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Reading, PA

Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA
Man Accused Of Raping 2 Girls At PA Home: DA A 32-year-old man from Berks County has been arrested in connection with the rape of two girls at a home in Reading, one when she was 11 years old, authorities said on Friday, Sept. 6. Janson G. Paz-Ochoa of Shillington was charged with rape, rape of a child, and multiple other offenses, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office. He was arrested on Aug. 27 and is due to reappear in court on Sept. 13, court records show. Berks County District Attorney’s detectives received a childline referral on April 12 from the state Department of Human Services which reported that a&n…
PA Dad ID'd After Fatal Motorcycle Crash On I-81: State Police PA Dad ID'd After Fatal Motorcycle Crash On I-81: State Police
PA Dad ID'd After Fatal Motorcycle Crash On I-81: State Police The motorcyclist killed in a crash on Interstate 81 was identified by the Pennsylvania State Police and his family on Monday, Sept. 2. Glen "Jose" Leon Veliz, 38, of Reading, died at the scene of the crash near mile mark 82 on Interstate 81 South in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County at 5:16 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 31, PSP Jonestown Trooper Jordan Seiler detailed in the release. Traffic was detoured at exit 85 in South Hanover Township, reopening around 9:19 p.m., according to a statement by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler and as Daily Voice previ…
The Top 5 Best Places To Retire Are All In Pennsylvania: Study The Top 5 Best Places To Retire Are All In Pennsylvania: Study
The Top 5 Best Places To Retire Are All In Pennsylvania: Study A new study ranking the best cities to retire has Pennsylvania taking six of the best 10 locales, including all five of the top 5.  Harrisburg is the best place in the country to spend your twilight years, according to US News & World Report. Reading, Lancaster, Scranton, and Allentown ranked second through fifth in the study respectively. Pittsburgh finished 10th, with Philadelphia coming in at 13th.  Researchers used a formula that examined the cost of living, happiness, quality of health care, taxes, and desirability of 150 cities across the country to create the list. They…
PA Man's Spotted In Child Pornography, Authorities Say PA Man's Spotted In Child Pornography, Authorities Say
PA Man's Spotted In Child Pornography, Authorities Say A 28-year-old man from Reading has been charged with possession of child pornography after sexually explicit images were found on his cellphone, authorities said. Kristopher W. Tanner also was charged with criminal use of a communication facility, corruption of minors, and indecent assault, according to a joint release from the Reading police and Berks County District Attorney. He was identified by investigators who noticed the unique tattoo visible on his right forearm in some of the videos. Additionally, investigators recognized that the background in these digital videos appeared to…
Teen Struck Dead By Train Crash Into Car: Berks County Coroner Teen Struck Dead By Train Crash Into Car: Berks County Coroner
Teen Struck Dead By Train Crash Into Car: Berks County Coroner Services are on Saturday, Aug. 10 for a 19-year-old man killed when the car he was riding in was struck by a train in Berks County. Meanwhile, family members are raising money for funeral expenses for Jazavier Phelps-Hines, of Reading. Phelps-Hines died on Saturday, Aug. 3 at about 3:40 p.m. when his car was struck by a train in Tilden Township, according to the Berks County Coroner's Office. "We are heartbroken to share that Jazavier Phelps has passed away unexpectedly in a tragic accident," a relative wrote on this GoFundMe page. "He was a beloved son, grandson, nephew and friend. T…
Caretaker Steals $4.5K From Elderly Woman, Berks DA Alleges Caretaker Steals $4.5K From Elderly Woman, Berks DA Alleges
Caretaker Steals $4.5K From Elderly Woman, Berks DA Alleges A 46-year-old woman from Reading is charged with making more than 80 unauthorized purchases on the bank cards of an elderly woman whom she cared for, authorities said. Jennifer Konen is accused of stealing nearly $4,500 by making the transactions using a 78-year-old woman's banking information, according to the Berks County District Attorney. Konen was the woman's healthcare provider. In April, Berks County District Attorney’s detectives initiated a criminal investigation into allegations involving exploitation and fraud involving the senior citizen. It was reported that numerous&…
Uncle, Grandparents Locked 6-Year-Old With Dirty Diaper In Room For Days Before Death: Berks DA Uncle, Grandparents Locked 6-Year-Old With Dirty Diaper In Room For Days Before Death: Berks DA
Uncle, Grandparents Locked 6-Year-Old With Dirty Diaper In Room For Days Before Death: Berks DA Authorities in Berks County have charged the grandparents and uncle of a 6-year-old girl who died of dehydration earlier in May, they announced Monday, Aug. 5. The victim was in the care of her grandmother, Jazmine A. Rodriguez, her grandfather, Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., and her uncle, Manuel Rodriguez, Jr., in Reading when she died of dehydration and prolonged exposure to high ambient temperature due to child neglect on May 28, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said. All three were charged with Criminal Homicide, Unlawful Restraint/Serious Bodily Injury, Fa…
Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit
Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit A New Jersey man with a felony criminal record in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey has been arrested on child rape charges police announced on Thursday, Aug. 1.  Jose Enrique "Enrico" Rivas, 47 of Newark, NJ, was arrested in New Jersey on a warrant issued by Lebanon City Police on Wednesday, July 31, as detailed in the police release. Rivas will be extradited to Lebanon, PA, the police explained.  A 13-year-old girl's guardian made the ChildLine call after the girl told them "I woke to his fingers in me and then he put his pp in me" and "I was just raped and he is still upstairs,…
Felon Found With Multiple Guns, Manufacturing Equipment In Reading Home: DA Felon Found With Multiple Guns, Manufacturing Equipment In Reading Home: DA
Felon Found With Multiple Guns, Manufacturing Equipment In Reading Home: DA A Reading man faces felony charges for illegal possession of firearms, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office.  James Freeman-Neely, 48, was arrested on July 13 for simple assault, said prosecutors in a release on Tuesday, July 30.  The alleged victim of the assault was granted a Protection From Abuse order (PFA) against Freeman-Neely, which required the 48-year-old to "relinquish all firearms, weapons, and ammunition" to the Berks Sheriff's Office, authorities said.  He signed a document claiming he owned no firearms, but police said they found severa…
Reading Man Sentenced For Trying To Kill FBI Agents: Prosecutors Reading Man Sentenced For Trying To Kill FBI Agents: Prosecutors
Reading Man Sentenced For Trying To Kill FBI Agents: Prosecutors A Reading man was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for the attempted murder of three FBI agents, according to the US Attorney's Office.  Rafael Vega-Rodriguez, 42, was also given five years of supervised release, a $4,500 fine, and an $800 special assessment, prosecutors said in a release on Wednesday, July 24.  Authorities said Vega-Rodriguez was wanted for a state parole violation when the agents spotted him on West Greenwich Street on March 1, 2020. They tried to stop him but Vega-Rodriguez drew a handgun from his waistband and opened fire as he fled, authorities …
Marijuana Scavenger Hunt At Reading Park Leads To Deadly Shooting: Police Marijuana Scavenger Hunt At Reading Park Leads To Deadly Shooting: Police
Marijuana Scavenger Hunt At Reading Park Leads To Deadly Shooting: Police A teen was shot in the back after finding a stash of marijuana hidden in City Park, according to Reading police.  Rafael Tinoco-Villagomez, 19, was struck by gunfire on July 10 and died from his injuries at Reading Hospital, authorities said.  Two suspects, 18-year-old Luis Rios and 16-year-old Jasir Escoto, are in custody as of Friday, July 26, police wrote in a release.  All three attended an event advertised on social media about marijuana being hidden in the park, investigators believe. Tinoco-Villagomez found it and was chased by Rios and Escoto before th…
Sex Offender Husband, Wife Face Child Pornography Charges: Berks County DA Sex Offender Husband, Wife Face Child Pornography Charges: Berks County DA
Sex Offender Husband, Wife Face Child Pornography Charges: Berks County DA A convicted sex offender and his Reading wife have been arrested on child pornography charges, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office.  Dennis Deiter, 46, and Elizabeth Deiter, 34, both "admitted to utilizing their respective cellular telephones to view child pornography," prosecutors wrote in a release on Wednesday, July 24.  Detectives began investigating the pair after receiving a complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, authorities said. The investigation led them to the Deiters' South 12th Street home where they e…
Reading Businessman Sold Fentanyl To Undercover Detectives, DA Says Reading Businessman Sold Fentanyl To Undercover Detectives, DA Says
Reading Businessman Sold Fentanyl To Undercover Detectives, DA Says Over a hundred fentanyl pills were seized in a Reading drug raid on Friday, July 12, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office.  Gregory Borges, 60, was charged with drug and firearms offenses, prosecutors said.  Detectives began investigating Borges in May and made multiple controlled buys of fentanyl from his business Gshirt Inc. at 921 Penn Street, authorities wrote in a release.  "He was selling this lethal product and storing it at this location," the DA's Office said. Detectives obtained a search warrant for his business on Wednesday, July 10 and raided…
Mugshot Released Of Berks Man Accused Of Killing Neighbor Mugshot Released Of Berks Man Accused Of Killing Neighbor
Mugshot Released Of Berks Man Accused Of Killing Neighbor A photo of the West Lawn man accused of Gregory Cammer's murder. has been released by authorities  Angel Adames is charged with first-, second-, and third-degree homicide, according to court records.  Adames allegedly shot and killed 55-year-old Crammer in a first-floor apartment at 2105 Penn Avenue on June 25, Spring police have said. The 56-year-old suspect lived in the apartment upstairs and was arrested at the scene, according to officials.  Google Maps (Street View)/Inset: Spring Township Police Dept. Crammer's obituary says he was a "loving husband and father" w…
Teen Who Escaped Detention Center Caught In Stolen Car In Levittown: PSP Teen Who Escaped Detention Center Caught In Stolen Car In Levittown: PSP
Teen Who Escaped Detention Center Caught In Stolen Car In Levittown: PSP The 16-year-old who climbed a fence at Berks County detention center over the weekend has been arrested, state police said Thursday, July 11. Dustin Lomas was taken into custody in Falls Township on Wednesday evening, July 10, troopers said. He was allegedly "an occupant" in a stolen car. Police said they took him to the Bucks County Youth Center. Lomas and 18-year-old Tyler Luntz escaped from Abraxas Academy in Morgantown on Saturday, July 6, troopers said previously. Luntz was arrested on Monday night, July 8 at a carnival in Tullytown where police said he was trying to blend in with …
Back-To-Back Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested: Reading Police (UPDATED) Back-To-Back Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested: Reading Police (UPDATED)
Back-To-Back Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested: Reading Police (Updated) A suspect is in custody for trying to rob two Reading credit unions on Monday, July 8, according to city police.  Josue Rivera-Reyes was arrested Friday, July 12, authorities said in a release.  Police responded to a 911 hangup at Visions Federal Credit Union around 12:15 p.m. Monday, where a man had demanded money and said he had a gun, RPD wrote.  A short time later, Pagoda Federal Credit Union reported a "suspicious male" attempting a robbery at their location as well, authorities said.  Rivera-Reyes is charged with felony robbery and related counts, …
PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG
PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG A 56-year-old Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to prison for sexual assault of a girl that began more than 20 years ago, officials said. Luis Manuel Ayala-Velasquez, 56, of Reading, was arrested last year after a grand jury investigation where sexual assault charges were recommended against more than a dozen members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, Attorney General Michelle Henry said. Ayala-Velasquez will serve 14 to 46 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to five felony counts, including rape of an unconscious person, Henry said. He was sentenced Wednesday…
Berks Case Still Cold: Who Killed Louisa Tseng Krenzel? Berks Case Still Cold: Who Killed Louisa Tseng Krenzel?
Berks Case Still Cold: Who Killed Louisa Tseng Krenzel? It's been more than 10 years since Lousia Tseng Krenzel was killed, and Pennsylvania State Police are still searching for answers. The 48-year-old Taiwan native was shoveling snow at her Long Lane home in rural Pike Township on Jan. 22, 2014, troopers said in a release on July 3.  At about 8 p.m. that night, she was found dead in the driveway by her estranged husband Jules Krenzel, reported the Reading Eagle that month.  She'd suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including one through the heart. More bullets were found embedded in the garage door, about five feet from where Lou…
Swimmer Drowns In Schuylkill River In Reading, Officials Say Swimmer Drowns In Schuylkill River In Reading, Officials Say
Swimmer Drowns In Schuylkill River In Reading, Officials Say One person died while swimming near Reading's Riverfront Park on Saturday, June 29, according to city officials.  Reading firefighters said the male victim was seen going into the water near "Penske Beach" and never came back out. Dive crews recovered his body and he was pronounced dead at this scene, first responders said.  Authorities did not report his name.  "Our thoughts are with the family and friends during this difficult time," City Hall said in a statement on Monday, July 1.  "The reality is that accidents occur, and sometimes, even under the best of circumsta…
Pursuit Of Teen In Stolen Car Ends With Fiery Crash: Reading Police Pursuit Of Teen In Stolen Car Ends With Fiery Crash: Reading Police
Pursuit Of Teen In Stolen Car Ends With Fiery Crash: Reading Police A juvenile who led police on a chase in a stolen car has been charged, Reading Police announced on Monday, June 24.  Officers spotted the vehicle near North 3rd and Washington streets around 1:30 a.m. When they tried to pull it over, the 15-year-old driver fled into Muhlenberg Township where he lost control and crashed, according to officials. The car caught fire before police removed the driver from the vehicle, RPD said.  The teen is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding, and multiple traffic-related offenses. He is being charged as a juveni…
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In These NJ, PA Counties Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In These NJ, PA Counties
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In These NJ, PA Counties The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings and warned of 60 mph winds across parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania Friday, June 14. At 4:15 p.m., the NWS issued the warnings for Sussex and Warren counties in New Jersey, and Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton, in PA.  Newton, Washington, Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, are also being warned of severe storms. The warnings are in effect through 5 p.m. Temps hit the 90-degree mark late in the afternoon, the NWS said. Storms were expected in the evening hours, a…
Berks Coroner Seeks Next-Of-Kin For Late Reading Man Berks Coroner Seeks Next-Of-Kin For Late Reading Man
Berks Coroner Seeks Next-Of-Kin For Late Reading Man Officials are looking for the family of a man who died in Reading Hospital over the weekend.  Scott P. Campbell, 52, died from natural causes on Sunday, June 9, the Berks County Coroner's Office said. His last known address was the Hope Rescue Mission, 645 N. 6th Street, Reading. Anyone who can contact his loved ones is asked to call the Coroner at 610-478-3280. 
Coroner IDs Reading Man Killed In Route 183 Crash Coroner IDs Reading Man Killed In Route 183 Crash
Coroner IDs Reading Man Killed In Route 183 Crash Officials have named the driver who died after a crash near Bernville on Thursday morning, May 30.  Daniel R. Schneider, 28, was headed south on the 6400 block of Bernville Road/Route 183 in Penn Township around 4:15 a.m., according to state police and the Berks Coroner's Office.  Schneider's Chrysler 300 crossed into the northbound lane and hit a Toyota Highlander head-on, troopers said. His car rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest in a ditch before catching fire, state police said.  Schneider, of Reading, was pronounced dead from multiple blunt force trauma with…
Reading Man ID'd Following Fatal Lebanon Crash Involving 11 People: Police Reading Man ID'd Following Fatal Lebanon Crash Involving 11 People: Police
Reading Man ID'd Following Fatal Lebanon Crash Involving 11 People: Police A 30-year-old Reading man has been identified following a crash that sent 11 people to the hospital, police announced on Friday, May 31.  Marilus Mousardy died at the scene of a crash between two minivans at the intersection of State Drive and Schaeffer Road at 4:56 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, according to the South Lebanon Township Police.  Their preliminary investigation revealed the following: "A mini-van containing at least nine people was struck while it was in the travel lane of an oncoming mini-van occupied by 3 persons." They noted that: "All other occupants in both vehicl…
Two Shot During Fight At Reading Basketball Court: Police Two Shot During Fight At Reading Basketball Court: Police
Two Shot During Fight At Reading Basketball Court: Police Two people were treated for injuries after shots rang out in Reading early Friday morning, May 24, city police say.  Officers were called to the 1800 block of Forrest Street near Pendora Park around 2 a.m., authorities said.  They arrived to find one man shot in the leg and another in the shoulder, RPD said. Both were taken to Reading Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Investigators believe the shooting happened during a fight at the basketball courts. Police said the incident is under investigation and there is "no known threat to the public." Anyone w…
20-Year-Old Man Steals Vehicle With Child's Wheelchair From Northern Westchester Home: Police 20-Year-Old Man Steals Vehicle With Child's Wheelchair From Northern Westchester Home: Police
20-Year-Old Man Steals Vehicle With Child's Wheelchair From Northern Westchester Home: Police A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man faces criminal charges after stealing a van containing a girl's customized wheelchair from a Northern Westchester driveway, police announced. Letrell Ackerman of Reading, Pennsylvania was taken into custody by Yorktown Police on Thursday, May 16 in connection with the theft of a vehicle with an electric wheelchair inside that occurred in June 2023, the department announced on Friday, May 17.  The arrest was made in connection with an incident on June 15, 2023, when a van was reported stolen from a Yorktown resident's driveway. This vehicle had contained a…
International Soccer Stars Will Date Unsuspecting PA Woman On Brand-New Peacock Reality Show International Soccer Stars Will Date Unsuspecting PA Woman On Brand-New Peacock Reality Show
International Soccer Stars Will Date Unsuspecting PA Woman On Brand-New Peacock Reality Show A Pennsylvania woman will be dating massive, international soccer stars on a brand-new Peacock dating show. The twist? She has no idea how famous they are back home. "Love Undercover" will follow five male athletes who must leave their lavish lives behind to take on secret identities in dating single women in America, all completely unsuspecting of their fame overseas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Estefani Mendez (@stef.p.mendez) Among them Estefani Mendez, of Reading. Mendez and other women will be dating Premier L…
Million Dollar Lottery Ticket Sold In Reading Million Dollar Lottery Ticket Sold In Reading
Million Dollar Lottery Ticket Sold In Reading A shopper at a Reading corner store paid $20 this week to become a millionaire.  The lucky winner earned the top prize playing the Million Dollar Cashfall scratch-off game, according to state gaming officials.  Reading Beverage at 1257 North 9th St. will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.  Scratch-off prizes expire one year after the date of purchase. All winners should immediately sign the back of their ticket and call the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481.  To learn more, visit palottery.com. 
Fears Of Church Collapse Shut Down Reading Streets (UPDATED) Fears Of Church Collapse Shut Down Reading Streets (UPDATED)
Fears Of Church Collapse Shut Down Reading Streets (Updated) The Public Works Department in Reading is demolishing an abandoned church at Perkiomen Avenue and Spruce Street, according to city officials.  Authorities said the church is in danger of collapsing.  "To ensure public safety, a portion of the church tower needs to be taken down," the Mayor's office said in a release.  Perkiomen Avenue is closed from Mineral Spring Road to South 14th Street and Spruce Street is closed from Mineral Spring Road to Miller Street until the work is done, officials said.  Update: Work is expected to continue through Friday, May…
137 Grams Of Fentanyl Seized In Reading: Authorities 137 Grams Of Fentanyl Seized In Reading: Authorities
137 Grams Of Fentanyl Seized In Reading: Authorities A "home check" on North 9th Street in Reading led to the confiscation of more than 100 grams of fentanyl on Thursday, May 2, authorities said.  Reading police and state parole officers said they recovered: Three handguns, including two with defaced serial numbers A "ghost rifle" 137 grams of fentanyl Four fentanyl pills Six ecstasy pills Marijuana Charges are pending, they added. 
2.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Pennsylvania 2.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Pennsylvania
2.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Pennsylvania A 2.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Pennsylvania Friday, April 19. According to the USGS, the quake happened at 8 p.m. one kilometer northeast of Lincoln Park (Berks County). Residents of Catasauqua, Reading, Wernersville, and even one in Potomac, MD all reported feeling the earthquake. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, a 1.3 magnitude quake was reported at 7:50 a.m. 6 kilometers southeast of Califon, apparently an aftershock stemming from the 4.8 magnitude earthquake earlier this month.