Antrim Township business owner shoots burglar in store
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Jason Colaco, 29, serves a customer at the Molly Pitcher Mini Mart. When burglars invaded his store August 2, he shot one of them.

Merlony 'Jason' Colaco moved to the United States from India 10 years ago to support his family. He left behind his mother, brother and sister, and at age 19, pledged to take care of them.

After living in Arlington, Vir., he moved to Greencastle 18 months ago.

"I'm used to cities, and wanted a quiet place. Pennsylvania is nice," he said.

And it was until last March. Then the Molly Pitcher Mini Mart he owns at 13640 Molly Pitcher Highway was broken into four times. After the third robbery in nine days, he decided to sleep in the store.

When Jessica Lynch allegedly entered through a broken glass door on March 28, Colaco held her at bay with a shotgun until Pennsylvania State Police arrived. As a result of his actions, a burglary ring including Lynch, 19, Joshua Ingream, 19, both of Greencastle, and James Byrd, 43, Chambersburg, was broken. All three were arrested and charged with multiple offenses. Byrd is currently in prison.

Life in the store resumed normalcy until late July. Then one night someone broke in and stole cigarettes. A few days later someone damaged the ice machine out front and stole 20 bags of ice. He predicted the same people would be back.

Colaco decided he had to resume camping in the store. The scariest event of his life occurred a few days later, on August 2.

Protecting his property

Colaco, who had never before fired a gun, was asleep in the office when the cowbell on the store's side door rang at 1:46 a.m. Glancing at the security monitor, he saw two men shaking the door. Then the burglar alarm sounded, which au- tomatically alerted State Police.

"I was so scared," said Colaco. "The alarm went off and they were in. I had no choice."

He grabbed the shotgun and met the burglars already behind the counter.

"There were three big guys."

They were filling bags with cartons of cigarettes.

Two of the men ran out after seeing the armed store-owner. They took with them 58 cartons, valued at $2400. The third threw a trash can at Colaco.

"I didn't know what he had (as far as a weapon). I don't want to shoot anybody, but I had to do it."

He fired the gun at the intruder's abdomen.

The man, identified by police as Thomas Philip Candeloro, Jr., 44, Baltimore, crashed out the door and fell.

"OK, he got shot," Colaco realized.

The phone rang at that moment and he told the authorities, "I need an ambulance. I shot a guy."

Candeloro grabbed a crowbar on the ground but could not stand. He crawled around to the front of the building, calling for his friends. He also yelled at Colaco, "You shot me. I'm going to sue you."

Colaco estimated the whole incident took about 15 seconds. The police called again and arrived to take Candeloro into custody. He was transported to Washington County Hospital. Pending charges included robbery, burglary, theft and conspiracy.

Support from the community

As people stopped at the store the next day to buy gas and snacks, the customers who knew Colaco applauded his actions. He already had letters posted on the wall. One person thanked him for stopping a criminal and concluded, 'If you run out of ammunition, let me know. I'll bring more.'

Colaco had purchased the gun from the Hagerstown Walmart in March. An acquaintance assembled it for him.

Friends hung out at the store with him. One man from Hagerstown wished the PSP had stepped up patrols in the area because of the vandalism at the Mini Mart as well as at other nearby businesses. Sean Miller, 16, Greencastle, helped Colaco install stronger locks in the entry doors.

They all believe the business is a target because of its locale. It is near an exit to Interstate 81, as well as adjacent to a back road.

The store closes at 10 p.m. Colaco had advice for any potential burglars.

"After ten o'clock, they can come any time," he said, tonguein cheek.

In reality, the soft-spoken man would like to get back to running his business in quiet Pennsylvania.