9/24/2009- What began as a call for help turned into a police chase today outside of the Weis Market on Fruitville Pike in Lancaster City. 

City Fire units were dispatched for an environmental rescue to recover a shoplifter from swampland adjacent to the Red Rose Commons shopping center, after he jumped a fence while fleeing from the grocery store's manager.  The man, reportedly drunk, was apparently stuck in the swamp and unable to pull himself out of the water. 

That's when things went haywire. 

Captain 3 (Barton) reported that a second subject appeared in the water, and together the pair began to wade through the murky swamp towards the RRTA maintenance facility on Erick Road.  Engine 1 and Truck 2, which were responding to the shopping center, diverted to Erick Road, where the subjects managed to exit the water and flee on foot.

One of the men, soaking wet and dirty, was subdued in the area of the RRTA complex and was treated by EMS personnel from Manheim Township EMS.  City Fire Fighters remained with that man until city police arrived to take him into custody.  

The second suspect is still at large.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Lancaster Bureau of Police at (717) 735-3300