Area police seek suspect in antique vendor jewelry thefts

Police from two Lancaster County departments are seeking information on an individual who stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from antique vendors since last week.

The individual, a white male with a pony-tail, targeted three stores on Oct. 8, in East Cocalico Township and Columbia Borough.

Photos courtesy Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office

They are:

– Adams Antiques, Route 272, East Cocalico Township;

– Route 272 Antiques and Collectibles, Route 272, East Cocalico Township;

– Burning Bridge Antiques, Walnut Street, Columbia.

Surveillance images of the individual are attached. If anyone recognizes the man, or was a victim of similar theft, contact East Cocalico Township Police Detective Keith Neff at 717-336-1725.

The man is believed to be driving a gray sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Impala or something similar.

Police believe the pony-tailed man is acting alone, stealing jewelry of all sorts: rings, necklaces, bracelets. He’s been defeating locks on cases/displays to get to the jewelry, which he then puts in pockets. He is doing so inconspicuously, so police believe he’s done this type of activity before

He stole an estimated $11,000 worth of items from the Columbia store, and an estimated $5,000-plus in items from the East Cocalico Township locations. Many of the items were being sold under consignment, so the amounts could increase as owners do inventory and realize what they lost.

Police believe the same man targeted an antique store Oct. 12 in Harrisonburg, Va., stealing jewelry there as well.