Jayson L. Velez-Irizarry, 37, of Lancaster, was arrested Tuesday, March 3 in East Lampeter Township after Manheim Township Police received an anonymous tip about his whereabouts, authorities said.
He was taken into custody, arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Hess, and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to police.
The charges stem from an incident on the 100 block of Valleybrook Drive in Manheim Township on Jan. 30.
Velez-Irizarry entered a residence where the victim was working without permission, according to the police.
Once inside, investigators say he grabbed the victim by the hair and attempted to forcibly take their phone.
The victim yelled and pushed him away, causing Velez-Irizarry to leave the home while yelling at the victim, according to the criminal complaint.
But the harassment did not stop there.
The victim told police Velez-Irizarry called two cell phones more than 100 times and left numerous voicemails containing threatening messages.
The victim told investigators they feared Velez-Irizarry would kill them.
Police said Velez-Irizarry was already out on bail on other charges and was under a no-contact order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.
He now faces charges including:
- Felony Burglary.
- Felony Robbery.
- Felony Stalking.
- Misdemeanor Terroristic Threats.
- Misdemeanor Intimidation Of A Witness.
- Summary Harassment (two counts).
The arrest warrant was issued Feb. 4 by Magisterial District Judge Courtney M. Monson.
A History Of Escapes, Acquittals, And Run-Ins With Police
Velez-Irizarry’s name has appeared in regional headlines for more than a decade.
In September 2025, his arrest shut down part of Lancaster city during an active police incident. Officers blocked vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the 700 block of North Shippen Street before taking him into custody on a robbery warrant.
Court records in that case show charges including Felony Robbery—Take Property From Another/Force, Felony Strangulation—Applying Pressure to the Throat or Neck, and Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief stemming from a July incident.
His name has surfaced in other notable cases as well:
- In 2012, WGAL reported that “Johnny Velez-Irizarry, 21” turned himself in after a Lancaster hit-and-run that injured a 5-year-old, WGAL News 8 reported. He and a woman turned themselves in after authorities released surveillance images of them fleeing the scene.
- In 2016, he was accused of cutting a hole into a home during a burglary attempt, according to PennLive.
- That same year, LancasterOnline covered the acquittal, writing he had been found not guilty of possessing a stolen car in 2014.
- York Dispatch and York Daily Record reported he briefly escaped custody from the back of a Springettsbury Township police cruiser by opening the door and running, sending officers on a chase, though officers quickly caught him in 2016.
Current Status
As of Thursday, March 5, Velez-Irizarry remains in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Velez-Irizarry's brother Damian Santiago Irizarry died in 2022, following a shooting at a Lancaster gas station. Click here to read our full report and learn about what the community did to help his family.
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