Police arrest three E-town men for stealing more than $10K in valuables from vehicles

Elizabethtown police arrested three local residents on Dec. 2 after stopping a vehicle in the first block of West Bainbridge Street. The vehicle was stopped based on a description broadcast by Susquehanna Regional Police Department for a suspicious vehicle and its occupants who were trying to enter vehicles.

Police arrested Clifford Hostetter, 26; Jeremy Wise, 20; and Adam Zink, 19, all of Elizabethtown, after obtaining information during the traffic stop and a subsequent investigation that is ongoing. They were charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft that ocurred in Elizabethtown. They were arraigned in front of District Justice Jayne Duncan and in lieu of $25,000 cash bail each were committed to Lancaster County Prison.

Police said the investigation also revealed a widespread pattern of thefts from vehicles by Hostetter, Wise and Zink since sometime in August.This resulted in the recovery of over 300 hundred stolen items from the homes of the defendants, with an estimated value of over $10,000. Elizabethtown police have contacted police departments elsewhere in Lancaster County, as well as Dauphin and Lebanon counties, to determine additional victims and to attempt to return the property.

Additional charges are expected. The investigation is ongoing. Officer Greg Sheffer is the point of contact for inquiries regarding this investigation, he can be reached at 367-6540 Ext. 246.

Anyone who had items stolen from their vehicle in the Borough of Elizabethtown is asked to contact Officer Sheffer or email the Elizabethtown Police Department at elizabethtownadmin(at)police(dot)co(dot)lancaster(dot)pa(dot)us.

Victims who have had items stolen from vehicles who reside outside of Elizabethtown should contact their local police department to follow up on this investigation.

The investigation revealed that nearly all of the thefts from vehicles were done from unlocked vehicles. Borough Police Chief strongly advised people not to keep valuables in sight in their vehicles and to lock them.

Breaking into vehicles "is a crime of opportunity" and those committing the crime are "looking for the easiest target."

Airbags stolen from Chevy Cobalts

Elizabethtown police had two reports of the theft of driver side air bags from Chevrolet Cobalts this past week. 

The thefts occurred on March 5 and 8 during the overnight hours in the 600 block of North Lime Street and 300 block of North Cherry Alley. The air bag modules are valued at $750 each.

"The air bags are being cut out of the steering wheel of the vehicles. This is unusual for our community," said Elizabethtown Police Chief Jack Mentzer. "Air bag thefts are much more common in urban areas but unfortunately has come to our community." 

Mentzer reminded citizens to lock their car doors and to be alert to any suspicious activity and if they see or hear something suspicious, call the police immediately. 

It goes without saying that owners of Chevrolet Cobalts should be extra vigilant, though this type of crime is not limited to this particular make and model. It just depends on the demand in the illegal car parts market where these items are typically sold. 

Mentzer added if you are a victim of this type of crime it is important to report it to the
police. There is a serial number on the air bag module that can be traced back to your car if the stolen module is located.

Anyone having information on these crimes is asked to contact the Elizabethtown Police Department at 367-1835.