1964 Corvette stolen, torched; Schuylkill County men charged

Frank Andruscavage, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Mar. 19—JONESTOWN — Three Schuylkill County men accused of stealing and burning a 1964 Corvette apparently had no other motivation then "the rush of the moment," a state police trooper said.

"They said, 'Let's go for a joyride,' " was the assessment from Trooper Michael Vinitski, of the Jonestown station.

The vintage sports car, which was stolen from Joe May's Garage along Route 72 in Union Township, Lebanon County, was in "beautiful condition" and valued at between $46,000 and $50,000, according to the owner of the garage.

Police allege Christopher Donmoyer, 21, and Bailey Miller, 22, both of Pine Grove, forced their way into a storage shed on an impound lot at the garage late Sunday or early Monday.

The pair drove off and parked the coupe in the parking lot of Twin Grove Campground, 1445 Suedberg Road in the township, and then fled, police said.

Just after 2 a.m. Monday, the two men and Michael Workman Jr., 32, of Tremont, driving a "getaway" vehicle, went to the campground parking lot and set the Corvette on fire, destroying it, Vinitski said.

While troopers and firefighters were at the campground, Vinitski said an employee of Joe May's Garage reported the impound lot had been broken into and the Corvette stolen.

Workman was identified as a possible suspect and when interviewed Tuesday admitted to participating in and planning the burglary and arson with Donmoyer and Miller, according to Vinitski said.

Vinitski said Donmoyer and Miller also later admitted to their roles in the crime.

The garage owner, who did not want to be identified, said the Corvette was stored on the property by the previous owner of the business.

The current owner said he restored everything on the classic car except for the paint.

"I put a lot of time and work into it," he said. "She was beautiful."

Vinitski said the investigation revealed that one of the three charged had dealings with the garage in the past and became aware of the Corvette.

Workman, Donmoyer and Miller were charged on Wednesday with arson, burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and related offenses, according to the trooper.

They were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kim R. Wolfe, Lebanon, and committed to Lebanon County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bail each.

The men each posted bail later Wednesday, according to court documents.

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