Robber Attacks Worker with Grill Brush, Mace
By: Mark Hiller
Updated: April 12, 2012
"Off the (expletive) property," shouted an unidentified worker from Waste Reduction and Recycling Center in Hanover Township. He was obviously tense just hours after a violent crime on the property. Police say a 58-year-old Hanover Township woman was on the job around 5:00 a.m. which was two hours before the business opened for the day. That's when a masked man forced his way through the door. The robber, armed with a grill brush and mace, attacked and injured the worker and stole her purse. A customer who arrived hours later at the facility finds the crime a troubling sign of the times. "It's something. You never know. These days you've got to keep everything locked up," said Joe Knouse of Shickshinny.
Eyewitness News attempted to learn more about the victim's condition as well as security at the work site but was ordered to leave the premises. Waste Reduction and Recycling isn't the only business with early hours along the Sans Souci Parkway. News of the violent crime is raising concerns in this business district. "Not safe. Panic. Panicky and we're concerned and we have to be careful," said Vipin Kansal who is a co-owner of Subway down the block. The restaurant opens at 7:00 a.m. just like the Recycling Center and also has workers on duty before opening for customers. Subway's co-owners already take precautions. "We have ADT security here. So we have cameras all over the place," said Mr. Kansal.
Subway customer Lindsay Stevenson of Harveys Lake says fear of violent crimes is why she brings mace with her. "I carry it on my keys," she said. "When I walk to my car I hold it just in case anything happened." "You hear about more violence, more drugs, a lot of bad things happening in the area and it's progressively getting worse," said fellow Subway customer Scott Wibberley of Berwick.
Hanover Township medics treated the assault and robbery victim at the scene for facial injuries. The robber got away in an unknown vehicle. Anyone with information on the crime is urged to call Hanover Township Police Department at 570-825-1254 or Luzerne County 911.
