Man Arrested After Assisting in Burglary and Leading Police on High-Speed Chase in Lancaster County
Who was the guy helping with the burglary?
How did a simple “Can you give me directions?” turn into the perfect distraction for a theft?
And how did it all lead to a high-speed police chase?
It all went down in Manheim Township, Lancaster County (PA), where 21-year-old Christo Belony was arrested. Authorities say he distracted the homeowners at their front door, while his partner slipped inside and stole two guns.
By the time police arrived at the scene, a black car suddenly made a U-turn and sped off — kicking off a full-blown police chase. Eventually, officers caught up with Belony, and he’s now sitting in Lancaster County Prison.
The incident has definitely shaken up the local community, raising fresh concerns about neighborhood safety.
One simple knock at the door… and the story turned into a full-on crime thriller. Let’s take a closer look.
Details of the Burglary Incident
The burglary took place on April 2, 2025, in a quiet neighborhood of Manheim Township.
According to police, Christo Belony approached the house and casually asked the homeowners for directions — just enough to grab their attention and keep them talking at the door. While they were distracted, another person slipped into the house through an unlocked door.
Inside, the accomplice managed to steal two firearms, with a combined value of around $1,450. By the time the homeowners realized what had happened, the suspects had already made their move to escape.
Police were called to the scene shortly after the theft. Officers noted signs of forced movement inside the house and gathered statements from the victims, who were understandably shaken by the deception. The crime scene was quickly processed as investigators worked to identify the getaway vehicle and suspects.
4. Police Response and High-Speed Pursuit
While officers at the scene were still obtaining victim statements, they observed a black car nearby. They took notice of the vehicle as it took a hard U-turn and proceeded through an intersection without stopping for a stop sign.
Thinking it could be a suspicious situation, police attempted to stop the vehicle, which initiated a chase. The vehicle sped away and was able to escape police altogether.
However, soon after, the same vehicle was spotted again — this time as it departed the local McDonald’s parking lot. Officers picked up the chase again as the suspect vehicle attempted to flee once again.
Arrest Details
The pursuit ended at a Sheetz gas station where officers were able to locate and stop the suspect vehicle.
Christo Belony was apprehended without incident. Police indicated the arrest was calm and there was no injury or further incident.
Further investigation established the vehicle Belony was driving matched information regarding the vehicle seen in the vicinity of the burglary. This was an important link in developing the case against him, establishing the connection between the pursuit and the burglary.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest, Christo Belony was officially charged with multiple offenses related to the incident.
He now faces:
- Two counts of burglary
- Two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary
Currently, Belony is being held at Lancaster County Prison as the investigation continues. He is awaiting his court hearing, where the full extent of his alleged involvement will be reviewed.
The legal process is still unfolding, and more details are expected to emerge as the case moves forward through the court system.
7. Community Reactions
The event has raised concern for local people in Manheim Township. A burglary that took place in daylight hours—followed by a high-speed police chase— has understandably left many feeling the heebie-jeebies.
Neighbors are being advised to be extra alert when a stranger approaches their property. Authorities are also reminding everyone, especially these days, to report any suspicious behavior, regardless of whether it seems significant or not.
There has also been discussion of having police patrol more and/or encouraging more organized neighborhood watch programs to help prevent something like this from occurring again.
8. Conclusion
In conclusion, the burglary, and follow-up high-speed pursuit, involving Christo Belony is still having a lasting impact on the community. Although he is looking at serious charges, the investigation is ongoing as the legal process takes place.
The entire incident demonstrates the need for continued cooperation of the community and the police for a safe neighborhood, and for residents to remain vigilant to crime to prevent it from happening again, and to assist law enforcement.
