM, fire apparatus from Swatara Township and neighboring jurisdictions responded to a fire at the Holiday Inn located at 4751 Lindle Road. The fire occurred in the basement of the building, and caused the entire hotel to be evacuated. There were no serious injuries reported. The fire is currently under investigation.

The Swatara Township Police Department and Harrisburg City Police responded to the intersection of 20^th St at Sycamore St. for a vehicle accident and a shots fired call on 3-31-07 at about 0730 hours. The police detained Manuel Castro, 42, of the 100 block of Evergreen St. Harrisburg. It has been determined that Castro rammed the vehicle he was driving into a car driven by his ex-girlfriend. He then fired two shots at a male who was in the woman’s car. The male fled the scene on foot and called 911 at a residence in the neighborhood.

Swatara Township Police placed Manuel Castro under arrest. He will be arraigned at Dauphin County Night Court on the charges of Criminal Attempt Homicide; two counts of Aggravated Assault and Reckless Endangering another person.

Any persons witnessing this incident are requested to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at (717) 564-2550.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2007, Swatara Police responded to Planet Fitness Health Club at 3460 Paxton St. for a report of a stabbing. The victim was involved in a fight with suspect Luis Figueroa-Rivera, a 36 year old Hispanic male, in the parking lot of the club. During the fight, Figueroa-Rivera sliced the victim in the back with a box cutter type knife. The victim refused treatment at the scene. An arrest warrant is being obtained for Figueroa-Rivera for the charge of Aggravated Assault.

Anyone with information as to the location of Figueroa-Rivera is asked to call Swatara Police at 564-2550.

On February 27, 2007, the Swatara Township Police Department arrested Donald Stalter of North 66^th Street in Swatara Township, Dauphin County. The 71 year old Stalter has been charged with sexually molesting his 7 year old granddaughter over the past couple months. Stalter’s charges include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor.

Anyone with information about this case should contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 717.564.2550.

On February 7, 2007 at 10:08 AM, Swatara Township Police responded to a serious motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Orchard Drive and Kelker Street. Upon arrival at the scene, Police learned that a westbound drywall truck operated by 39-year-old Jerod George struck a southbound Honda coupe operated by 39-year-old Kent Francis. Francis was transported to the Hershey Medical Center via helicopter, and remains in critical condition. The Dauphin County Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the location to investigate the accident.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the Swatara Township Police at 717-564-2550.

The Swatara Police Department recently made four arrests in an internal theft scheme that netted over $500,000 in cash from Verdelli Farms in the 7500 block of Grayson Road.

A former employee, K. Eugene Henry of Columbia, has been charged with Theft by Extortion, Theft by Deception and Conspiracy. Three other truck drivers from companies that deliver goods for Verdelli Farms were also charged. Those drivers, two from the Dillsburg area and one from the Reading area, have been charged with Theft by Deception and Conspiracy. All defendants have been arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Steven Semic and released on unsecured bail to await their hearings. Henry waived his preliminary hearing at his arraignment.

Someone removed a mailbox, pictured below, sometime overnight on January 5th, from the 7800 Block of Chamber Hill Road in Swatara Township. Because of the unique design, the owner is asking whoever took the fish mailbox to please return it. Anyone with information may contact Detective Sergeant Mike Farling of Swatara Police Department at 564-2550 and reference case number 07-0000319.

The Swatara Township Police Department is seeking information on an armed robbery that occurred the evening of December 16, 2006 at the 7-Eleven convenience store in the 4800 block of Derry Street.

At approximately 9:15 p.m., two black males, one armed with an assault type rifle, entered the 7-Eleven and at gun-point ordered the store clerk to surrender all cash from the register and safe. In addition to an undisclosed amount of cash, various cigars and cigarettes were taken from the store.

The suspects are described as black males, both approximately 6’ in height, wearing black ski-masks, black gloves, jeans and winter jackets. One suspect was wearing a black jacket with a fur lined hood, the other was wearing a green jacket and had a dark grey hooded sweatshirt beneath the jacket.

The suspects left the store on foot and then fled the area in a vehicle that was parked behind the store. To view photos and video of the individuals click here. Anyone with information regarding this robbery is urged to contact the Swatara Township Police Department at 717-564-2550.

On November 18^th, 2006, at 9:35 PM, Swatara Township Police were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle accident at the intersection of 32^nd Street and Sycamore Street. Upon police arrival, it was determined that one of the drivers had suffered extensive injuries. That driver was identified as Dawn Farling, a 54 year-old resident of Enola. Farling was taken to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for treatment. The Dauphin County Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the location to investigate the accident. The Swatara Township Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the accident contact Cpl. Thomas Stauffer at 564-2550.

The Swatara Township Police Department is saddened by the announcement that Mrs. Farling succumbed to her injuries on November 19, 2006 at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The Dauphin County Accident Reconstruction Team continues to investigate the accident. Anyone with information relative to the accident is urged to contact Cpl. Thomas Stauffer.

Detectives Chris Everett and Tim Shatto of the Swatara Township Police Department took part in Operation FALCON III - Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally - A massive fugitive operation that took place the week of October 22- 28, 2006 and covered the eastern half of the United States. As a cooperative effort between Deputy U.S. Marshals and state, local and other federal agencies, Operation FALCON III removed some of the country’s most dangerous sex offenders and gang members from the streets, making America’s communities safer. The task force members arrested a total of 10,773 felony fugitives. This number includes 1,659 sex offenders and 364 documented gang members. Locally, Marshals Service personnel and task force officers from the Middle District of Pennsylvania cleared 168 warrants, including 33 for sex offenses or failure to register as a sex offender, and arrested a total of 137 fugitives during the operation. The Middle District of Pennsylvania covers 33 counties of central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The operation was a cooperative effort by 30 Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, 103 State Law Enforcement Agencies, 430 County Sheriffs Departments, 482 Local Police Departments and 18 Foreign Law Enforcement Agencies. In all, each day more than 3,000 law enforcement officers worked together tirelessly during this record setting operation. Detectives Everett and Shatto personally took part in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs along with money and guns while searching for wanted felons. For more information go to http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon3/.

Buckle Up PA is a project funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation dedicated to raising the seat belt usage level in Pennsylvania through increased enforcement, public awareness and education. Nearly every state now requires adults to wear seat belts. Throughout the state this coming holiday season, additional traffic enforcement is scheduled.

Swatara Police investigate approximately 90 traffic accidents each month, some result in fatalities. Traffic accidents kill more people between the ages of one and forty-four than anything else. Nationally, every nine seconds someone is injured in a traffic accident. Approximately every thirteen minutes, someone is killed in a traffic accident. Seat belts are intended to reduce the risk of death and injuries by stopping the wearer from hitting hard interior components of the vehicle or from being thrown from the vehicle.

If you are stopped and cited for a traffic violation and found to be unbuckled, you could get two tickets, two fines. A secondary seat belt citation will add an additional $60 to your total fine, so Click It or Ticket. It's not just about enforcing laws. It's about saving lives. Effective law enforcement not only improves the quality of life in communities, it helps protect the lives of our children. That's why enforcing traffic safety laws is one of Swatara Police Department’s most important responsibilities and we are serious about saving lives!

This information was provided by the Swatara Township Police Department, Community Services Unit. This unit, headed by Cpl Kevin Gallick, consists of Ptlm John Schmoyer and Ptlm Alan Reinhart (School Resource Officer). If you would like the police department to participate in your next community event, please contact one of these officers. They are also available to assist with community related police issues.

On October 19^th, 2006 at 9:39 PM, Swatara Township Police responded to a motor vehicle accident in the 1600 block of South 19^th Street. Upon arrival at the scene, Police learned that a northbound vehicle struck a northbound bicyclist. The collision caused the bicyclist to lose control and fall to the ground. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The bicyclist is recovering from his injuries, but Swatara Township Police are still searching for the driver of the striking vehicle. It was described to police as a tan-colored car, but the witness had no further information. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Swatara Township Police at 564-2550.

Swatara Police executed a search warrant on a residence in the 1100 Block of 2^nd Avenue in the Oberlin Gardens section of Swatara Township. During the search police recovered several pieces of evidence related to the recent rooftop burglaries. Subsequent to this discovery police arrested Stanley Mosley, a 33 year old white male, of the 1100 blk of 2^nd Avenue and charged him with 7 counts of Burglary. Mosley was arraigned and incarcerated in Dauphin County Prison on $50,000 bail.

The following press releases have been issued by the Swatara Township Police Department. If you have any information relevant to the following investigations, you are urged to contact the Swatara Township Police Department.

BURGLARIES – 29 July 2007

DUI HIT AND RUN – 28 July 2007