FARRELL, PA. Man steals church van, robs plant

By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Police are looking for a thoughtful robber who stole a church van, used it as a getaway vehicle and then brought it back.
The suspect, whom police have identified but who is still at large, worked for the Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ at 1825 Roemer Blvd. over the summer, police said.
He helped make trips to the Dean Dairy plant in South Pymatuning Township to pick up juice for the church day care center, police said.
The man came back to the church about 8 a.m. Thursday and told a day care worker that he was taking the church van to pick up the juice. However, the worker became suspicious and learned that the man wasn't working for the church anymore.
Police were notified, but by that time, the man had driven to Dean Dairy, where he robbed the plant, then drove the van into a ditch while making his getaway.
He was able to get the van out of the ditch and drove back to Farrell with one flat tire, parking the van at the church and tossing the keys through the church door before fleeing on foot, police said.
Tracking the suspect
Farrell police ordered a lock-down of the nearby Farrell Area School District buildings because they didn't know if the suspect was armed or where he went.
They brought in Sharon's canine unit in an attempt to track him, but the dog lost the scent after a short distance, police said.
Details of the robbery were unavailable from South Pymatuning police this morning.