Columbia Borough — April 9, 2026
Court filings submitted this week to Magisterial District Court 02‑1‑03 detail two separate criminal cases involving alleged damage to a Columbia Borough police vehicle and an insurance fraud investigation connected to a Columbia address.
All charges listed are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Maurice Eugene Beecher Charged After Alleged Damage to Police Vehicle
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Columbia Borough Police Department, an incident occurred shortly after midnight on April 7, 2026, in the area of 308 Locust Street, Columbia.
Court records allege that Maurice Eugene Beecher, of Willow Street, damaged a marked 2022 Ford Interceptor police vehicle belonging to Columbia Borough Police. The complaint states that rocks and a brick were thrown at the driver‑side window, causing chipped and cracked glass.
Police allege that officers observed damage at the scene and that Beecher admitted to throwing a rock. The filing further alleges that after briefly leaving the area, Beecher returned and threw a brick at the same vehicle, causing additional damage. Total damage was listed at under $6,000.
Beecher has been charged with Institutional Vandalism, a misdemeanor offense involving damage to municipal or government property. The case remains pending in Magisterial District Court.
Claudine Marsha Ebanks Faces Insurance Fraud‑Related Charges
In a separate case filed by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Claudine Marsha Ebanks, of Columbia, is charged in connection with an alleged insurance fraud scheme involving an automobile insurance claim.
According to court documents, investigators allege that between January 5, 2025, and February 14, 2025, Ebanks knowingly provided false or misleading information to an insurance company regarding vehicle damage. The complaint alleges that damage previously reported in an earlier claim was later presented as new damage in a subsequent claim.
The filings state that investigators reviewed insurance records, photographs, recorded phone calls, and conducted interviews as part of the investigation. The total amount of alleged attempted insurance proceeds was listed as $1,623.29.
Ebanks is charged with Insurance Fraud, Criminal Attempt – Theft by Deception, and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, all graded as felony offenses under Pennsylvania law. The case remains in the early stages of the court process.
Public Record Notice
The information in this article is drawn from publicly available court filings submitted to Magisterial District Court 02‑1‑03 in Lancaster County. Charges reflect allegations only and do not represent findings of guilt.
ColumbiaPa.Online will continue to report on local court filings to keep residents informed about matters moving through the local justice system.
