On Wednesday morning around 225 p.m., Manheim Police were called to a burglary on North Strickler Road in Rapho Township.
A witness told police that three men entered the home through a back door and carried out guns. The witness did not recognize any of the men.
The witness decided to follow the suspects’ vehicle, a yellow pickup truck with a yellow cap.
An officer located the truck as it was being followed and pulled it over in the 2300 block of Hossler Road. The officer observed a long gun case in the bed of the pickup truck concealed under a bed mattress and box spring.
As the vehicle was being stopped, the other two suspects had been dropped off and were re-entering the home.
Officers headed back to the home on Strickler Drive and found another suspect, who tried to run from the officer.
The third suspect was spotted walking through the victim’s front yard.
The suspect driving the truck was identified as Wilbur Tosten, 65 of Hagerstown. The man who tried to flee from police was identified as Galen Scott Myers, also of Hagerstown. The suspect walking in the yard was identified as James Tosten of Hagerstown.
An investigation determined all three entered the residence and removed property including guns, jewelry and other valuables. All three admitted to the thefts and burglary.
The victim was not known by the suspects.
Manheim Borough Police conducted a search warrant of the suspect’s vehicle and the bags the suspects were carrying. Police recovered 14 firearms; nine pistols, two shotguns and three rifles. Also recovered were numerous items of jewelry all of which are believed to belong to the victim.
“This was an outstanding example of what neighbors should be doing for each other. The witnesses saw something that did not look right, called police, and three felons were apprehended. The witnesses and responding Officers did an incredible job with this apprehension. This was a potentially dangerous incident that involved a large amount of firearms. The witnesses and Officers involved were at great risk. There is no doubt in my mind that these firearms would have been illegally sold on the street and placed into the hands of other criminals. This particular incident kept 14 firearms from entering the street, and put 3 out of State burglars in prison to be held accountable for their actions. Please remember if you see something, report it,” stated Manheim Borough Police Chief Joseph C. Stauffer
A witness told police that three men entered the home through a back door and carried out guns. The witness did not recognize any of the men.
The witness decided to follow the suspects’ vehicle, a yellow pickup truck with a yellow cap.
An officer located the truck as it was being followed and pulled it over in the 2300 block of Hossler Road. The officer observed a long gun case in the bed of the pickup truck concealed under a bed mattress and box spring.
As the vehicle was being stopped, the other two suspects had been dropped off and were re-entering the home.
Officers headed back to the home on Strickler Drive and found another suspect, who tried to run from the officer.
The third suspect was spotted walking through the victim’s front yard.
The suspect driving the truck was identified as Wilbur Tosten, 65 of Hagerstown. The man who tried to flee from police was identified as Galen Scott Myers, also of Hagerstown. The suspect walking in the yard was identified as James Tosten of Hagerstown.
An investigation determined all three entered the residence and removed property including guns, jewelry and other valuables. All three admitted to the thefts and burglary.
The victim was not known by the suspects.
Manheim Borough Police conducted a search warrant of the suspect’s vehicle and the bags the suspects were carrying. Police recovered 14 firearms; nine pistols, two shotguns and three rifles. Also recovered were numerous items of jewelry all of which are believed to belong to the victim.
“This was an outstanding example of what neighbors should be doing for each other. The witnesses saw something that did not look right, called police, and three felons were apprehended. The witnesses and responding Officers did an incredible job with this apprehension. This was a potentially dangerous incident that involved a large amount of firearms. The witnesses and Officers involved were at great risk. There is no doubt in my mind that these firearms would have been illegally sold on the street and placed into the hands of other criminals. This particular incident kept 14 firearms from entering the street, and put 3 out of State burglars in prison to be held accountable for their actions. Please remember if you see something, report it,” stated Manheim Borough Police Chief Joseph C. Stauffer