West Chester police report major burglary arrest, graffiti case clearances and canine expansion

West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee told the Public Safety Committee that a recent arrest is tied to a large string of burglaries and that the department has cleared at least two significant vandalism cases.

Lee said officers arrested a suspect, identified as Lawrence Doss, who faces charges connected to more than 30 burglaries. “More than 700 hours of police work was put into this,” Lee said, calling it the department’s largest case in the past year. He said court action is pending and that at least one preliminary hearing was missed by the defendant.

On vandalism, Lee credited Officer Lopez Torres with more than 50 hours of work on a graffiti and burglary case at a converted bridal facility on East Gay Street; that investigation led to charges for burglary and multiple counts of criminal mischief, with court action pending.

Lee also reviewed arrests tied to Super Bowl-related celebrations: three people were arrested in connection with incidents surrounding the event. One person will be charged with damaging camera and traffic-signal equipment; two others were charged with public intoxication. The department has not determined whether the individuals are West Chester University students and expects to report that information next month. Lee said restitution would be sought if convictions result.

The chief also updated the committee on the department's canine program. Odin, a dual-trained patrol and narcotics canine, has been in service about six months and has multiple successful deployments. The department expects to acquire and train a second canine through a purchase order approved earlier by the finance committee; that dog will be dual-trained in patrol and explosives detection and is expected to enter service around June 1.

Ending: Chief Lee said investigations remain active and that the department will continue to report updates at future meetings.