Friday, April 27, 2012 Lewisberry Community Fire Co.'s last president is accused of damaging the fire station after the inactive fire company had already sold the building to Lewisberry Borough.

Dennis A. Beck, 44, of 450 Ridge Road in Newberry Township, is charged with second-degree misdemeanor criminal mischief. A preliminary hearing is currently set for May 16, according to court records.

On Nov. 13, Newberry Township police officers went to the 105 W. Front St. station and ordered the members of the fire company to stop."The situation at that time was just to stop any other damage and to keep the peace," charging documents state.

Officers found "the big items" had already been removed from the kitchen and put in the garage, and the building had been damaged in the process, police allege.Pipes, wires: Damage was mostly in the kitchen area, documents state; gas and drain pipes were cut and broken, electrical wires were cut and drywall was damaged.

It cost the borough's insurance company $2,680 to have the damage repaired, police said."Our position is that (Beck) directed all of the removals and did engage in some of the cutting and ripping of electrical lines, etc.," Newberry Township Police Chief John Snyder said.

Officers tried to resolve the issue by convincing members of the former fire company to pay for the damage they allegedly caused, according to the chief."It just didn't work out," Snyder said, and charges were filed against Beck on April 19.

full story at: http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/lewisberry-fire-company-president-charged-with-damaging/ae667a9846f745cba8067934591efed0