Annville Township

Theft by Unlawful Taking, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Receiving Stolen Property – On Sept. 6, police arrested Kevin Rulapaugh, 32, of Annville, and cited him with theft by unlawful taking, theft from a motor vehicle, and receiving stolen property. Charges stem from an incident on Sept. 5 at Maple and Saylor streets, where it was reported that Rulapaugh stole a handgun and other items from an unoccupied parked vehicle. Police took Rulapaugh to LCCB, where he was arraigned, and his bail was set at $40,000. Rulapaugh was also detained for a probation violation and subsequently lodged at LCCF.

Bethel Township

Death by Suicide – At 1:46 p.m. Sept. 1, police responded to Beach Run for a deceased, 53-year-old Fredericksburg man. The investigation is ongoing.

City of Lebanon

DUI – At 2:14 a.m. Sept. 3, police arrested Antonio Gonzalez-Garcia, 48, of Lebanon, for driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance on North 11th and Maple streets in a 2005 Toyota Sienna van.

Fire – At 9:32 p.m. Sept. 4, the Lebanon City Fire Department requested police assistance on the 200 block of East Cumberland Street due to a fire caused by a chemical explosion. The victim fled from the apartment and was not on the scene when the fire department arrived. A fireman sustained a minor chemical burn on his arm and was not hospitalized.

Police suspected a small methamphetamine lab had exploded with isolated damage to the single apartment. Police requested the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team respond to mitigate any chemicals and render the area safe for occupancy.

Police searched the rear of the apartment building and located Brian Gingrich, 57, of Lebanon, hiding under a boat. It was immediately apparent that Gingrich was injured as a result of the chemical explosion. He was transported to a local medical facility, then transferred to a facility specializing in burn injuries. Gingrich is recovering from his wounds.

Lebanon City Police and the Lebanon County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Police allege Gingrich was making methamphetamine, accusing him of
possessing the components and precursors to manufacture the drug. Charges are pending Gingrich’s recovery and completion of the investigation.

No other occupants were injured during this event. The American Red Cross assisted displaced residents until the building was reoccupied.

Harassment – At 8:26 a.m. Aug. 12, police cited a 33-year-old Lebanon man with harassment after an incident on the 600 block of Walnut Street.

Disorderly Conduct – At 7:19 p.m. Aug. 2, police cited a 19-year-old Lebanon man with disorderly conduct after an incident on the 200 block of Cumberland Street.

Disorderly Conduct – At 9:56 p.m. Aug. 25, police cited a 22,-year-old Lebanon man with disorderly conduct after an incident on the 200 block of South 4th Street.

Vaccination Against Rabies Required, Applications for Dog Licenses – At 4:15 p.m. Aug. 1, police cited a 36-year-old Lebanon man with vaccination against rabies required and applications for dog licenses on the 900 block of Guilford Street.

Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, Public Drunkenness – At 5:01 p.m. Aug. 28, police cited Alec Swisher, 22, of South Lebanon Township, with two counts of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness after an incident on the 00 block of North 12th Street. Swisher is accused of damaging property that did not belong to him. The damage is valued at $1,500. Police apprehended Swisher and transported him to LCCB. Swisher was arraigned before MDJ Figueroa and incarcerated at LCCF in lieu of $2,500 bail.

Drug Sale – At 8:35 a.m. Aug. 24, police served a search warrant on the 1300 block of Monument Street relative to a narcotics investigation regarding the sale of heroin/fentanyl. Police recovered 100 packets of heroin/fentanyl, cash, and related drug paraphernalia on the scene. As a result, police arrested Magaly Perez-Lantigua, 49, of Lebanon, and cited her with felony and misdemeanor drug offenses. Perez-Lantigua was lodged at LCCF on a probation violation and the new charges stemming from this incident. PSP Troop L VICE/Narcotics was assisted by other members of PSP Jonestown, PSP K9, PSP Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and the Lebanon County Drug Task Force.

Cornwall Borough

Vehicle Accident – At 5:40 p.m. Sept. 6, a crash occurred on SR 117 near Old Mine Road. A vehicle driven by a 25-year-old Harrisburg woman was traveling south on SR 117 when her vehicle slid off the road into a ditch. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Heidelberg Township

Theft by Deception – Police responded to Yoder Lane for a theft that occurred sometime between 6:21 p.m. Aug. 17 and 9:26 p.m. Sept. 1. Police determined that an unknown individual(s) gained access to the victim’s Venmo account on two separate occasions. The unknown individual(s) then transferred $950 and $2,000 from the victim’s Venmo account to two different bank accounts. The victim was a 31-year-old Newmanstown woman. The investigation is ongoing.

Jackson Township

Scattering Rubbish – At 8:37 a.m. Sept. 1, police responded to Quarry Drive and East Mill Avenue for a scattering of rubbish incident. Police determined that the suspect arrived at the location and placed several waste items beside the garbage cans. The items were lying on the ground and not contained within a bag. Police found identifying paperwork in the waste items. The investigation is ongoing.

Millcreek Township

Criminal Mischief under $1,000 – Police responded to Progress Drive for criminal mischief that occurred sometime between 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and 9:43 a.m. Sept. 4. Police determined that an unknown individual(s) dented a doorknob at the residence within the previous two to three days. Police also discovered minor damage on the door. The property damage was valued at $150. Police conducted an area canvass with negative results. No surveillance cameras or witnesses were located. The victims were a 34-year-old Newmanstown woman and a 50-year-old Newmanstown man. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact PSP Jonestown at 717-865-2194 and reference incident number PA2022-1139433.

North Cornwall Township

Dogs Running at Large – At 7:41 a.m. Aug. 31, police responded to the 900 block of Lilac Lane for a dog running loose. The dog’s owner, a 38-year-old Lebanon woman, was cited for dogs running at large.

Harassment – At 11:09 a.m. Sept. 2, police responded to the 1800 block of Center Street for a report of a physical domestic. A 79-year-old Lebanon woman scratched the female victim during the argument. Police cited her with harassment.

Assault – At 11:21 p.m. Sept. 4, police responded to Creekside Lane for a report of an altercation. Christopher Arnold, 37, of Lebanon, pushed the female victim down, grabbed her by the neck, and struck her in the face. Police arrested Arnold for assault.

Driving While Suspended – At 3:17 a.m. Sept. 5, police responded to the 2100 block of Cumberland Street for a suspicious vehicle. Police determined that a 38-year-old Lebanon man was driving with a suspended license. Police cited him for driving while suspended.

Warrant, Accidents Causing Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property – At 11:27 p.m. Sept. 8, police were on patrol and observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed west on Chestnut Street. The vehicle bottomed out, swerved and attempted to elude the police, but eventually came to a stop. Police arrested Kahseem Hill, 19, of Lebanon, for accidents causing damage to unattended vehicle or property, driving without a license, and reckless driving. Police transported Hill to LCCB.  

North Londonderry Township

DUI – At 3:42 p.m. Aug. 8, police cited Melissa Yoder, 41, of Lebanon, for driving while under the influence of alcohol after they responded to a call where Yoder was reported to be slumped over the wheel on Palmyra Bellegrove and Naftzinger roads. Yoder’s BAC was .30% at the time of the incident.

Arrest Warrant, Aggravated Sexual Battery, Forcible Sodomy, Indecent Liberties – At 9 a.m. Sept. 5, police were notified by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia that they have an arrest warrant out for Shawn Gooden, 47, of Palmyra, and requested that Gooden be arrested if located. Police responded to Gooden’s residence on the 00 block of Blackberry Lane, arrested him on the warrant, and took him to LCCB for arraignment. Gooden was then placed in the Lebanon County Prison, pending extradition back to Virginia. Gooden’s felony charges include two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of forcible sodomy, and two counts of indecent liberties.

DUI, Operating Vehicle with No Tail Lights – At 1:11 a.m. July 17, police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated with no tail lights activated on the 1300 block of East Main Street. During the stop, police found Joseph Henderson Jr., 26, of Brandywine, Maryland, was driving while under the influence of alcohol. Henderson’s BAC was .12% at the time of the stop. Police cited Henderson with DUI and operating vehicle with no tail lights.

Confinement of Dogs – At 9:14 p.m. Aug. 23, a dog caused an accident on the 100 block of Glen Road. A dog owned by a 39-year-old Annville man ran from its premises and struck a motor vehicle, causing a motor vehicle accident. The dog was not secured to a leash or chain to keep it from running loose. Police cited the man with confinement of dogs.

Bus Stop Incident – At 5:11 p.m. Sept. 7, police received a report of suspicious activity that occurred near Old Forge Road and Peach Street. The caller reported that around 7:05 a.m., a man in a truck approached a juvenile waiting at a bus stop.

Police located and spoke with a witness. The witness reported that, while waiting at the bus stop, they saw a silver pickup truck turn from Old Forge Road onto Peach Street. The truck drove to the end of Peach Street and turned around. The truck drove back to the bus stop and stopped beside the student waiting for the bus.

The driver spoke to the student and made a comment about getting inside the truck because of the rain. The witness intervened and asked them if they knew the driver. When the student said they did not know the driver, the witness told the student not to get inside the truck.

The driver then approached the witness, and said that he is a “neighbor” and had concerns about the student standing in the rain. The driver left the area but later drove by the area after the bus picked up the students.

The witness described the vehicle as a silver pickup truck with an extended cab. The witness described the driver as a white man in his 60s or 70s, thin build with gray hair and short facial hair.

Anyone with information can contact the police department at 717-838-5276 or by email at tips@nlondtwp.com.

Update: The person from this incident came to the police department and spoke with police. The driver explained why he approached the student and he had no ill intentions. Police notified the student’s parents and explained the reason why the driver stopped and spoke to the student. Since the driver had no criminal intent, no charges are forthcoming.

Palmyra Borough

DUI, Restriction on Alcoholic Beverage, Obedience to Traffic Control Devices – At approximately 12:55 a.m. July 8, police conducted a traffic stop on the 500 block of East Main Street. Police identified the driver as Alan Conklin, 52. Police observed Conklin exhibiting signs of impairment, arrested him for suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and took him to the Good Samaritan Hospital for a blood draw. On Aug. 26, charges were filed at MDJ Garver’s office against Conklin for DUI-incapable of safe driving, DUI-highest rate, restriction on alcoholic beverage, and obedience to traffic control devices.

Arrest Warrant – At 9:19 p.m. Sept. 8, police initiated a traffic stop on the 800 block of West Main Street. Police identified the driver as Andre Banks, 28. Police determined Banks had an arrest warrant out of Harrisburg for indirect criminal contempt (PFA violation). Police placed Banks under arrest for the warrant and transported him to Dauphin County Prison. 

Bench Warrant – At 10:54 a.m. Sept. 9, police made a pedestrian stop on a man walking in the middle of the road near Grant and Arch streets. Police identified the man as Manuel Vazquez, 58, and determined that he had a bench warrant out of Dauphin County for simple assault. Police placed Vazquez under arrest for the warrant and transported him to LCCB to await transport.   

South Londonderry Township

Vehicle Accident, Improper Left Turn – At approximately 5:21 p.m. Aug. 30, police responded to Horseshoe Pike and Hinkle Road for a report of a motor vehicle accident blocking the road. Police determined that a 41-year-old Hershey woman made an improper left turn and struck a vehicle driven by a 57-year-old Annville woman. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Campbelltown Fire Department also assisted on the scene. Police cited the Hershey woman with improper left turn.

Union Township

Vehicle Accident, Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed – At 2:08 p.m. Aug. 13, a single-vehicle crash occurred as a 2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R driven by a 20-year-old New Oxford man was traveling east in the east lane of Moonshine Road (SR 443). The New Oxford man was attempting to negotiate a left curve when he lost control of the Kawasaki, which left the road, slipping toward the right into a raised embankment. The Kawasaki then hit a utility pole and came to a rest on the roadway. The man was wearing a motorcycle helmet and sustained suspected minor injuries but refused transport. Police cited him with driving vehicle at safe speed.

About the LebTown Blotter
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