Wrightsville man faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing teen's soccer ball (police)

Lina Portman1 week ago

20 2 minutes read

A Wrightsville man is facing criminal charges after allegedly stealing a teenager's soccer ball — although police say there is much more to the story than a stolen soccer ball.

Joel Lynn Buch, 47, faces robbery and escape charges for the incident that took place June 5 in Hellam Township, according to court documents.

Hellam Township Police Chief Doug Pollock said there is more to the case, including several other active investigations that are still ongoing.

“Many other PFAs (protection from abuse orders) are attached to him,” he said in an interview. “It is complicated.”

Court records show Buch is named in at least one other case, filed Tuesday in York County Court of Common Pleas, related to contempt or violation of an order.

In Lancaster County, Buch faces additional charges — filed in April and May — for harassment, stalking and possession of a firearm. He was released on $3,000 bail on charges of criminal harassment and possession of a firearm. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for July 3.

Hellam Township football allegedly started when a 15-year-old boy told police that an older man driving a Hummer, later identified as Buch, stopped and demanded his football. Court records show the teen handed the football over as Buch counted down from 10. The boy told an officer he was afraid the man had a gun.

Later, court records show an officer spotted the Hummer described by the boy stopped at an intersection. The officer turned on his lights and siren, but the driver fled. This Hummer was later located at the River Ridge townhouses, with Buch standing in front of it.

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Investigators alleged that Buch went to a nearby home as officers approached and was then taken into custody.

A construction worker in the area told police he allegedly saw Buch light the football on fire, according to charging documents. Officers found the football still burning at the scene and put it out.

Buch's bail was set at $50,000 on the robbery and evading charges and he was booked into the York County Jail.

A preliminary hearing in the theft case is scheduled for September 5.

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Lina Portman

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