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Reading Woman With Stolen Credit Cards, Drugs Arrested In Routine NJ Traffic Stop: Cops
Two Pennsylvania residents are facing charges after a routine traffic stop in Rochelle Park uncovered illegal prescription drugs, stolen credit cards, and luxury goods purchased fraudulently, police said.
Dashaun Smith, 32, of Philadelphia, and Latisha Rice, 39, of Reading, were arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at approximately 8 p.m., following a stop initiated by Rochelle Park Officer Chris Kiszka on West Passaic Street, RPPD Capt. James DePreta said.
The vehicle, a BMW with Pennsylvania plates, was stopped after officers found that the license plates belonged to a Chevrolet reported sto…
Explicit Video Shown To Students, Teen Threatened By Paraprofessional: Berks DA
A Reading School District employee showed sexually explicit material to middle school students, inappropriately touched a 13-year-old boy, and threatened another teen, the Berks County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Stephanie Quintero-Ochoa, 19, of Reading, was charged with unlawful contact with a minor, indecent exposure, dissemination of explicit sexual material via electronic communication, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children.
The investigation began in December 2024 after multiple ChildLine reports alleged that Quintero-Ochoa was en…
Dad Used Pen Camera To Record Victims In Bathroom, Sexually Abused Boys: Berks DA
A Harrisburg dad is accused of sexually abusing two boys and secretly recording videos of them and another family member using a hidden pen camera, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Kemish A. Soto-Munet, 29, was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, sexual abuse of children, invasion of privacy, and corruption of minors, according to investigators.
**WARNING THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE DISTURBING**
The investigation began on Sunday, July 28, 2024, with a Childline referral alle…
Reading Meth, Fentanyl Trafficker Arrested: DA Says
A Reading man was arrested for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl after a months-long investigation, Berks County authorities announced Friday, Jan. 24.
Walter Carrera, 38, of 1219 Windsor Street, was taken into custody when detectives and Pennsylvania State Troopers served a search warrant at his home earlier in the day, Chief County Detective Michael Gombar said.
The investigation began in October 2024, with undercover purchases and surveillance identifying Carrera as a distributor, Gombar said. During the search of his residence, detectives seized:
Approximately six grams of fen…
Jehovah's Witness Sexually Abused Family Member Under 7 Years Old: PA AG (Update)
A former Jehovah’s Witness from Butler County has been convicted of sexually assaulting a young family member over several years, beginning when the victim was just seven, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Friday, Jan. 17.
Shaun Sheffer, 45, was found guilty this week of multiple charges, including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors, according to the AG's Office.
The assaults took place between 1995 and 2000, during which Sheffer had a close relationship with the victim. Authorities said the abuse began wh…
Foot Of Snow Could Wallop Parts Of PA, Winter Storm Warning In Effect
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency beginning Sunday morning, Jan. 19, right as the National Weather Service released a brand-new snowfall forecast for the winter storm heading toward the region.
CLICK HERE FOR LATEST FORECAST AS OF 9 AM JAN. 19, 2025.
The storm will begin with scattered showers and a low of 26 degrees Saturday night, Jan. 18, the NWS said. By Sunday afternoon, snow is expected to begin after 1 p.m., with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees. The snow could be heavy at times, with rates exceeding 1 inch per hour, especially in areas northwest of the…
Arctic Blast Will Follow Snow Showers Across PA With Temps We Haven't Seen In Years, NWS Says
Light snow showers are forecast to begin Thursday afternoon, Jan. 16 across parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, potentially creating slippery conditions during the evening commute, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for several northeast New Jersey counties, including Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex, and Union, with snowfall set to begin after 4 p.m.
Most areas are expected to see less than one inch of snow, though localized accumulations of up to two inches are possible in parts of eastern Pennsylvania near and north of …
CEO Of Reading Company Charged With DUI After Stop On Route 222
The CEO of Optimum Controls Corporation has been charged with driving under the influence after a traffic stop in Lancaster County, police announced on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Michael Galiyano, 76, of Sinking Spring, was pulled over near mile marker 47 on Route 222 North in Denver at approximately 9:38 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, according to East Cocalico Township Police. Officers reported that Galiyano appeared impaired, and a breath test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .187%, more than double the legal limit of .08%.
Galiyano leads Optimum Controls Corporation, a Reading-based company t…
3rd Arrest Made In Shooting Death Of Reading Teen: Report
A third person was arrested for the shooting death of a Berks County teen on Friday, Nov. 8, according to an affidavit.
Gavin Will, 17, of Reading, was charged for his role in the death of 19-year-old Christian Disla in the 1300 block of Muhlenberg Street on Monday, April 1, according to the affidavit.
Will; Brothers, Luis Santos-Cruz, 19, of Reading; and Jonielle Cruz, 17, of Doylestown, acted together to ambush an unnamed second victim who Disla happened to be getting into the same vehicle with, the affidavit states. The second victim was uninjured.
A single bullet struck Disl…
Grammy 2025: Taylor Swift, Post Malone Among Nominees With Pennsylvania Connections
Several artists with ties to Pennsylvania are among the nominees for the 2025 Grammy Awards, announced today, showcasing the state's powerful influence on the music industry. From hometown pop icons like Taylor Swift to collaborations that span genres, Pennsylvania's imprint is undeniable in this year's top categories.
The 2025 Grammy nominations, announced Friday, Nov. 8, feature several artists with connections to Pennsylvania. Notably:
Taylor Swift, 34: Born in Reading and raised in Wyomissing, Swift has secured multiple nominations, including Album of the Year for "The Tortured Poets D…
2 Convicted Of Third-Degree Murder In Brookline Park Shooting: Berks DA
Two men were convicted of third-degree murder in the 2022 Brookline Park shooting on Thursday, Oct. 31, authorities said.
Anthony Boria, 20, of Reading, and Henry Madera Jr., 19, of West Lawn, were each found guilty of third-degree murder for the death of Amiere Bibbs, who was 18 years old when he was found dead at the scene, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office.
The shooting happened when a large group of teens mostly from Governor Mifflin School District gathered to watch a fistfight at Brookline Park in Reading on Friday, March 14, 2022, the district attorney's office…
Berks Man Attempts To Kidnap Girl In Reading Alleyway: Report
A Berks County man attempted to kidnap a girl from an alleyway in Reading on Friday, Oct. 11, authorities said.
Liam Wilkinson, 24, of Blandon, had posed as a teen boy on social media to lure the girl into an alley in the 600 block of Ritter Street, WFMZ 69 News reported on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Once she was in the alley, Wilkinson attempted to get her to climb into his vehicle.
When she refused and tried to leave, Wilkinson chased her down and held a knife to her throat, WFMZ said. She managed to free herself and get away, and Wilkinson took her phone, which she dropped as she struggled…
Reading Man Busted With Drugs, Guns, 'Numerous Paraphernalia Items': Berks DA
A Reading man targeted in a drug bust was found with guns, various drugs, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.
Allah Jamal Johnson, 38, of 1501 Perkiomen Avenue, was arrested outside of his residence on Wednesday, Oct. 23 after authorities executed a search warrant, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office.
An investigation by the Berks County Drug Task Force into Johnson began in August, resulting in a search warrant for his home and his vehicle, a white Buick Regal.
During the search, investigators found:
One Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol with an ob…
Berks Mom Who Googled 'Methods Of Killing' Same Day She Hanged Her Kids Gets 2 Life Sentences
A Reading mom who Googled "methods of killing" before hanging her two children in her basement has been sentenced to life in prison, the Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams announced on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Lisa Snyder, 41, was found guilty of the following on Tuesday, Sept. 24; 2 counts of First-Degree Murder, 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of Children, and Tampering with Evidence, the Berks County DA explained in the release. The charges stem from an investigation into the Sept. 2019 death of her 8-year-old son, 4-year-old daughter, and the family…
'Street-Level' Reading Drug Dealer Arrested With $27K In Drugs: DA
A Reading "street-level" drug dealer was arrested with more than $27,000 worth of heroin and fentanyl, authorities said.
Jaime Serrano-Rosario, 55, was arrested without incident by detectives of the Berks County Drug Task Force on Thursday, Oct. 17, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities found 5,348 packets of heroin/fentanyl, five grams of bulk heroin/fentanyl, a .38 caliber Derringer loaded handgun, and $2,035 in cash at Serrano-Rosario's residence, authorities said. The street value of the heroin/fentanyl seized is about $27,115.
The investigatio…
