FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On 08/21/2019 at 10:29 PM, members of the LBPD were dispatched to a home in the 000 Block of Pennwick Drive for a reported burglary in-progress.  The initial dispatch information indicated that two males entered into the home, displayed a pistol and “pistol-whipped” one of the residents, demanded property and fled.

Members of the LBPD and the NLCRPD arrived less than one minute after the dispatch.  Both suspects had fled the area prior to the arrival of police.

This investigation is in the early stages and is actively on-going. 

The following information is preliminary and is actively being investigated by the LBPD CID.  The home was occupied by six people, all of whom were on different levels of the home.  One suspect entered the home and first encountered an occupant in a second-floor bedroom.  This suspect placed a pistol to the head of this occupant and demanded a specific item of property.  When the item was not turned over, the suspect “pistol-whipped” the occupant, striking him on the head with the pistol.  This occupant sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. 

Subsequently, another occupant in the home was confronted by this suspect and another demand for property was made of the second occupant, shoving this second occupant while the pistol was pointed at them.  Again, no property was turned over.  The second occupant ran out of the house via the front door and was chased by the suspect.  Once outside, a second suspect was observed by the occupant waiting outside.

Both suspects then fled the home and were last seen running south-bound on Pennwick Drive where they entered a waiting vehicle.  The vehicle left, traveling south-bound towards Landis Valley Road.  Upon reaching Landis Valley Road, the vehicle traveled an unknown direction from there.

Again, this investigation is in the early stages and information is still considered preliminary.  Based on the investigation thus far, the following information is being released:

Vehicle Description:

A dark-colored (possibly green), SUV (possibly a Ford). 

Suspects Description:

Both thin, light-skinned, black males.  Both males were shirtless and had their shirts placed against their face to disguise their face.

The LBPD wants to stress that preliminary information suggests this was NOT a random incident and was a pre-planned, targeted action against the occupants of the home.  There is no information to suggest the general public is in any danger.  In an abundance of caution, and in addition to the follow-up investigatory actions that are occurring, the LBPD will increase both marked and unmarked presence in the area to ease any concerns neighbors may have.  The LBPD urges local residents to maintain normal levels of diligence, awareness of their surroundings and maintain the normal personal and home safeguards they would otherwise employ.

Anyone with information is urged to call the LBPD at 717-626-6393, email tips@lititzpd.org or you can click here.  Information can be provided anonymously.  Additionally, people are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity they may see or hear.  This is best done by calling 911.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available and is deemed appropriate to release without compromising the investigation.

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