The Uhrik Family Incident
Bensalem, Pa.
 Jan. 13, 1968
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Back in the 1950s-1960s, Tony Uhrik was an important man in some circles. He owned Uhrik Trucking, a trucking firm in Phila., Pa. He also owned a Phila. soccer team, named the Uhrik Truckers.

In 1954, the Uhrik Truckers team was formed from another team, the Phila. Americans. In the '55 and '56 seasons, the Truckers won the American Soccer League Championship. They remained a tough team to beat until the 1964 season, when the team folded.

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In 1968, Tony, his wife, Ursula, and son, Tony, Jr. lived in a quiet and upscale neighborhood in Bucks Co., Pa. Tony was 57; his son, 8.

On Friday night, Jan. 13, 1968, Tony, Ursula, and Tony, Jr. sat in their living room watching TV. It was a quiet night in Cornwells Heights (now, Bensalem). But the calm belied the 45 minutes of terror in store for the Uhriks this evening.

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Just before 10pm, Tony turned from the TV and saw three masked men standing behind them. Ursula and Tony, Jr., then turned to see the men. At first Tony suggested they were neighbors playing a joke, but Ursula knew different.

One of the men hit Tony with a lead pipe and announced that he wanted money. Then he hit him several more times. Tony gave the burglars $80 he had in his pocket, but they were not satisfied. They tied up the family with drapery cords and extension cords they found around the room. Then they silenced the three Uhriks by putting adhesive tape across their mouths.

Ursula was carried into a bedroom where she was threatened if she didn't come up with more money. She was told that her son would be hurt if she didn't cooperate. In the den, one of the burglars poured lighter fluid on Tony's pants, then lit the fluid which erupted into a flash of flame. (The flames burned out in seconds and Tony was not burned).

The thieves then ransacked the house, tearing apart cabinets, drawers, and furniture. "It was a real mess" said the sergeant of the Bensalem Police. After a long 45 minutes the burglars left, with $500 and some jewelry.

Tony, Jr., was the first to free himself, then he untied his father and mother. Tony was treated for cuts and bruises at Lower Bucks Hospital.

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Tony, the father, has since passed away. Tony Jr., the son, passed away in 2004.

I believe this case is still unsolved.

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Created - Sat, Sept 24, 2005
Revised -

If you have any information on these crimes, please contact me at - crc1123@voicenet.com