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Thieves Hit Burned-Down Motel in Poconos

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — A motel destroyed by a massive fire in the Poconos just last month has now become the target for thieves. The Pocono View Inn was engu...

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP -- A motel destroyed by a massive fire in the Poconos just last month has now become the target for thieves.

The Pocono View Inn was engulfed by flames last month, but now thieves have taken copper air conditioning units and more, all without any nearby neighbors noticing.

The pile of rubble that once was the Pocono View Inn still sits in Sciota. The debris near Route 33 looks exactly the same as it did a month ago when a fire broke out, leaving the owners devastated and more than 30 people without a home.

Neighbor Sheila Tice says the property is mostly quiet.

"We saw cars over there from time to time, but we didn't know if it was the owners, or residents coming back to look through things or not."

But state police say someone forced their way in, stealing copper pipe, air conditioning units and more from the apartments.

Bob Tice works right across the street and looks over at the property several times a day.

"I wish the police would have told me if there was a concern, that I could have kept an eye out and reported when I'd see people," said Tice.

Troopers say the thieves also took bath towels, wash clothes, and bath mats, and so far have had a clean getaway.

Nearby businesses say it's frustrating to hear.

"I think it's terrible, it's awful, these people have suffered terrible. They don't have a place to live. They're scattered all over the community now," said Dr. Lawrence Kahn at West End Chiropractic Center.

Although the neighbors say they haven't seen anything about the thefts happening since that fire, they also say they haven't heard anything about this mess getting cleaned up.

"I think it's an eyesore, but I understand it's a terrible tragedy, but it would be nice if they started to clean it up"

Some in Sciota aren't expecting to see the debris removed any time soon.

"In view of the fact that they have no income right now from residents, I'm not sure what you can expect."

Everyone plans to keep a closer eye on this property in the days and weeks to come.

Anyone with information is asked to contact state police in Swiftwater.

There is no word from the owner of the Pocono View Inn on when they plan to begin removing the debris.

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