Pocono News Section

Business Owner Turns the Table on Thief

Business Owner Turns the Table on Thief - Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7:21PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - The owner of a Scranton tobacco shop fought back against a suspected thief Monday morning.
The drama played out just before 10:00 AM at Montage Tobacco on Davis Street. Police say Don Stritzinger tried to make off with an expensive box of cigars, valued at $532, but he didn't get far. That's because owner Mark Brier saw the crime on surveillance cameras and confronted him.

"As he came out, I confronted him and then he started to get a little nasty," Brier said.

Brier, and customer Ron Eovitch, didn't want the man to get away.

"I tackled him and put him down on the ground and Mark came over. He jumped on him," Eovitch said.

Both men say Don Stritzinger, who's from Trucksville, didn't want to go quickly. He scrambled, wrestled and fought like an animal, but didn't get out.

"It got pretty crazy. He started freaking out and really started making a lot of noises and fighting," Brier said.

Blood from the suspect now stains the carpet where the fight took place. Eovitch got cut on the arm.

"I got a gash in it. They said I might need stitches, but I don't need any stitches. I'm pretty tough," Eovitch said.

Brier says the suspect knew exactly what he was looking for and thinks he may have been involved in a theft ring. He says over the last two weeks, expensive products have been disappearing from his store.

"It's an easy mark, because it's an expensive item. Not many stores have that kind of stuff in here, where they can easily grab them," Brier said.

Don Stritzinger spent most of Monday in the hospital. He has a broken jaw. He faces charges of theft and assault.