WEST LAMPETER TWP, Pa. -- Two men are on the loose, and another is in the hospital, after a fiery crash in Lancaster County this morning. Police said they are looking into whether the men were connected to two early morning robberies.
The first robbery happened at a Turkey Hill in Mountville. The second occurred at a Sunoco in Strasburg.
According to East Hempfield Township Police, the Sunoco was robbed just before 5:30 a.m. Strasburg police did not have any available units to send, so dispatchers sent out a 'Be on the lookout' alert to neighboring police departments, with a vehicle description.
An East Hempfield Township detective saw a vehicle matching the description and intimidated a traffic stop at the Turkey Hill on Lincoln Highway in West Lampeter Township. According to police, the driver took off on Strasburg Pike, and then lead police on a chase. Police said when the car turned onto Millport Road, the officer stopped pursuing the vehicle, but continued to trail it.
The car eventually crashed into an embankment and a fire hydrant on Millport Road, and burst into flames. Police said three men jumped out of the car. The detective chased one of the men through a cornfield and took him into custody. He is currently at Crozer Burn Center. Police are not releasing his name.
A State Police helicopter and dogs took part in the search, but two of the men are still on the loose.
Police are investigating why the men took off, and whether the men are connected to the earlier two earlier robberies.
Police said there is a chance the two men who ran are injured, possibly with burns.