Category Archives: Drug Arrest

Arrests in which drugs were seized.

Backwards Pursuits Send Perpetrators Back to Jail

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Three males were charged after the driver of their vehicle rammed a police car and tried to escape while driving in reverse.

On August 27th, Officer Ryan Yoder observed a vehicle that had previously been involved in criminal activity, including fleeing from officers. Acting on an inspection violation, Officer Yoder stopped the vehicle in the 700 block of Manor Street. As the stop occurred, two occupants began to walk away from the vehicle. As Officer Yoder was making contact with these two individuals the driver, a juvenile male, rammed into Officer Yoder’s car and left the parking lot.

Officer Yoder immediately pursued the car as it backed out onto the street. As Officer Yoder was leaving the parking lot, the driver accelerated forward rapidly and struck Officer Yoder’s vehicle again. The driver again began to drive, in reverse, away from Officer Yoder.

Seeing an opportunity to protect countless individuals driving and walking in the area, Officer Yoder was quickly able to disable the fleeing vehicle and contain it safely. The driver began to exit the vehicle, with a stolen handgun in his hand, as Officer Yoder approached. Fortunately for all, the driver dropped the handgun while trying to get out of the car. Officer Yoder quickly seized the handgun and the driver was placed under arrest with the assistance of responding officers. A later search of the car yielded a second stolen handgun.

Through a thorough investigation and with the help of numerous other members of the Lancaster City Police, the two fleeing passengers were quickly identified. Evidence linking both of these individuals with possessing the seized handguns was also located by Officer Yoder. All three occupants were charged with various firearms and stolen property offenses. The driver was also charged with a number of assault, drug, and fleeing offenses as well.

Great work by Officer Yoder in finding and apprehending these dangerous people! Our city is that much safer with your actions!

Two Drug Dealers Charged From One Stop

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After a brief game of cat and mouse, two drug dealers were caught with three different types of poison: crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and methamphetamine.

On May 21st Officers Harry Valverde and Randall Myers were on patrol in the southwest portion of Lancaster City when they noticed two men in a vehicle attempting to hide from them. Traveling at high rates of speed, through narrow alleys, and trying to walk away from the car was not enough effort to avoid these two officers. During the stop Officers Valverde and Myers discovered that the men were in possession of large amounts of money and had evidence of drugs inside the car. A later search of the car yielded nearly $1,000 of street drugs and the two were charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substances.

Excellent persistence and observations by these officers led to this great arrest. Thank you Officers Valverde and Myers as well as all of the officers of our department for a job well done!

Man Wanted for Gun Possession Arrested for Gun Possession

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On May 21st Officer Ryan Yoder discovered an unregistered vehicle driving in the area of S Prince Street and W Farnum Street. Officer Yoder stopped the car and made contact with the driver, an adult man. During the course of the interaction, Officer Yoder noticed signs that there were drugs inside the car and found that the man was wanted through York County. The warrant, related to a prior arrest for illegally possessing a handgun, was verified and the man was arrested.

After the arrest, Officer Yoder discovered that the man had an empty handgun holster with him. Curious to why the holster was empty, and using all of his observations to that point, Officer Yoder was granted a search warrant for the car. Upon searching the car, Officer Yoder was able to locate the man’s illegally possessed handgun as well as his 32 grams of crack cocaine and drug packaging materials.

Thank you Officer Yoder for putting this dangerous individual behind bars as well as removing a handgun and $3,200 worth of drugs from our community!

Amateur Armorer Charged After Warrant

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A month-long investigation into a Lancaster City man resulted in a search warrant at his home in the 500 block of First Street.

During the month of April 2022, the Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU) conducted an investigation into the sale and construction of firearms and peddling of drugs from the man’s home. On May 7th SEU officers, with the assistance of the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team, conducted a search warrant at the address.

As a result of the search warrant, two rifles and a plethora of gun smithing tools and firearm parts were located and seized. Ammunition for handguns and rifles as well as packaging materials for drugs were also found which lead to numerous felony and misdemeanor charges against the man, who is a prior felon.

Thank you to the members of the Selective Enforcement Unit for your commitment and bravery. This investigation will no doubt help Lancaster City continue to be a safe place to be.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

Gun Carrying Drug Dealer Unable to Avoid Capture

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A gun carrying drug dealer was caught in the act on March 8th 2022.

It was about 3 AM when Officers Randall Myers and Charlie Darkes-Burkey spotted an adult male acting suspiciously in an area well-known for drug sales. The male attempted to leave the area in his car, not realizing that our officers were already several steps ahead of him. Unable to hide from officers, he was stopped for a traffic violation. Still thinking he was smarter than our officers, the driver unsuccessfully tried to hide an illegal handgun underneath his seat. Further investigation found a significant amount of marijuana, methamphetamine, and drug packaging materials.

Thank you Officers Myers and Darkes-Burkey for your diligence in removing guns, drugs, and criminals from Lancaster City!