Stolen Funeral Home Van, Firearm, Armed Robbery: Man in Custody After Alleged Crime Spree
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Aug. 31, 2026) – A 24-year-old West Virginia man is in custody in Pennsylvania for an alleged multi-county crime spree that started early this morning in Tuscarawas County.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Detective Captain Adam Fisher says deputies were called around 4:45 a.m. after a van was reported stolen from the RK Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Fisher says the suspect also took clothing that made him appear connected to the business.
Fisher says the man told authorities that he first broke into a Tuscarawas County home, shortly before entering the funeral home, where he stole a firearm and other items.
The suspect then allegedly admitted to using the stolen van in an armed robbery at a Harrison County gas station in Scio shortly before 5:30 a.m.
That van was later found using Flock license plate readers outside of Pittsburgh, in Imperial, according to a Facebook post by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. With the assistance of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Allegany County Police Department, the suspect and vehicle were apprehended a few hours after the robbery.
Fisher says the suspect allegedly confessed to all the crimes to local authorities.
The suspect’s name is not being released yet, pending formal charges and warrants. He is expected to face charges in both Tuscarawas and Harrison counties. Fisher says extradition from Pennsylvania could take a short time or several days, depending on court proceedings and whether Pennsylvania files charges.