Philly man, Delaware woman accused of ex-hospital break-in

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – A Philadelphia man and Delaware woman are accused of breaking into the long-abandoned hospital at Fountain Springs Sunday afternoon.

Sean Mears, 43, of the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia, and Elissa Vilane, 36, of Townsend, Del., were arrested by state troopers Sunday afternoon at the former St. Catherine’s Medical Center.

Both were arraigned on felony burglary and criminal trespassing charges. Mears posted $50,000 bail via a bondsman while Vilane is in Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $50,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper William Moyer of the State Police at Frackville, the trooper was conducting a security check at the long-vacant hospital around noon Sunday.

He spotted a red Honda at the old boiler room to the south of the property and Butler Township Police said no one should be at the property.

The car had several tools and bags in it and Moyer said he saw drag and wheel marks of something being pulled into the boiler room, accompanied by footprints in the snow.

Inside the door were fresh snow tracks into the building.

Mahanoy City and Butler Township officers provided backup as officers cleared the building.

In the basement, officers found a rolling tool bag, bolt cutters, and other battery powered tools, along with cutting and prying tools and a saw.

Mears and Vilane were found elsewhere in the basement. Mears was carrying a flashlight while Vilane was wearing a flashlight on her head. Both, troopers said, were wearing work gloves.

The owner of the property told troopers neither had permission to be on the property.

The two were arraigned Sunday by Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.

Vilane was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $50,000 bail.

Mears was released on $50,000 bail, posted by a bail bondsman.

A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 28 in Frackville.

St. Catherine Medical Center, formerly the Ashland Regional Medical Center, has been vacant since its 2012 closure.

It is currently owned by Ashland Property Holdings, LLC, of Allentown.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home. She is a 12-time Keystone Media Award winner, a PAB Excellence in Broadcasting award winner, and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy award.

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