22-Year-Old Woman Shot To Death In Susquehanna County

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

After plotting for months, a Susquehanna County man fatally shot his ex-girlfriend outside of her home early Friday and later confessed, police said.

Jonathan Kopacz, 34, 413 Jackson St., Thompson, is facing charges of criminal homicide, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person for the shooting death of 22-year-old Kelly Conklin of Susquehanna. He is being held without bail in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.William Conklin

The relationship between Mr. Kopacz and Ms. Conklin ended in May, according to police. On Friday, Mr. Kopacz followed Ms. Conklin to a local bar and then back to her home, where he opened fire with two 9-mm handguns as she got out of her car around 1:17 a.m.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/22-year-old-woman-shot-to-death-in-susquehanna-county-1.1772815

Alleged Domestic Assault Draws Large Police Response In Pottstown

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

POTTSTOWN, PA — Police took a man into custody Thursday night after he allegedly assaulted a woman and dragged her into his house after she tried to leave.

Around 7:21 p.m., Pottstown police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Cherry Street for the report of a domestic disturbance outside.

Witnesses told police they saw a man, who has not been identified, forcibly pulling a woman into a house on the block. Police said they were told it looked like she was trying to flee from the man and that she may have tried to escape more than once.

Residents also reportedly told police that the man and woman were arguing for most of the day. It’s believed that the two are in a relationship but unclear to what extent.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140710/alleged-domestic-assault-draws-large-police-response-in-pottstown

Canton Man’s Bail At $1.5 Million After Police Chase

Map of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, USA with township and municipal bondaries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

TROY, PA – A Canton man was jailed in lieu of $1.5 million bail after he fled from police and crashed his truck Saturday in Canton, according to Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.

Wilcox said John Edward Gundaker, 44, of West Main Street, Canton, had a preliminary arraignment at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, and was unable to post bail. Gundaker faces a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. May 7 before Wilcox.

According to court papers, Gundaker is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude officer, a felony of the third degree. In addition, he is charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor of the second degree; simple assault – attempt, a misdemeanor of the second degree; and two summary counts of reckless driving. In addition, he is charged with a violation of “driving vehicle at safe speed,” a summary offense; and a disorderly conduct offense.

According to an affidavit, Canton police officer Joshua Heckman was contacted by the Bradford County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and was asked to respond to a domestic disturbance at Gundaker’s apartment. The EOC reported that the incident was called in by a man, who was on the phone at the time with the victim in the incident, Desiree Rios, no age or address given, when she was at Gundaker’s apartment and a fight broke out between Rios and Gundaker.

Read more: http://thedailyreview.com/news/man-s-bail-at-1-5-million-after-police-chase-1.1676619

Wilkes-Barre Resident Jailed After Shooting At Sherman Hills

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

A Wilkes-Barre man spent Christmas in jail after allegedly shooting his cousin in the leg during a fight at the troubled Sherman Hills housing complex.

Tyrone Scott, 34, faces charges including aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, illegally possessing a weapon – police said he was not allowed to own a gun because he is a convicted felon – unlawful restraint and simple assault.

The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday in building 312 of Sherman Hills.

Scott apparently got into a fight with his cousin, Nathan Scott, on Christmas Eve.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-resident-jailed-after-shooting-at-sherman-hills-1.1607055

Son Charged With Stabbing Mom In Pottstown Home

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

POTTSTOWN, PA — A 23-year-old man allegedly stabbed his mother multiple times with a butcher knife Wednesday evening on the 100 block of Third Street, apparently for no discernible reason, according to Pottstown police.

Jason James Payne, 23, was arrested shortly after he allegedly stabbed Pamela Hadrick and was taken to the Pottstown Police Department where he waived his rights to counsel and admitted to the crime, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by police.

The affidavit said that Payne was at home Wednesday night with his mother and younger brother and sister, both juveniles. He told police at some point before 7:45 p.m., he “got up and walked into the kitchen, grabbed a butcher knife and stabbed her.”

He said the knife was a foot long and “there was no problem between (him) and his mother that precipitated the stabbing,” according to the affidavit.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131219/son-charged-with-stabbing-mom-in-pottstown-home

Girl, 2, A Victim Of Forty Fort Murder-Suicide

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

FORTY FORT, PA – Police said Nicholas Shultz shot his 2-year-old daughter and then turned the gun on himself, in what the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office has ruled a murder-suicide.

Officers from Forty Fort and surrounding towns were dispatched to 52 Wesley St. at 11 a.m. Sunday on the report of a man with a gun threatening to kill himself and his daughter.

When police entered the house, they found a young girl, Camryn Lee Shultz, dead on the couch with one gunshot wound to the head, police said. Her father, Nicholas, 34, was found on the floor, also with one gunshot wound to the head, and was then transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Plains Township before eventually dying at the hospital, according to police.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/girl-2-a-victim-of-forty-fort-murder-suicide-1.1576005

Aiello’s Criminal Past An Issue?

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

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Vito J. Aiello had a criminal past. He also, allegedly, had access to a gun.

The city man stands accused of shooting his wife to death Sept. 26, before turning the gun on himself.

And that raises questions about whether Aiello’s history of harassment, terroristic threats, stalking, at least one previous protection-from-abuse order and a request for an involuntary mental-health commitment would — or should — have prevented him from purchasing or possessing firearms.

In Pennsylvania, there are three main types of cases in which gun ownership may be affected, said Susan Sorenson, a professor with the Penn School of Social Policy and Practice with the University of Pennsylvania: certain protection-from-abuse (restraining order) cases, misdemeanor domestic violence convictions or domestic violence crime scenes in which a weapon may be implicated.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news//882873/Aiellos-criminal-past-an-issue

Prosecutors Will Charge Wilkes-Barre Man With Homicide

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

Prosecutors plan to charge Vito Aiello on Monday afternoon with an open count of criminal homicide in the shooting death of his wife last week.

Aiello, 48, of 389 Andover St., Wilkes-Barre, is accused of fatally shooting his wife, 47-year-old Jane Aiello, before turning the gun on himself late Thursday.

Vito Aiello remains hospitalized at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, with gunshot wound to the face. Prosecutors say he is severely injured, but expected to survive.

His arraignment is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the hospital.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/prosecutors-will-charge-wilkes-barre-man-with-homicide-1.1560780

Wilkes-Barre Wife Killed In Domestic Dispute, Police Say

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

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Residents living on Andover Street said they knew Vito Joseph Aiello was capable of harming his wife, Jane.

Their concerns became real late Thursday night when he allegedly killed her in a shooting before turning the gun on himself. He survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his face, police said. The couple would have celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary today.

Authorities are treating the case as a murder/attempted suicide.

An autopsy is scheduled today at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/866270/Wife-killed-in-domestic-dispute-police-say

Wilkes-Barre Police Investigating Deadly Shooting

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

WILKES-BARRE, PA — City police and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a 47-year-old woman and critically injuring a 48-year-old man on Andover Street late Thursday night.

Police said the shooting at 389 Andover St. occurred just after 11 p.m.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/866051/W-B-police-investigating-deadly-shooting

Wilkes-Barre Man Arrested After Gun, Crack Cocaine Found

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

WILKES-BARRE — A man who suffered a gunshot wound in May was arrested Sunday after police allege they found crack cocaine and a gun in a Scott Street residence.

Police said Erick Mondelice, 23, was prohibited from possessing a .9mm handgun due to a robbery conviction.

The gun, ammunition, two plastic bags of marijuana, a bag of crack cocaine and a bag of methamphetamine were allegedly found inside 150 Scott St. on Sunday when police investigated a domestic fight involving Mondelice.

Read more:   http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/711655/Man-arrested-after-gun-crack-cocaine-found

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Full Time Administrative Assistant at Laurel House in Norristown, PA.

Domestic Violence

CAN and DOES affect everyone regardless of age, race, color, ethnicity, socio-economic class, education level, etc…

We invite you to use this website to learn about Laurel House, the issue of domestic violence, how you can play a role to assist us in “working to end domestic violence”.

Harrisburg Homicide Count Hits 11 For 2013

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

A man has been arrested and charged with homicide following a shooting that occurred late Saturday night near Dewberry and Blackberry streets in Harrisburg.

A city man in his 40s, whose name was not released as of 11 a.m. Sunday, allegedly shot the ex-husband of a woman with which he had been involved, Harrisburg police Capt. Annette Oates said.  The incident is classified as a domestic dispute.

The man who was shot, a 53-year-old city man whose name is not yet being released, died at the Harrisburg Hospital.  

Read more:  http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/harrisburg_police_charge_city.html#incart_river_default

Pottstown Police Use Pepper Spray To Break Up Fight After Domestic Disturbance

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

Editor’s note:  Let me guess….another rental property.

POTTSTOWN — Police had to use pepper spray to break up an altercation after an alleged domestic disturbance escalated on Friday afternoon.

Around 1 p.m., borough police responded to a call for a domestic dispute in the 500 block of Chestnut Street but when police arrived, the situation moved into the street.

Pottstown Police Chief Richard Drumheller said a man at the residence hit the windshield of a car multiple times, possibly with a baseball bat, and kicked in the front door of the three-story home. The residents locked themselves in the basement.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130511/NEWS01/130519922/pottstown-police-use-pepper-spray-to-break-up-fight-after-domestic-disturbance#full_story

State Legislators Respond To ACLU Lawsuit Against Norristown

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

NORRISTOWN — Rep. Mike Vereb (R-150th Dist.) and Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151st Dist.), along with Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman urged Norristown officials to repeal or modify its controversial nuisance ordinance to protect victims of domestic abuse and discussed possible legislation to ensure that those victims would be protected statewide at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

The ordinance, which is currently being challenged in federal court by the American Civil Liberties Union, was adopted in 2008 and permitted the suspension or revocation of a rental license if the police are called to the property three times for disorderly behavior.

“For me, the most important part of today is speaking directly to the victims of domestic violence who are in the community,” said Ferman.  “I think it’s so important that they know that they can call the police.  They should call the police.  They should call for help.  We will not allow anything to stand in their way and we will be here to support them.”

“We’re here for victims, to let them know that we’re not going to allow any borough, municipal, or city ordinance get in the way of their access to help,” said Vereb.  “We should focus on the goal here.  The goal is to get the thugs off of the streets and out of the rental properties.”

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130430/NEWS01/130439974/state-legislators-respond-to-aclu-lawsuit-against-norristown#full_story

Norristown Municipal Administrator Responds To ACLU Lawsuit

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

NORRISTOWN — Norristown is standing by its rental license ordinance as it is written and declared in a statement that in no way does it “discriminate against any persons, nor does it punish victims of domestic violence.”

The Norristown ordinance penalizes landlords and encourages them to evict their tenants when the police are called to a property three times in four months for “disorderly behavior,” including responding to incidents of domestic violence, according to the federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Wednesday.

“The ordinance provision currently in effect contains all of the constitutional due process provisions required to protect the residents of Norristown,” said Norristown Municipal Adminstrator

 in the statement released Thursday, “explicitly stating that no property shall be condemned for any reason under Norristown’s property maintenance code based on occurrences of disorderly behavior, and stating that no tenant shall be evicted or forced to vacate a rental dwelling for violation of the ordinance provision.”

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130426/NEWS01/130429637/norristown-municipal-administrator-responds-to-aclu-lawsuit#full_story

ACLU Sues Norristown Over Landlord Ordinance

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

NORRISTOWN — A federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Norristown ordinance that penalizes landlords for the alleged behavior of their tenants was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Norristown ordinance penalized landlords and encouraged them to evict their tenants when the police are called to a property three times in four months for “disorderly behavior,” including responding to incidents of domestic violence.

The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP against the municipality, former Municipal Administrator David Forrest, Interim Municipal Administrator Robert Glisson, former Police Chief Russell Bono, Interim Police Chief Willie Richet and Code Enforcement Manager Joseph Januzelli.

“We are planning to file a motion for preliminary injunction to prevent Norristown from enforcing the December 2012 ordinance while the case is pending,” said Sara Rose, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania.  “We hope we will have a hearing soon.  We hope this will be resolved quickly.”

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130424/NEWS01/130429765/aclu-sues-norristown-over-landlord-ordinance#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

Police Swarm Birdsboro Neighborhood After Report Of Threat

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Law enforcement from around Berks County swarmed a Birdsboro neighborhood Monday night after hearing that a man staying in a house there threatened to hurt himself and his girlfriend.

The 46-year-old man and his girlfriend came out of the house in the 900 block of Denise Drive shortly before 10 p.m. after police contacted them by phone, borough Police Chief Theodore R. Roth said.

They were taken to the police station but not arrested, Roth said. Police planned to transport the man, whose identity they did not release, to Reading Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=462237

TriCounty Community Network To Host “Domestic Violence – Discover The Signs” Meeting As Part Of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WHAT:         The SAFE (Supporting Abuse-Free Environments) Program of the TriCounty Community Network (TCN) will be hosting a meeting on “Domestic Violence – Discover the Signs” as part of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  The event is aimed at building awareness of domestic violence; helping individuals discover the signs of unhealthy relationships around them and what they can do; and the resources available to help those in unhealthy relationships.

Daniel J. Reavy, director of External Affairs for Verizon Pennsylvania, will speak and share a video “Telling Amy’s Story”, a story of a Verizon employee’s life as a domestic violence victim and how it affected the world around her.

WHO:             TCN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, membership-based organization that partners with nonprofits, businesses and community members to improve health, social and environmental conditions.  Serving Western Montgomery, Northern Chester and Eastern Berks counties in Pennsylvania, TCN offers six key programs: Build Up Youth, CARE (Caring in Alternative Residential Environments), Environmental Awareness, Homeless Services, SAFE (Supporting Abuse Free Environments), and Workforce Development.  For more information on TCN, visit www.tcnetwork.org.

WHEN:          Tuesday, October 16, 2012

8:00 – 10:00 A.M.

WHERE:       MontgomeryCountyCommunity College – West Campus

101 College Drive

Pottstown, PA

COST:              FREE for members or first time attendees.  $25 for non-members.

Breakfast Sponsor:  Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center

RSVP:              Members of the media should RSVP to Karen Higgins, A&E

Communications, atkhiggins@aandecomm.com or (610) 831-5723.  To attend the event, register at http://www.tcnetwork.org/news-events/meeting-registration/ or call TCN at (610)705-3301 ext. 2.