Beaver Township seeing more thefts, break-ins

October 20, 2012 at 4:48p.m.

NORTH LIMA

A new business opened its doors this week as expected, even after having part of its heating and cooling units stolen.

“Stuff ... A spectacular resale mall” is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in the former Giant Eagle, 11734 South Ave.

Owner Bob Neapolitan said the building, which has been vacant for years, had copper and compressors stolen from the roof about two weeks ago.

“We decided to go forward with opening because I’ve had a lot of support from dealers, who are volunteering anything and everything because they’re counting on this,” he said.

The resale mall contains vendors who offer antiques, modern furniture, collectibles and eclectic T-shirts and memorabilia. Neapolitan also plans to move a greenhouse to the property in the spring.

Beaver Township Police Chief Carl Frost said thefts and breaking-and-entering cases have increased slightly.

“Yes, there has been an uptick lately. We’re getting more and more of those complaints” of break-ins at unoccupied structures, he said.

“This is just a guess, but I think Beaver was a little slower than some of the other communities to start getting a few houses going into foreclosure. I don’t have any stats to prove that, just a gut feeling,” he continued.