ASHLAND - The Ashland Police Department was kept very busy late last week with a rash of burglaries and thefts possibly committed by a few suspects.
Police Chief Adam J. Bernodin Jr. said the incidents occurred between Nov. 14 to 16 that included burglaries of homes and garages, thefts from vehicles and one incident with a theft of a car that led to damage to the Willow Park softball field on Friday.
Bernodin said one to three people may have been involved and suspects are being questioned as the investigation continues.
Borough police were called out for the following:
- Nov. 14 - James Dwyer, 27 S. 17th St., reported that someone broke into his garage overnight and stole various items. Bernodin said many of the items were recovered by the police in a nearby alley.
- Nov. 14 - About an hour after Dwyer's complaint, Rick White, 1730 Spruce St., reported to police that someone broke into his garage and stole the GPS unit from a Dodge Dakota after smashing the back sliding window.
- Nov. 16 - Helping Hands Thrift Store, 1005 Centre St. Bernodin said someone broke in overnight, going through a small side window, and stole more than $300 in cash.
- Nov. 16 - Police were called to 1006 Centre St. for an burglary where the second floor apartment was ransacked it overnight, with medication and an undetermined amount of cash stolen.
- Nov. 16 - Bernodin said police were called to the home of Joshua Hubler and Amanda McCauley, 1931 Walnut St.. They told police they left the house and when they returned, they found the house ransacked and about $360 in cash was stolen.
- Nov. 16 - Margaret Miller, 26 S. 11th St., reported that someone broke into her vehicle and stole medication.
- Nov. 16 - Police received a call that someone had broken into the home of Edward and Beverly Kane, 1031 Walnut St. about 2 a.m. when the couple were in bed.
"They heard someone coming up the stairs and when they went to check, somebody ran out of the house into the back alley," said Bernodin. "The only thing they saw missing initially was money."
"This is how bad this was. This person or persons were just on a tear and gave it hell," said Bernodin.
On the evening of Nov. 16, police were called to Willow Park about a vehicle in the park.
"When they got to the park, they found the front gates (of the girls softball field) were smashed, the picnic bench was smashed, and whoever was in the vehicle took the car into the field, made a mess, and got hung up on a fence post," said Bernodin. "They left the vehicle there. It was running when it was found."
The Hyundai Sonata is owned by Brandy Kessler, 1226 Centre St., Ashland, and was parked in the 1100 block of Centre Street when it was stolen. Bernodin said the car was unlocked and the keys in the ignition.
"The vehicle was impounded to check if fingerprints can be found," said Bernodin. "I want to see if the state police
Bernodin said the police department extremely busy just keeping up with the calls.
"We had a heck of a bad weekend," said Bernodin.
Bernodin had some advice for people to prevent such thefts.
"My recommendation is to keep their cars locked. Most vehicles they got into had their doors unlocked," said Bernodin. "And the doors in your house must be locked. It's not like 30 years ago when you left things open. You can't today."
Bernodin said if anyone has any information about any of the incidents to call the Ashland police at 875-2600 or call the Schuylkill County Communications Center non-emergency line at 462-1991.