Man accused of driving impounded car from East Petersburg tow lot faces multiple charges
Authorities say a Lititz man allegedly drove a towed Hyundai out of a fenced impound lot in East Petersburg, nearly striking an employee; a breath test showed a .245% BAC and he faces theft, DUI and other charges.
On August 3, 2026, around 3:30 p.m., Northern Lancaster County Regional Police responded to Waynes Towing on the 5100 block of Main Street in East Petersburg after a Hyundai was being removed from a fenced, posted impound lot without authorization. Officers say 39-year-old James William Beal of Lititz entered the enclosed area, accelerated the vehicle, nearly struck an employee while leaving without paying fees, and later provided a breath sample registering a .245% BAC; he was charged with theft by unlawful taking (F3), two counts of DUI, two counts of recklessly endangering another, and defiant trespass.