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The state police search was part of a regional investigation.
State police searched Orval’s Towing Service in Hunlock Township in an investigation of stolen vehicles.
CLARK vAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
HUNLOCK TWP. – State police investigating the theft of 10 cars and trucks that were left on area roadways after they became disabled discovered several of the vehicles on the property of a local towing operator, according to a search warrant.
The search, conducted on May 12 at Orval’s Towing Service on Garden Drive, was part of an ongoing investigation into the theft of vehicles in various areas of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties over the past five months.
The search warrant affidavit, prepared by Trooper John McGeary of the department’s auto theft division, says the search of Orval’s was prompted after one of the auto theft victims visited the towing and salvage operator and found his vehicle there.
According to the affidavit:
State police at the Wyoming and Dunmore barracks and the Hanover Township Police Department began investigating the thefts in January after the owner of a 1996 Lumina that became disabled along Interstate 81 near exit 170 reported returning to retrieve the vehicle, only to find it was missing.
During the next two months, police received reports of nine more disabled vehicles that were missing. In each case the owners had contacted local police departments and learned the vehicles had not been removed under police authority.
On May 12, one of the victims, David Timms, visited Orval’s Towing Service and found his 2001 Ford F-150, which was stolen from state Route 29 in Plymouth Township the day before.
Timms contacted state police, who arrived and discovered in plain view two other vehicles that had been reported stolen. Police then obtained a search warrant.
Timms’ truck and five other vehicles were seized from the business, according to the search warrant.
The business is owned by George Orval, 61, according to the affidavit.
No charges had been filed against Orval or anyone else as of Monday evening.
A man who identified himself as George Orval hung up on a reporter who phoned the business Monday before any questions could be asked.
Hanover Township Police Chief Al Walker said the investigation into the theft is continuing. He declined to comment further.