Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Sometimes you just can't wait for the police to arrive to stop a crime.
A woman in Ephrata took the law into her own hands Monday, pulling her gun on a man who tried to break into her car and detaining him until police got there.
Ephrata police already had been alerted by a 911 caller that two men were entering cars along Misty and Creek lanes at 2:30 a.m. Monday, according to criminal complaints. But the woman took action when she saw the man trying to break into a car in her driveway at Meadow View and Overlook drives.
"She was an alert, lawfully armed citizen,’’ Ephrata police Lt. Chris McKim said. He declined to identify the woman.
Police arrested Robert Joseph LaFleur, 22, of Denver after the woman turned him over.
It wasn't easy: LaFleur resisted, and an officer had to use a Taser on him before taking him into custody, according to Ephrata police Sgt. Matthew Randolph.
Assisting Ephrata police in the incident, East Cocalico Township police went to the suspect vehicle and found a second suspect, Colton James Lynch, 21.
The car turned out to have been recently stolen from Pine Street in Denver, Randolph said. Police recovered numerous electronic items from LaFleur, which also are believed to have been stolen.
LaFleur and Lynch admitted to police they entered numerous vehicles in the areas of Misty Lane, Creek Lane and Meadow View Drive in Ephrata, and Pine and Main streets in Denver, according to criminal complaints. They also admitted stealing the car, according to the complaints.
Police charged LaFleur and Lynch with receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at night. Lafleur was also charged with resisting arrest.
LaFleur was committed to Lancaster County Prison after failing to post $25,000 bail. Lynch was transported to Lancaster General Hospital for treatment of an unrelated prior medical issue. He will be arraigned after his release from the hospital.
Ephrata police ask anyone who had items stolen from their vehicles in those areas to call Det. Kenneth Lockhart Jr. at 738-9200.