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Police Log: DUI, Theft, Firearms Violations, Reckless Endangerment

Police Log: DUI, Theft, Firearms Violations, Reckless Endangerment

This police log includes reports from the Chambersburg Police Department.

Chambersburg: On 6/23/2019 at approximately 2211 hours, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle operated by Bradley Toms, 52, of Chambersburg. 

Police said Toms failed to stop at a steady red light signal at the intersection of South Second and East Queen Streets. 

He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the stop and was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and transported to Franklin County Jail.

He is charged with two counts of misdemeanor DUI — one for having a blood alcohol level of over .10 but under .17 and the second for being impaired and incapable of safe driving. Both are first offenses.

He was also charged with a summary traffic offense for running the red light.

Toms is free on $10,000 bail.


Theft of leased property: Stephen Mote, 26, St. Thomas, is wanted for Theft of leased property after he failed to make payments on property that he is leasing through Rent A Center, and also failed to return the property upon request from the business.

He is described as a white male, 5-lot, 11-inches tall, weighing 175 pounds with brown hair and green eyes.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest. A summons delivered to his last known address in St. Thomas was returned to Magisterial District Judge Glenn Mann’s office on June 11 as undeliverable. A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for July 9.


Firearms violations: Michael Dereef, 45, Chambersburg, is wanted for Persons not to possess a firearm, and also Firearms not to be carried without a license.  Both are felonies.

Dereff is described as a 6-foot tall black male with brown hair and eyes weighing 180 pounds.


Recklessly Endangering Another Person; Propulsion of Missiles Into an Occupied Vehicle: an arrest warrant has been issued for Jackael Lazaris Aaron, 20, Chambersburg, who is wanted on charges of Recklessly Endangering another person and also Propulsion of missiles into an occupied vehicle. 

Chambersburg police said Aaron threw a metal flag pole into the back window of the vehicle the victim was operating, shattering the window and almost striking the victim. 

Aaron is described as 5-foot 1-inches tall, weighing 140 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

Found Property

On 9/1/2026 at 2:34 p.m., CPD officers were dispatched to the lobby to speak with an employee from the Hamilton Heights who brought in a wallet that was left at

Charles E. Hawk 1951-2026

Charles was a 1970 graduate of the Chambersburg Area Senior High School. He worked at Pet Inc. and Geodis warehouse in Chambersburg.

Franklin County Schedules Mosquito Spray For Hamilton Township

Residential and recreational areas in Hamilton Township will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes beginning around sunset on Sept. 8.  Areas to be sprayed include but are not limited to: Sollenberger Road, Johnson Road, Leedy Drive, Holly Lane, Hamilton

2026 Ben’s Pick Contest Winners

The contest is over and the winners have been chosen. See the complete list of winners below. Winners will have a framed certificate delivered in the upcoming weeks. Thank you

Who We Are

The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

Rooted in the heart of Franklin County and powered by its residents, the Franklin County Free Press continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that the local stories, events, and issues that matter most to the community remain in the spotlight.