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Ambler Tavern Owner Killed in Home Invasion Robbery in Hilltown

Joseph Canazaro co-owned Finn McCool's in Ambler. Suspects believed to have fled in victims' pickup truck; described as armed and dangerous

 

Update, 5:03 p.m.

The last murder that occurred in Hilltown Township was in 1990 at 12 Key Drive, when Eric Motis stabbed his neighbor Louise C. Hoopes, 42, a secretary at Grand View Hospital, and her sons Douglas, 16, and Daniel, 14, in their beds. Motis, 26, committed suicide in prison in 1998. Motis was facing three life sentences after pleading guilty at trial in 1991.

Update, 4:23 p.m.

The Reporter reports the black pickup truck has been located in Upper Bucks County.

The truck has been located behind Quakertown Plaza Shopping Center on the 1400 block of West Broad Street in Quakertown.

Update, 4:14 p.m.

Chief Chris Engelhart has identified the victim as Joseph Canazaro, 48. Canazaro lived at the Swartley Road home with his girlfriend and two children.

Canazaro is the co-owner of Finn McCool's Tavern in Ambler.

Canazaro was born and raised in the Lansdale and Hatfield area, living on Franklin Street and Cindy Lane, respectively.

He has owned many businesses in Pennsylvania, and beyond, in his lifetime.

He was the co-owner of Finn McCool’s in Ambler, and still owned the property of the former Finn McCool’s on Penn Street in Hatfield, according to Montgomery County property records.

Canazaro also owned the property of the former Meineke Mufflers on North Broad Street in Hatfield, now M John’s Automotive, according to property records.

Canazaro was president of JOCANZ Inc., on West Fifth Street in Lansdale, a brick and stone masonry business. Allied Termite and Pest Control in Lansdale also operated out of the same building, of which Canazaro was principal. Canazaro also owned Masonry Enterprises Inc. in Chalfont, according to Manta.com.

The former Flanigan’s Boathouse in Warrington was also co-owned by Canazaro.

At one time, Canazaro had equity in a pier in Ocean City, NJ.

Canazaro had six bankruptcy hearings in November 2008 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, according to online documents. Various entities had filed liens against Canazaro’s properties, and he was seeking to unfreeze the assets.

These properties, which Canzaro formerly owned, are 2820 Valley Woods Road, Hatfield; 719 Harvest Hill Road, New Britain; 2260 Pileggi Road, Warrington; 2236 Pileggi Road, Warrington; and 201 Signal Hill Court in Northampton Township.

Earlier Story

A Hilltown Township man was killed in his home during a home invasion robbery on Friday morning.

The body of the victim, whose identity is being withheld by authorities, was found inside his home at 321 Swartley Road, a few hundred feet off Route 309 in Hilltown. 

Authorities believe the home invasion took place around 10:00 a.m. Friday, according to Hilltown Township Police Chief Chris Engelhart.

"Officers responded to an abandoned 911 call. While responding, the call was upgraded to a possible home invasion robbery," he said. "Officers arrived and checked the area and found the victim inside the residence deceased."

A woman and 12-year-old boy who were also home at the time of the robbery were bound in a separate area of the house from where the victim's body was found. 

They managed to free themselves and contact authorities at about 10:30 a.m. from a neighbor's house. A second child had already left for school when the attack took place.

"We're still trying to pin down the timeline on when [the suspects] got into the house and how long the occupants were held," Engelhart said. Police are "debriefing" the surviving victims, Engelhart said.

The suspects were described as a muscular Hispanic male, about five feet, nine inches tall, and a smaller Asian male wearing a black jacket and cargo pants. Both suspects were wearing masks and armed with handguns at the time of the incident.

They are believed to have fled in the victim's black Lincoln pickup truck, PA license plate ZCT9659, which belongs to the victims. They should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees the vehicle or the suspects should call 9-1-1 immediately, Engelhart said. 

"Obviosly, the occupants should be considered armed and dangerous at this point," Engelhart said.

Engelhart said police do not know how the suspects initially arrived at the property. Property records show the homeowner as Theodore Harrison Jr.

"There was no particular evidence of a struggle," Engelhart said.

Officials from the Bucks County District Attorney's office and a mobile crime lab unit remained at the scene on Friday afternoon. The FBI is also said to be assisting police with the investigation.

Engelhart said the suspects are believed to have stolen additional firearms from the residence. He would not confirm earlier reports that they had taken bank books or other financial information from the property.

"The scene is very fluid, we're following several leads," Engelhart said. "We believe some weapons were taken."

Police may release the victim's identity later Friday.

The woman and two boys are safe and being interviewed by police.

Police notified Pennridge School District about the incident. Schools were not placed on lockdown but were to keep children inside as a precaution and to monitor their entrances. Superintendent Dr. Robert Kish notified parents about the incident through the district’s AlertNow email system.

Patch editor Sarah Larson contributed to this report.

Earlier story and updates below.

Update 12:45 p.m. A mobile crime lab vehicle has arrived at the scene.

Update 12:26 p.m. Officials from the Bucks County district attorney's office have arrived at the scene.

Update 12:12 p.m. A man in a white Cadillac Escalade with "East Coast Hoist Inc." markings arrived at the property and identified himself to police as the owner. After a brief conversation with police, the man left. Bucks County property records indicate the property is owned by Ted Harrison. Harrison is also the owner and founder of East Coast Hoist Inc.

Update 12:06 p.m. Pennridge School District sent an email blast to parents that reads "We have been informed of an incident Hiiltown Township involving a possible home invasion. The district has been in communication with the Hilltown Township Police, who have advised us that a lockdown at this time is not necessary. However, as a precaution we are keeping students inside the buildings and will monitoring all entrances. The Pennridge Regional Police will also be making a presence in the area."

Initial story below.

WPVI-TV reports that one person is dead following a home invasion in Hilltown at about 10:30 a.m. today.

Reports on Montgomery County public safety radio indicated that police were looking for two individuals who may be connected to the incident.

One subject was described as male, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, "broad shouldered" and "muscular."

The second was described as a smaller, Asian male wearing a black jacket and cargo pants.

The men are said to be armed and in a black Lincoln pickup truck. They may be on their way to a bank.

Police in Hatfield Township and Lansdale Borough were assisting Hilltown police in an investigation late Friday morning.

Police were called to the home in the 300 block of Swartley Road before 10:30 a.m. for a report of a home invasion robbery.

The victim and her boyfriend were tied up in the basement, according to unconfirmed emergency reports.

The two intruders, armed with handguns, reportedly fled in the victim's black Lincoln pick up truck with the victim's bank books.

Related Topics: Fbi, Finn McCool's Tavern, Home Invasion, Murder, ambler pa, black pickup truck, hilltown, hilltown township, joe canazaro, and lansdale pa

Janet Miner

11:01 am on Friday, January 18, 2013

What is this world coming to?? What a sad state of affairs in this country.

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Kathleen

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

I attribute this to the fact that those we most entrust to uphold and enforce our laws are same most guilty of violating them. We have elected and appointed officials, state and federal, who refuse to enforce immigration laws. The result is we now have a Congress and an administration who not only allows the criminal activity, they now want to reward it with green cards. We, in turn, reward those who created this crisis with another term in office.

Kerry Murphy

11:14 am on Friday, January 18, 2013

Swartley road. That is steps away from the site of the gruesome '89 Eric Motis murders.

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Michael J Gazdik

11:34 am on Friday, January 18, 2013

What do you mean what is this world coming to? Its always been this way. Modern technology just makes it more capable of being heard. Things are no worse now than they have ever been. That idea is a falsity. Social media and the internet allow news and rumors to be spread faster than ever before. This is why it seems like there are more and more of the incidents, when in the past, you just wouldn't hear about them.

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buckguy

12:18 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Correct. Violent crime is half of what it was 20 years ago.

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David Cornwell

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Like the Journal News in New York which posted the addresses for criminals to AVOID because they are ARMED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES!

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Dana

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Love this comment. It is so true!!!

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Sheila Simmons

8:08 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

...Through exclusive investigations, we have discovered that crimes committed by foreign nationals, including illegal aliens, on American soil are not tracked, recorded, or reported by the FBI or the Justice Department as being committed by foreign nationals. This includes all crimes, including those committed by illegal alien terrorists to illegal alien criminals who are currently molesting, raping, killing, and murdering Americans in shocking numbers...://www.fncic-voiacm.org/

Laurainbucks

12:18 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Just saw that you all posted a story in December 2011 about a home invasion in Hatfield-Asian male with a knife-broke into a home. Connected?

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Laurainbucks

12:18 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Monday, December 19, 2011
Home Invasion Robbery in Hatfield
Homeowner confronted an Asian male with a knife in their home at 5 a.m. Monday

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Sandy Smith

8:56 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013

I was wondering how they got to the house if both men fled in the victim's pickup truck. Also did the home have an alarm system?

Dave Lupino

12:18 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

I beleive that's Sal Lapios home

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David Cornwell

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

This is one of the reasons why the Constitution has the Second Amendment.
ect ones home & family

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Louise

12:13 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013

They had guns in the home; they were stolen by the home invaders - how did it help them?

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StGabes

12:01 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013

@Louise it would have help if he was carrying.....

Baseballmom53

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

That's how rumors start. No it's not Lapio's home.

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Nick

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

No it was Joe Cantazarro /Joe Cantz.

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Kathleen

3:00 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Asian and Hispanic....here legally? This area is turning into a clone of corrupted and violent third world countries. Time to stand up and demand elected and appointed officials purge this area of those who have no right to be here and better protect those who have every right to be here - who happen to be the same who pay their salaries.

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Bobz

1:43 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013

No Hispanics are in this country legally, right Kathleen? Well except for Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens by birth. No other people who might be identified by their physical or phenotypic features as Hispanic or Asian are ever born here nor are American citizens, or pay taxes either, right? But nice try to turn this into the fault of politicians, using a bigoted racist tact. Shame on you for leaping to unsupportable conclusions based on no facts whatsoever as an attempt to inflame people against anyone who resembles the vague descriptions of the perpetrators of this crime or who can be construed as not "American looking" based on stereotypes. How pathetic of you, Kathleen.

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StGabes

12:04 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013

Bobz you want facts, how about the fact this area is flooded with Mexicans who are here illegally....

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John W.

5:03 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

Kathleen, it seems that you are so sure about a couple things: most Asian and Hispanic are illegally here; illegal immigrants are equal to criminals; to resolve issues and prevent future capital crime, such as this murder, is to drive out Asians and Hispanic. You are the reason that American became laughing stocks due to lacking of knowledge and logical thinking. Blame on modem American education system. That's why you are accounts payable for life.
BTW, you don't know anything about Third World Countries. You don't know what a passport is.

Ben

3:40 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Just because they are asian and hispanic doesnt mean they are illegal. Race has nothing to do with this situation. What about all the crimes white people commit explain that. This would be the same as other countries aying whites have no right to be in their country. When most whites who go to hispanic countries like mexico are because they commited a crime. You just need to shut your racist mouth.

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Kris

3:41 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Kathleen, in all honesty, you have no idea about the citizenship status of these individuals. Criminals are criminals, regardless of race or ethnicity. How about we have an intelligent conversation about how to make our country safer, not throw around racist, bigoted comments. I would bet that not more than a hundred or so years ago your family members were immigrants to this country...I'm thinking you wouldn't want them lumped into the category of criminal simply based on that fact. I have Hispanic relatives and guess what? They have high paying jobs, work hard, and are not criminals. Please think about the implications of what you say before you post them. It matters to people.

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Bob

4:26 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Excellent point Kris!

Kathleen : "This area is turning into a clone of corrupted and violent third world countries." Wow, it's comments like this that make me really sad about what goes on in the minds of some people living in America. Make sure you don't accept any help or kindness from any non-Caucasian friends.... they might have ulterior motives.

jan geiger

4:02 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

This is not a political issue, this happenes everyday in every part of this country. Don't blame the president . For gods sake, people have been killed,, show some respect and stop turning this into something it is not... I was tragic and horrible, I live not even a mile away.. Green cards and the president never entered my mind, just sadness

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qdogPa

4:49 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

I wouldn't be surprised to find out the 2 responsible for this killing are somehow connected to one of the businesses the victim owned...

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Dubb411

5:01 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Owed money to somebody... Smells like it.

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Bobz

2:32 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013

It seems like there is more to this story than we've heard so far. Hope the authorities wrap this one up soon. You know what they say about the first 48 hours being the most crucial to solving a crime like this.

S.J.

7:22 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Kathleen: don't you just love how liberals jump all over you calling you racist, a bigot, etc. for extending a logical solution: electing state officials intent on purging our towns & communities of illegals. Instead, the gov't wants to disarm law-abiding citizens and make a black market out of guns, essentially putting them in the hands of criminals.

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Nick

9:40 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Please let us morm a good friend and stop all this idiotic talk. A good man was murdered thats all.

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Lori

12:33 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013

So sick of reading bickering BS! I second Nick's comment ... May he RIP always

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mofrog85

6:33 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013

I feel bad for the family and friends of Joseph Canazaro, having to read all this bickering on here. May he rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

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LORI VIGNOCHI

10:58 am on Sunday, January 20, 2013

WOW..IT GOES FROM A GOOD MAN BEING MURDERED TO POLITICAL BS..SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE... MAY HE REST IN PEACE.AND IN TIME THE FAMILY HEAL...

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Brandi Biermaas

11:00 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013

@ Dubb411...That comment is VERY disrespectful and uncalled for. I knew Joey since I was a kid, he was a pallbearer at my mother's funeral; that is how much he meant to my family. This is heartbreaking to those who knew him so please be respectful. RIP Vito

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may

1:55 am on Monday, January 21, 2013

I lived in Trevose for most of my teen years so my heart goes out to Joseph's family may they find the killers then he truly will be able to rest in peace. Prayers for the family & Brandi who knew Joey. Pay no attention to the cypher bullies they are cowards who hide behind their keyboards of the their computers.

NC

4:19 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013

This dude owed so much money to various people and various companies n what not how can no one see that this wasn't a random burglary or a targeted one, it was a targeted HIT. So obvious but people just choose not to believe in that stuff anymore. Go find out his financial issues then tell yourself it wasn't a hit, this guy owed over 10 million bucks no way they were robbing him for money n petty shit duhhhh

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John W.

5:23 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

I entertain my clients at Finn's McCool regularly and thought the owner was doing fine. If it is true that Joe owed so much to SOMEBODY, we all know the answer now. Organized crime should be viewed differently. General public should worry about random petty crime rate in the community.

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