Safecrackers Invade Lititz Post Office
Leave a commentOctober 1, 2022 by coryvanbrookhoven
In May of 1916, the Lititz Post Office was the sight of one of the town’s most daring thefts in its history.
The day began like any other. Then sometime between 1 and 2 p.m., safecrackers entered a side door at the post office and blew open the safe, grabbed cash and postage stamps worth $1,425 and made their escape.
Minutes before the crime was committed, they kidnapped constable Clarence Kreider, and later forced him to accompany them as they made their getaway on foot to the eastern end of town. Once there, Kreider was released, and then proceeded to run back to Lititz as fast as his feet could take him.
Later that day when questioned, Kreider recalled the events in great detail.
He stated that the melee began to unfold around 1:30 p.m. that afternoon. While he was making his rounds, a man suddenly leaped in front of him with a revolver and exclaimed “Throw up your hands or I’ll blow your brains out.”
A second accomplice then burst onto the scene and snatched Kreider’s two revolvers, his blackjack, and flashlight. Now a hostage, he watched while a side entrance was forced open at the post office and shortly afterwards an explosion was set off by the perpetrators, which blew open the door to the safe.
The crooks then blew open the strong box inside the safe. This detonation was so loud that it broke several windowpanes of the building and scattered the contents across the room, burning several bills in the process.
The group then left the scene on foot with Kreider in tow.
Where did the criminals go?
One eyewitness stated that they continued on foot and headed north. It was also reported that men fitting their description were seen north of Lititz in the vicinity of Brickerville around 5 a.m. that next morning. Someone also reported that they were seen moving further north and hiding out in the mountains.
Days turned into months after the incident, but sadly, the criminals were never apprehended.
From Brunnerville to Broad Street 