Author Archives: Adam Flurry

Suspended License Leads to Gun and Shooting Arrest

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A keen eye by Sergeant Shawn Gunnett and smooth talking by Detective Sergeant Robert Whiteford resulting in numerous firearms related charges for a Lancaster City man.

On May 1st 2022 at about 1 AM, Sergeant Gunnett observed the man driving in the 100 block of S Queen Street. Sergeant Gunnett knew the man had a suspended driver’s license and was aware that he was involved in a daytime shooting about one month prior. Without hesitation, Sergeant Gunnett conducted a traffic stop. With his instincts and gift of gab, Sergeant Gunnett spoke with the man and learned that he had illegally possessed a handgun, as well as marijuana, in his car. Sergeant Gunnett was able to seize these items and arrested the man.

While at the police station, Sergeant Gunnett notified investigators of the arrest. Sergeant Robert Whiteford spoke with the man and received his confession of the prior shooting. Sergeant Whiteford also learned of several other crimes that the male had committed, which are still under investigation.

This was a great example of great police work and cooperation to lead to the arrest of this dangerous individual. Thank you Sergeant Gunnett for your bravery in stopping a violent person and extending the investigation beyond a traffic ticket. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all members of our department involved in this investigation and arrest!

Homicide Arrest Made After 20-month Investigation

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The end of April 2022 brought an end to an extensive homicide investigation as Detective Ryan Burgett filed criminal homicide charges on an adult man.

In September 2020, members of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police were called to a shooting in the 500 block of East End Avenue. Detectives immediately began an investigation by looking for cameras, canvassing for witnesses, and examining evidence. The shooting victim, who was initially transported to a local hospital for treatment, succumbed to their injuries several days later. 

At the onset of the investigation, it was known that it would not be easy. Throughout the next year and a half, Detective Ryan Burgett worked tirelessly in uncovering additional evidence and speaking with person after person in an attempt to connect all of the information together. From this, a suspect was developed.

Several months into the investigation, and with the assistance of Detective Toby Hickey, a major breakthrough in the case was made. Detective Burgett seized the opportunity and left no stone unturned. The lead to the discovery of additional persons of interests and investigative routes to explore.

Further assistance in the investigation came from Officer Christopher Kophamel and Officer Michael Schwebel when they made a traffic stop in January 2022. The passenger, the suspect of the shooting, was arrested on an outstanding probation warrant and found in possession of a handgun and a large amount of prescription medication.

His hard work paid off and on April 29th Detective Burgett filed charges of criminal homicide and persons not to possess firearms against the male. The accused is an extremely dangerous individual and he will now be out of our community thanks to the hard work of Detective Burgett and many other members of the Lancaster City Police.

Police Bounce Bouncer, Stolen Gun Recovered

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On April 23rd 2022 at about 3 AM, members of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police responded to a noise complaint at a private club in the 300 block of N Queen Street. Officer Andrew Conard was the first to respond.

Officer Conard verified that the noise was at an unacceptable level and spoke with an adult male security guard at the establishment. During their conversation, Officer Conard realized that the man had a handgun tucked into his waistband. Officer Kevin Golinsky recognized the man and knew that he was a convicted felon. Officer Conard calmly took control of the handgun and arrested the male. It was found that the handgun had been stolen about 6 months ago from a neighboring jurisdiction.

A job well done to Officer Conard and Golinsky in taking a stolen gun out of a felon’s hands!

Man Calls In His Own Arrest

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Over the course of several months, detectives in the Lancaster City Police Violent Crime Unit worked with PA Department of Corrections Intelligence Analyst Damien Mscisz regarding an adult male illegally possessing firearms. Analyst Mscisz had uncovered phone and video calls of the male conversing with an inmate. During these conversations the man was displaying and describing, in great detail, his collection of handguns and accessories which attracted the attention of the inmate as well as the police. 

On April 20th 2022 members of the Special Emergency Response Team conducted their own call…at the man’s house. Eager to show off his stolen handgun to the police, the man threw it out of his third story bedroom to the street below and at the feet of Detective Stan Roache. All of the occupants were then quickly and safely removed from the house and a search was conducted inside by numerous detectives.

Inside the house, police found numerous high capacity “extended” magazines as well as a 50-round drum style magazine. A large amount of ammunition for various calibers of handguns were also seized. Approximately ¼ pound of marijuana, packaged for sale, and numerous prescription medications were found as well.

This investigation started and ended with great teamwork and coordination. Thank you to all involved for your hard work and commitment to making Lancaster City safe for everyone!

Officers Arrest Wanted Man Armed With Two Handguns

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Just before 10 pm on April 10th 2022, Officers Kevin Golinsky and Travis Briggs were on patrol when they saw an unlicensed adult male driving a vehicle. Acting on the violation, officers stopped the car in the 200 block of N Queen Street.

While speaking with the driver and his adult male passenger, Officers Golinksy and Briggs noticed that both were extremely nervous. Low and behold, both had reason to be. The passenger was found to have a warrant and, once he realized the gig was up, the man alerted officers that he was armed with not one but two handguns. Officers quickly and safely seized the 9mm and Standard .38 semi-automatic handguns the man had hidden on his torso. The man, a convicted felon for prior arrests of drug dealing and illegal gun carrying, is safely behind bars.

Thank you Officers Golinksy and Briggs for taking action as well as for your bravery and professionalism!

SEU Investigation Leads to Seizure of Four Firearms and $25,000 Worth of Drugs

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Early in 2022, the members of the Selective Enforcement Unit became aware of drug sales being conducted from a residence in the 900 block of State Street. Over the next several months these dedicated officers used a variety of investigative techniques in order to build a strong case against the occupants of the home and their involvement in the sale of a variety of drugs. Further into the investigation, officers learned that there was a high likelihood of the presence of firearms inside.

Knowing the effect that drug sellers have on a neighborhood, officers spoke with numerous residents in the area. These neighbors had previously felt safe in and out of their home but were frightened and intimidated by the occupants and visitors of the residence. Reaching out to neighboring jurisdictions, our officers found that the people related to this home had been committing a variety of crimes ranging from nuisance to felonious. Understanding that drug investigations extend beyond the neighborhood, our officer contacted County, State, and Federal agencies, all of whom quickly agreed to lend their assistance to this highly reputable unit.

All of this hard work came to a head on 8 April 2022 when a search warrant was conducted at the residence. Our officers served the search warrant along with the assistance of the following agencies:

  • Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team
  • Pennsylvania Counterdrug Joint Task Force (PA National Guard)
  • Pennsylvania Officer of the Attorney General
  • Manheim Township Police Department
  • East Hempfield Police Department

Upon searching the residence officers located the following evidence:

  • One revolver with an obliterated serial number
  • Two semi-automatic handguns
  • One shotgun
  • 129.6 grams of crack cocaine, partially packaged for sale ($12,960 street value)
  • 111.8 grams of powder cocaine, partially packaged for sale ($11,180 street value)
  • 2.16 grams of heroin, packaged for sale ($720 street value)
  • 28 grams of marijuana ($280 street value)
  • 5 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms ($50 street value)
  • 8 Suboxone tabs ($80 street value)
  • 8 Amphetamine pills ($80 street value)
  • $310 U.S. Currency

Two residents of the home were arrested and charged for felony and misdemeanor grade drug violations as well as felony level firearms violations. 

This investigation exemplifies the hard work, dedication, and commitment of these officers. They showed their care for their community, their investigative skills, their humility, and their pursuit of the criminals who destroy the civility of our neighborhoods. For this, and all you do every day, we thank you!

Child Rapist Arrested After Undercover Operation

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A sexual predator is in jail thanks to the efforts of Detective Jared Snader.

Since September 2021, Detective Snader has been working diligently in speaking with numerous child victims and witnesses about an adult male. Through his investigation Detective Snader learned that this male had raped and engaged in other illegal sexual contact with several female children. Detective Snader was able to build rapport and trust with those involved in order to ensure this man would be held accountable.

On March 24th 2022, Detective Snader spearheaded an undercover operation in order to lure the man to his arrest. The male, believing that he was communicating with a juvenile female, went to the Park City Mall where he planned to have sexual intercourse with her. Instead, he was met by Detective Snader and numerous other detectives who quickly placed him under arrest.

Thank you Detective Snader for getting justice for these victimized girls and preventing this man from continuing his wicked behavior!

Lancaster City Police Ring in Spring 2022 With Five Guns

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It was a beautiful Spring weekend in Lancaster City and the officers of the Lancaster City Police were out and about doing what they do best–keeping the City safe!

Officer J Hatfield kicked off the weekend just before 1 AM on March 19th. Responding to an active disturbance, Officer Hatfield watched as an adult male took a handgun from the inside of a car, put it in his waistband, and went to leave the area. Officer Hatfield immediately followed after him and bravely kept pursuing as the male removed the handgun and threw it over a fence. The man, a felon unable to possess a firearm, was quickly caught and his handgun was retrieved.

About half an hour later, Officers Ryan Yoder and Matthew Deibler took action when they saw a group of juveniles meandering about the 100 block of Locust Street. When officers went to speak with them, the group scattered in separate directions. As he was being pursued by Officer Yoder, one of the juvenile males removed a handgun from his waistband and threw it to the ground. He was arrested shortly after and found with a significant quantity of marijuana, crack cocaine, and heroin as well as just over $1,400. 

At about 2:30 AM on March 20th officers responded to the 200 block of E Liberty Street after receiving a report of a group of people breaking into parked vehicles. As Officer Jonathan Reppert was in the area he saw a group of juvenile males running from the area. Officer Reppert chased one of the males and quickly saw that he was armed with a handgun. Officer Reppert courageously chased the male through several dark alleys. Knowing that the male was trying to hide, Officer Reppert coordinated responding officers around the area to prevent the male from escaping. The plan worked as the male was unable to escape the watch of Officer Reppert and ran himself into being captured by Officer Tyler Chubb. After the arrest, Officer Eric Erb looked into a nearby yard and found the male’s discarded handgun. Officer Benjamin Strausser located a second handgun which had been thrown by another individual during a separate foot chase.

A little over an hour later, a convicted felon thought it was his lucky day as he found a handgun laying in the street. Unfortunately for him, a citizen watched the adult male conceal the gun and immediately called the police. Officer Eric Erb was able to locate the male and directed Officers Benjamin Rothermel and Grant Gale to him. The handgun was found, discarded by the male, several feet away. Upon his arrest, the male was also found to have a quantity of heroin.

These are just four examples of the great work our officers put in every day. Thank you to all of our officers for your hard work and courage. Lancastrians will have an easier time taking in the fresh spring air knowing that these guns, drugs, and criminals are off of the streets.

Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught Grease-Handed

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An aware citizen called police to the area of N Mary Street and W Frederick Street as they saw that a catalytic converter was being stolen from a parked car. Officers quickly responded to the surrounding area to search for the culprits.

As they arrived, officers were able to provide a description of the vehicle that was involved in the theft. Shortly after this, Officer Christopher Kophamel spotted the car and was able to stop and identify the two adult males inside. Looking inside the car, Officer Kophamel recognized the tools used in the theft were inside and the two men inside were covered in grease and road debris. Officer Kophamel later found more tools, as well as the convertor, inside the vehicle.

A quick response, attention to detail, and good teamwork made this great arrest possible. Thank you to all the officers involved!

Back To Prison For Federal Parolee

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A Federal parolee is safely behind bars after his latest meet and greet with the Lancaster City Police.

In the afternoon of March 10th 2022, Sergeant Andrew Nauman was attempting to locate an adult male involved in a domestic violence investigation. Sgt. Nauman was able to locate and stop him in the 300 block of E Walnut Street and found that a warrant related to a separate domestic assault had just been issued for the man’s arrest earlier that day.

Upon taking him into custody Sgt. Nauman found that the male, a convicted felon on Federal Parole, had a handgun in his waistband. The man also had over 300 grams of marijuana, over 300 pills of Ecstacy, a large amount of Oxycodone, and drug packaging materials.

Great work Sgt. Nauman for taking him off of our streets!