Lancaster state police are seeking help from citizens who might have spotted "suspicious" activity late Tuesday night around the Hess Express station on Route 30 at Gap.

Just before 10 p.m., a man walked into the store at 5387 Lincoln Highway East, Gap, wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun, Trooper Michele Smith said.

The man took money from both cash registers in the store and then fled on foot. He wore a multi-colored hooded shirt with stripes, police were told.

The ski mask covered the man's face. A surveillance video showed him approaching the store from the east which was the same direction he fled.

"Anyone who may have been in or near the store between 9:45-9:55 p.m. and saw any suspicious vehicle or person — specifically on the east side of the building — is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police tip line at 717-391-6944," said Smith.

Callers can remain anonymous. They also can call Lancaster City/County CrimeStoppers at 1-800-322-1913 and remain anonymous.

In other police incidents:

• A Lancaster man pulled the fire alarm at a Manheim Township restaurant/bar after being asked to leave the premises, township police said.

Earl F. Rebman IV, 21, of East King Street, faces charges from the Dec. 14 incident at the American Bar and Grill, 1081 N. Plum St., police said.

After allegedly causing a disturbance, Rebman was asked to leave the establishment at 12:40 a.m., police said.

"As he did so, he pulled the fire alarm which caused the fire department and police department to respond," said Sgt. Thomas E. Rudzinski.

Sgt. William Sindorf filed charges of disorderly conduct and false alarms to agencies of public safety against Rebman on Dec. 22.

• A 37-year-old woman was injured by flying glass in an alleged assault incident reported early today in the parking lot of the Turkey Hill Minit Market, 806 New Holland Ave., Manheim Township police said.

The woman, who is from Lancaster, was sitting in her vehicle waiting for a friend shortly before 2 a.m. when a man from a nearby vehicle punched her window, police said.

The window shattered, and the woman ended up with an eye injury which required medical treatment, police said.

The window puncher fled from the scene. Estimated damage was $500, police said.

• Another window-breaking incident happened just after 3:30 a.m. today at the Rodeway Inn, 30 Keller Ave., Manheim Township police said.

Joshua J. Laughman, 28, of 215 N. Marshall St., was inside a hotel room with friends who would not let him leave, police were told.

Laughman allegedly broke a window to climb out of the room. Officer Cody Lewis, who was patrolling the hotel parking lot at the time, heard the breaking glass and saw Laughman walk away from the shattered window, police said.

Laughman was arrested on charges of criminal mischief and public drunkenness, police said.


Staff writer John M. Hoober III can be reached at jhoober@LNPnews.com or 481-6027.