Lansford man charged with stealing vehicle, damaging second one

A Lansford man is facing multiple charges in connection with two incidents on Jan. 28 when he tried to steal one vehicle and then stole a different one, eventually crashing it in Jim Thorpe.

Lansford police charged Lewis Lloyd Searfoss, 45, of the 300 block of West Patterson Street, in connection with the incidents.

In separate affidavits of probable cause, police provided the details of the incidents.

Initially, police were called to East Abbott Street at 4:40 p.m. when a man reported Searfoss was found in his 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup. When confronted by the owner, Searfoss told him he was trying to get home.

Police said Searfoss got out of the vehicle and headed east on Kline Avenue. He was described as being disoriented and appearing to be under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol.

Police said the owner found his ignition was broken and “punched out,” with a “Master Lock” having been used to break the ignition.

Later, at 5:17 p.m., police were called to the parking lot of the Turkey Hill Store, 22-32 W. Patterson St., where another man reported he left his Jeep Grand Cherokee running while he entered the store, and it was stolen.

Police said the Jim Thorpe Police Department observed the vehicle and began pursuit, later learning it was Searfoss who was driving the vehicle. Police said the vehicle was involved in a crash and “totaled.” When police arrived at the scene, they made contact with Searfoss, who was being treated by Lehighton Ambulance personnel. He was eventually transported to St. Luke’s Gnaden Huetten Campus in Lehighton.

For his involvement in the earlier incident, police charged Searfoss with criminal mischief for having damaged the pickup.

The second incident netted Searfoss charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief.