Customer Detains Robbery Suspect

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA – A customer stopped a masked man from leaving a convenient store after a robbery at Quick Food Mart on North Main Street on Sunday, according to charges filed.

Christopher Thomas, 25, of West Maple Street, Wilkes-Barre, was arraigned Monday by District Judge Joseph Halesey in Hanover Township on two counts of robbery, and one count each of tampering with evidence, theft and criminal mischief.  He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Ghanshyam Majmundar called police just after 11 a.m. saying a robbery suspect is being detained by a customer inside the food mart.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/509989/Customer-detains-robbery-suspect

West Pottsgrove Home Invasion Leads To Murder

Location of Lower Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LOWER POTTSGROVE  TOWNSHIP— A man was abducted from his home at gunpoint and later died in Lower Pottsgrove on the side of  on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

According to a release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Kareem Ali Borowy, 19, was taken from his home on the 1200 block of Manatawny Street by “multiple suspects with handguns” in broad daylight around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

The gunmen allegedly demanded money before taking Borowy.

“Investigators have determined that Borowy was targeted for this robbery and it now appears this was not a random act,” the release said.

Read more:   http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130506/NEWS01/130509617/west-pottsgrove-home-invasion-leads-to-murder#full_story

Crime Is Focus Of Community Forum

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With quality of life one of the top factors businesses consider in deciding to move into a community, the Greater Berks Chamber of Commerce & Industry focused on one local quality-of-life issue at its “State of the Community” breakfast Friday: crime.

Panel members, chief among them Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams, said crime is not as bad as it might seem.

“There’s a misperception of the rate of crime in the city,” Adams told more than 100 Chamber members gathered at the Crowne Plaza Reading, Wyomissing.

He noted that, comparing the local rates of murders, robberies and assaults with comparable cities and counties in the region, Reading and Berks are in the middle of the pack, not worst of the pack.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=463136

Chesco D.A.: Norco Murder Scene Was ‘Doorway Into Hell’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER — Two weeks after the grisly discovery of a body inside a burning North Coventry apartment, authorities announced an arrest in the murder of 17-year-old Kevin Allen.

Shakeem Carter, 20, of Norristown, was arraigned Wednesday morning after an investigation concluded he was responsible for the brutal stabbing death of the Norristown High School student inside his father’s home at the Hanover Garden Apartments, officials said.

Allen’s body was discovered on Feb. 12 after a neighbor dialed 911 to report a “terrible struggle,” according to Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, who announced Carter’s arrest at a Wednesday morning new conference.

Officers from the North Coventry Police Department were the first to enter the apartment, but they had to retreat when they discovered the apartment was on fire.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, but when they returned, they told police there was a body inside.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130228/NEWS01/130229413/chesco-d-a–norco-murder-scene-was-doorway-into-hell-(video)?nstrack=sid:387506|met:300|cat:0|order:2#full_story\

Robbers Allegedly Hammer Way To Rolexes At Philly Premium Outlets

Location of Limerick Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LIMERICK TOWNSHIP, PA — Three men allegedly used hammers to smash their way to Rolex watches at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets Saturday night while the store was open for business.

Amin Shabazz, Brian M. Sheed and Willie Hawkins Smith, all 21 and from Philadelphia, were taken into custody after reportedly leading police on a chase that crossed into Chester County and allegedly dumping the items they stole.

Roughly $64,000 in Rolex watches and jewelry was taken from Ultra Diamonds Saturday night when the Limerick Police said three men armed with a hammer and wearing bandannas entered around 7:45 p.m.

The robbers allegedly smashed a glass display case with the hammer, took watches and jewelry, placed them in a bag and fled to a red Buick.  The car was then seen heading to Route 422.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20121104/NEWS01/121109804/robbers-allegedly-hammer-way-to-rolexes-at-philly-premium-outlets&pager=full_story

 

Park City Gunman Eludes Police After Robbing Arby’s

A gunman who robbed a Park City Center eatery eluded police Sunday evening despite a 3-hour manhunt by dozens of police officers and K-9 units.

“We’re as confident as we can be at this point … that he is no longer inside,” city police Sgt. Mark Radmore said outside the Kohl’s mall entrance at around 9:30 p.m.

Heavily armed police officers swept the mall’s many stores and storage areas several times after the robbery attempt at about 6:05 p.m. at Arby’s restaurant.

The mall was quickly evacuated after the incident, which happened around closing time for most stores.

According to a pair of eyewitnesses, a gunman — they said wearing a hoodie, although others reported seeing a mask — displayed a handgun to cashiers at Arby’s and demanded cash.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/771209_Park-City-gunman-eludes-police-after-robbing-Arby-s.html#ixzz2BMTJazGu

Pottstown’s Crime Rate Is A CRIME!

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  I have been harping away on this subject for a very long time.  This article is further evidence of the SERIOUS problem that is keeping Pottstown from moving forward!  The current Chief of Police and Council President should hang their heads in shame.  To think the Chief of Police makes $100,000 (taxpayer funded) and gets these flabbergasting results should make every resident of Pottstown furious!

Pottstown, PA Crime Rate Among Highest in State

“Within Pennsylvania, more than 98% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Pottstown.”

A recent Patch poll asked Pottstown residents what keeps Pottstown from success. With crime ranking among the top concerns, it is worth taking a closer look at just how bad crime is in Pottstown. The results are quite disturbing.

It is important to note that crime is split into two categories – property crime and violent crime. The measure of each is a number of crimes for every 1,000 residents. Property crime consists of burglary, theft, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and aggravated assault, including assault with a deadly weapon.

According to NeighborhoodScout, a highly ranked real estate search website – “Pottstown has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes.”

Please read the rest of the eye-opening article: http://www.threatcore.com/pottstown-crime/

 

2010 Crime Stats Released For Berks County And Reading

Image via Wikipedia

The 2010 crime statistics for Berks County and the City of Reading have been released.  The stats show a drop in violent crime but a rise in property crimes (probably due in part to the recession).  The city and county also showed a decrease in the overall number of crimes reported.

The report is a mixed bag of news as violent crime is on the rise in Berks county but decreasing in the City of Reading.  To read the article from the Reading Eagle, click here: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=336977

Two Shot In Norristown!

Two people were shot in the 1300 block of Arch Street in Norristown Sunday evening.  Four armed men committed the crime.

No word on the condition of the victims has been released.

Folks, we need to stop the senseless violence that is invading our county! 

Contact Norristown Police if you have any information concerning this matter at (610) 270-0977.