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Felon Attempts To Kidnap Girl At PA Sheetz, Police Say

A convicted felon has been held without bail after attempting to kidnap a girl at a Pennsylvania Sheetz, police announced on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Jared Michael Sweigard and the Sheetz located at 1158 River Road in Marietta where the kidnapping attempt allegedly happened.

Jared Michael Sweigard and the Sheetz located at 1158 River Road in Marietta where the kidnapping attempt allegedly happened.

Photo Credit: Ephrata Township PD (overlay); Google Maps (Street View)

Jared Michael Sweigard, 42, of Enola, was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 13, after multiple kidnapping attempts, according to police and court documents.

The first incident happened at the Sheetz Convenience Store and Gas Station located at 1158 River Road in Marietta, according to the police.

When officers arrived to the report of a  "suspicious person" and people told them that a man in his 40s attempted to enter their vehicle while they were inside it, they locked the doors after he began walking around it. 

Then the man walked around the parking lot going over to a group of teens, telling a girl that she had "5 seconds to get in the truck," the victims told the police.

She refused and eventually he left the sheets parking lot and went to a housing development across the street, according to the police release. Then he approached a couple going up the stairs to an apartment, and pushed the man aside and  "attempted to grab" the woman, as stated in the release.

The victims provided details about what the suspect was wearing and the vehicle he was driving. 

Sweigard was later found in Lancaster City driving the vehicle and wearing the same clothing described by the victims, the police said.

Sweigard was later transferred into the custody of Susquehanna Regional Police Department officers and transported to the police station where he was questioned. 

"Sweigard admitted to his actions," police said.

He was charged with the following offenses:

  • Felony Kidnap To Inflict Injury or Terror (four counts). 
  • Felony Kidnapping of Minor - Inflict Bodily Injury.
  • Misdemeanor False Imprisonment.
  • Misdemeanor Unlawful Restraint or Serious Bodily Injury.
  • Misdemeanor Loitering And Prowling At Night Time.
  • Summary Harassment - Subject Other to Physical Contact.

His preliminary arraignment was held before Magisterial District Judge Torrey J. Landis at 6:45 p.m. the day of his arrest, according to his latest court docket. 

He was denied bail as, "There is no conditions that can be imposed other than imprisonment can guarantee public safety," as written on his docket.

Sweigard has a lengthy criminal record dating back more than 20 years in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, and York counties, court records show. Those offenses include fleeing from police, theft, trespass, robbery, criminal mischief, and simple assault.

Anyone with information or camera footage of is incident is asked to contact Detective Laurel Bair by phone: 717-426-1164 or by email: BairL@srpd27.com.

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