Jennifer L. Dommel arrested after Red Carpet Inn knife-point robbery
A motel clerk was robbed at knifepoint and restrained with tape; the suspect was identified and arrested later the same day.
On Aug. 19, 2026 at about 03:35 a.m., a 31-year-old male front desk clerk at the Red Carpet Inn, 2101 Columbia Ave., in East Hempfield Township reported that a hooded female had displayed a knife, taped his hands and demanded cash before fleeing on foot. Police later identified the suspect as 48-year-old Jennifer L. Dommel, who had been living out of a vehicle near the business; she was taken into custody that afternoon and charged with one count each of felony robbery, misdemeanor unlawful restraint and misdemeanor simple assault, then turned over to Lancaster County Prison—Central Booking. Dommel is presumed innocent.