Found Deceased PA - Linda Stoltzfoos, 18, Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster County, 21 June 2020 *kidnapping arrest* #3

[Curiosity1234]

I'll say it again. The police responded to a call at Harvest Structures about a person (JS) trespassing. By the time the police get there, the trespasser (JS) is gone. The business owner took pictures of the inside and outside of the car including license plate. Did the officer run the plate ? Did the officer fill out a report ? We don't know but, it doesn't sound like it. I still say, they had an opportunity to interrogate and possibly rattle JS.

 

[Curiosity1234]

The police usually know when they interrogate someone if they are lying or hiding something. How often does someone report a person for trespassing in that town ? Probably not often. The fact that the business owner called the police tells me this is not an everyday occurrence and the police officer seemed to dismiss it. If the officer ran the plate he might have found out JS had a criminal record. Trespassing is still breaking the law.

 

[Bucksharbor]

The photos were released after JS was arrested. They were from the footage obtained from the security cameras of Scott the neighbor, after it was restored and enhanced by the FBI.

Many, many thanks to all who have cleared up the poor wording in my post re. Smoker's car. My apologies! It should have read....

Police released 2 pictures of Smoker's car that were taken immediately following her abduction at 12:42 pm on 6/21 . The pictures came from the video obtained from Scott Bocain's security cameras.

The police obtained Scott Bocain's footage right after she went missing. However, according the the Affidavit (#13), it was not until July 8th that it was restored and enhanced enough by the FBI to get the images we have seen of the car by the silos. I believe that the authorities released those photos on July 11th (the day after Smoker's arrest) when they began asking that anyone who say Smoker (or his car) to contact LE.

 

[Bucksharbor]

My question is, how soon after they were taken did the police know who he was ? Were they ever tailing him and when did that begin ? Why didn't they interrogate him about trespassing at Harvard Structures ? By not interrogating him, they might have missed an opportunity.

That is a great question!! I don't believe they began tailing him until after the following:

6/23 - suspicious car at Harvest structures was reported by Jonathan Stoltzfuz. He gave police pictures of the red car.
6/29 - police spoke with Isaac/Sarah Stoltzfuz and Gideon King III who saw JS and Linda in the red car on Amish road on 6/21 @ approx. 1:30 pm
7/8 (12:08 pm) - police interview Isaac Esh who reported first seeing JS driving E on Stumptown in his red car, then noticing that he stopped, turned around and waited before driving back W towards Beechdale.
7/8 (1:00 pm) - Bocain's restored and enhanced footage is reviewed. The red car driving S on Beechdale 12:42 pm was noted.
7/8 - record check revealed that the Red Kia was registered to JS.

 

[Bucksharbor]

I'll say it again. The police responded to a call at Harvest Structures about a person (JS) trespassing. By the time the police get there, the trespasser (JS) is gone. The business owner took pictures of the inside and outside of the car including license plate. Did the officer run the plate ? Did the officer fill out a report ? We don't know but, it doesn't sound like it. I still say, they had an opportunity to interrogate and possibly rattle JS.

Very true! The fact that they apparently didn't follow up on after the Harvest Structures call, leads me to believe that the pictures taken of the inside of the car did not reveal anything remarkable re Linda. MOO

 

[Curiosity1234]

That is a great question!! I don't believe they began tailing him until after the following:

6/23 - suspicious car at Harvest structures was reported by Jonathan Stoltzfuz. He gave police pictures of the red car.
6/29 - police spoke with Isaac/Sarah Stoltzfuz and Gideon King III who saw JS and Linda in the red car on Amish road on 6/21 @ approx. 1:30 pm
7/8 (12:08 pm) - police interview Isaac Esh who reported first seeing JS driving E on Stumptown in his red car, then noticing that he stopped, turned around and waited before driving back W towards Beechdale.
7/8 (1:00 pm) - Bocain's restored and enhanced footage is reviewed. The red car driving S on Beechdale 12:42 pm was noted.
7/8 - record check revealed that the Red Kia was registered to JS.

Maybe Jonathan Stoltzfus should be deputuzed. Do they still do that or just in the old western movies ?

 

[Curiosity1234]

Very true! The fact that they apparently didn't follow up on after the Harvest Structures call, leads me to believe that the pictures taken of the inside of the car did not reveal anything remarkable re Linda. MOO

That could be very true, that there was nothing in the car. He had already been there once looking in the windows then came back again. Police question suspicious behaving people all the time, just not there. They should have questioned him as to why he was there looking in window; What were you looking for ? A good cop would have known he was lying and covering something up. Why did you go back there ? What were you doing there ? Again, lying and covering up. They would have learned about his criminal record. He might have gotten rattled enough to slip up.

 

[Rosiebones]

I believe the owner at Harvest Structures took pictures of the interior of the car not because he saw something suspicious relating to LS but to document nothing that he owned was in there.

The mention of something white on the passenger side of the red car was in reference to what is seen in the released pictures. Speculation is that it was something belonging to LS on the seat (not sure how or who would have been close enough to see what was below window level to see this)

 

[Curiosity1234]

I believe the owner at Harvest Structures took pictures of the interior of the car not because he saw something suspicious relating to LS but to document nothing that he owned was in there.

The mention of something white on the passenger side of the red car was in reference to what is seen in the released pictures. Speculation is that it was something belonging to LS on the seat (not sure how or who would have been close enough to see what was below window level to see this)

I think Rosiebones, the something white was seen through the open driver's side window and was taken by one of the cameras at 570 Beechdale Rd. It could have been a micro second view of Linda Stoltzfoos's white apron or something else. We don't know the exact spot where the white thing was. JMO.

 

[Curiosity1234]

Many, many thanks to all who have cleared up the poor wording in my post re. Smoker's car. My apologies! It should have read....

Police released 2 pictures of Smoker's car that were taken immediately following her abduction at 12:42 pm on 6/21 . The pictures came from the video obtained from Scott Bocain's security cameras.

The police obtained Scott Bocain's footage right after she went missing. However, according the the Affidavit (#13), it was not until July 8th that it was restored and enhanced enough by the FBI to get the images we have seen of the car by the silos. I believe that the authorities released those photos on July 11th (the day after Smoker's arrest) when they began asking that anyone who say Smoker (or his car) to contact LE.

I would have expected the FBI to act more quickly. If they showed the video to a mechanic, he would have recognized the make, model and year of car; heck some of the male and female sluethers on here could have. Additionally, this was an abducted teen and the FBI didn't act very quickly.

 

[Hereshecomes75]

I would have expected the FBI to act more quickly. If they showed the video to a mechanic, he would have recognized the make, model and year of car; heck some of the male and female sluethers on here could have. Additionally, this was an abducted teen and the FBI didn't act very quickly.

The FBI didn’t come in right away after Linda went missing. Initially it was just East Lampeter PD and the PSP. In the interview with Scott, the owner of the video cameras, he made it sound as if the FBI took his cameras and had to recover footage that was no longer available (taped over? I don’t know how these things work) and enhance it to realize that it essentially showed the abduction. So it sounds like a bit of a process to get to that point.

 

[Trackergd]

Depending on the nature of the case, the FBI is a guest of the responsible LE Department and act as advisors. This is not interstate transport of a minor or other like situations where they can over rule local LE.

 

[Hereshecomes75]

According to the PA Unified Judicial website, the preliminary hearing for JS is now 8/5. There is still no attorney information entered for him.

 

[Niner]

According to the PA Unified Judicial website, the preliminary hearing for JS is now 8/5. There is still no attorney information entered for him.

Thanks!

 

[Curiosity1234]

Thanks!

Thanks from me too Hereshecomes75. I thought I could get a piggy back ride from Niner. No such luck.

 

[TwoBlueJays]

Updated timeline

Timeline: Linda Stoltzfoos Abduction

12:20 p.m., Sunday, June 21: Linda Stoltzfoos leaves church on Stumptown Road, Bird-in-Hand, PA, to walk to her home on Beechdale Road. Linda was wearing a tan dress and white apron and black head kerchief, which signified she was unmarried. She went home barefoot and carrying her shoes and stockings.

--22 minutes elapse--

12:42 p.m., Sunday, June 21: 600 Beechdale Road, Bird-in-Hand, a man intercepts Linda Stoltzfoos walking home; she gets into red car with him.

--45 minutes elapse--

1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 21: Several witnesses report seeing an Amish female in passenger seat of a red car (later identified as matching JS’s car) traveling on Amish Road, which is north of Gap. No direction was provided. Amish Road is a 15-minute drive from Linda’s home.

--60 minutes elapse--

2:32 - 3:35 p.m., Sunday, June 21: records show Smoker’s cellphone in the general area of 3104 Harvest Drive in Ronks.

June 23: “…another person had called police about a suspicious vehicle in a business lot at 3104 Harvest Drive, near the village of Ronks, about 5 p.m. and someone looking in windows and doors as if to see if there was anyone there. The driver left, but returned later that evening. This site is about three miles away from the Stoltzfoos home.

The car in question had left before Pennsylvania State Police answered that call, but the caller had taken the license plate: It matched Smoker’s car. Police noted the caller also took photos of the inside of the vehicle, though arrest records did not state what they showed.

It’s also not immediately clear when police linked that call to Stoltzfoos’s disappearance.”

LINK to article

July 8: Investigators review initial video footage of 500 Beechdale Road. Authorities ID car as a red Kia Rio, PA Reg KYB9713, belonging to Justo Smoker, 34, of Paradise. LE identify his workplace as a business in Gap (Dutchland, Inc.). Authorities drive to the business, see the red Kia Rio and see that the plates match the car in the video. Police note the car leaving around 5:25 p.m. and later find it at JS’s apartment at 3250 Lincoln Highway.

July 9: FBI issue Missing person notice LINK

July 10: LE views FBI-refined video surveillance and see Linda get into the car. Justo Smoker arrested at his place of employment in Gap. Red Kia Rio impounded. Appeared before Magisterial District Judge B. Denise Commins for a preliminary arraignment. Charged with felony kidnapping to inflict injury/terror & misdemeanor false imprisonment. Denied bail. Bail Action Reason: Due to the nature of the charges & ongoing investigation into the status of the victim. Preliminary hearing scheduled 7/21/20.

July 10: LE find LS clothing buried behind Harvest Structures next to Amtrak train tracks.

July 12: Searches begin in Welsh Mountain area.

July 13: Affidavit released (link no longer working)

July 16: Lancaster County DA/LE press conference: believe LS did not know JS; still tracking JS activities in days leading to abduction; believe LS was harmed; search locations are private as each could be a crime scene; reward offered for tips; FBI agent used the word ‘recovery’.

July 20: Preliminary hearing postponed.

July 27: Hearing rescheduled for August 5th. No attorney has been assigned yet.

PA Unified Judicial System link: Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System

 

[MsMac]

Very true! The fact that they apparently didn't follow up on after the Harvest Structures call, leads me to believe that the pictures taken of the inside of the car did not reveal anything remarkable re Linda. MOO

This is what I think, also. And if nothing was stolen they would not really have a reason to go talk to him. At that point, they had nothing to link this car to the kidnapping. I do believe a report was filed, however. After the surveillance footage revealed a red Kia and they subsequently found records of a red Kia registered to JS, they found the Harvest Structures report of JS's vehicle and went there to search. MOO

 

[Bucksharbor]

Updated timeline

Timeline: Linda Stoltzfoos Abduction

12:20 p.m., Sunday, June 21: Linda Stoltzfoos leaves church on Stumptown Road, Bird-in-Hand, PA, to walk to her home on Beechdale Road. Linda was wearing a tan dress and white apron and black head kerchief, which signified she was unmarried. She went home barefoot and carrying her shoes and stockings.

--22 minutes elapse--

12:42 p.m., Sunday, June 21: 600 Beechdale Road, Bird-in-Hand, a man intercepts Linda Stoltzfoos walking home; she gets into red car with him.

--45 minutes elapse--

1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 21: Several witnesses report seeing an Amish female in passenger seat of a red car (later identified as matching JS’s car) traveling on Amish Road, which is north of Gap. No direction was provided. Amish Road is a 15-minute drive from Linda’s home.

--60 minutes elapse--

2:32 - 3:35 p.m., Sunday, June 21: records show Smoker’s cellphone in the general area of 3104 Harvest Drive in Ronks.

June 23: “…another person had called police about a suspicious vehicle in a business lot at 3104 Harvest Drive, near the village of Ronks, about 5 p.m. and someone looking in windows and doors as if to see if there was anyone there. The driver left, but returned later that evening. This site is about three miles away from the Stoltzfoos home.

The car in question had left before Pennsylvania State Police answered that call, but the caller had taken the license plate: It matched Smoker’s car. Police noted the caller also took photos of the inside of the vehicle, though arrest records did not state what they showed.

It’s also not immediately clear when police linked that call to Stoltzfoos’s disappearance.”

LINK to article

July 8: Investigators review initial video footage of 500 Beechdale Road. Authorities ID car as a red Kia Rio, PA Reg KYB9713, belonging to Justo Smoker, 34, of Paradise. LE identify his workplace as a business in Gap (Dutchland, Inc.). Authorities drive to the business, see the red Kia Rio and see that the plates match the car in the video. Police note the car leaving around 5:25 p.m. and later find it at JS’s apartment at 3250 Lincoln Highway.

July 9: FBI issue Missing person notice LINK

July 10: LE views FBI-refined video surveillance and see Linda get into the car. Justo Smoker arrested at his place of employment in Gap. Red Kia Rio impounded. Appeared before Magisterial District Judge B. Denise Commins for a preliminary arraignment. Charged with felony kidnapping to inflict injury/terror & misdemeanor false imprisonment. Denied bail. Bail Action Reason: Due to the nature of the charges & ongoing investigation into the status of the victim. Preliminary hearing scheduled 7/21/20.

July 10: LE find LS clothing buried behind Harvest Structures next to Amtrak train tracks.

July 12: Searches begin in Welsh Mountain area.

July 13: Affidavit released (link no longer working)

July 16: Lancaster County DA/LE press conference: believe LS did not know JS; still tracking JS activities in days leading to abduction; believe LS was harmed; search locations are private as each could be a crime scene; reward offered for tips; FBI agent used the word ‘recovery’.

July 20: Preliminary hearing postponed.

July 27: Hearing rescheduled for August 5th. No attorney has been assigned yet.

PA Unified Judicial System link: Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System

Thank-you. This is a big help!

 

[Curiosity1234]

This is what I think, also. And if nothing was stolen they would not really have a reason to go talk to him. At that point, they had nothing to link this car to the kidnapping. I do believe a report was filed, however. After the surveillance footage revealed a red Kia and they subsequently found records of a red Kia registered to JS, they found the Harvest Structures report of JS's vehicle and went there to search. MOO

He was there twice, trespassing. While they had nothing to link him to the abduction, they could have grilled him about trespassing and it might have sent up red flags. Why have a law against trespassing if your not going to enforce it or enforce it Willy Nilly.

 

[MsMac]

He was there twice, trespassing. While they had nothing to link him to the abduction, they could have grilled him about trespassing and it might have sent up red flags. Why have a law against trespassing if your not going to enforce it or enforce it Willy Nilly.

On 6/23, JS was no longer there when the responding officer arrived at Harvest Structures. And, the officer would have no way of knowing he had been there on 6/21. As far as we know, no one saw him there on 6/21.

According to the criminal complaint (item#22):

"...on 7/10/20 FBI agents assisting in this investigation used cell phone records to show that the cell phone belonging to Justo Smoker was in the general area of 3104 Harvest Drive in Ronks PA on 6/21/20 between 1432hrs and 1535hrs." BBM

Cell phone records don't pin point exact locations.

I am sure, in hindsight, the responding officer wishes he had tracked down JS and talked to him.