EPHRATA, PA – James O’Donnell Jr., 48, was arrested by the Ephrata Police Department on March 28th, 2023, after a burglar alarm was reported at a storage building in the first block of East Locust Street, Ephrata Borough. Police searched the two-story building with the assistance of a police K9 from a neighboring department and located O’Donnell on the second floor of the building.
O’Donnell was arrested for criminal trespass and possession of a small amount of marijuana. During a subsequent interview with an Ephrata Police Detective, O’Donnell admitted to committing a burglary and stealing tools, antiques, and personal property from the same building on East Locust Street in January of 2023. As a result, police charged O’Donnell with burglary.
O’Donnell is presumed innocent and is currently incarcerated in Lancaster County Prison. The Ephrata Police Department urges anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity or has any information related to this case to contact them. The department also reminds residents to always report any suspicious activity immediately to the police.