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Law Enforcement

Mexican Drug Cartel Linked To Methamphetamine Sales Across Central PA, 55 People Charged: DA Mexican Drug Cartel Linked To Methamphetamine Sales Across Central PA, 55 People Charged: DA
Mexican Drug Cartel Linked To Methamphetamine Sales Across Central PA, 55 People Charged: DA Methamphetamine, which is believed to have been produced by Mexican drug cartels, has charges against 55 people in Central Pennsylvania, the Cumberland County District Attorney Seán M. McCormack announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11.  The charges are the results of "Operation Speed Bump" as a reference to stopping "speed" a nickname for meth from coming into the Commonwealth.  The operation began in January 2024 after multiple overdoses from a higher quality meth. "What the detectives are telling me is that the quality of the methamphetamine they are seizing is consistent with me…
CAPTURED: Norristown Police Nab Man Wanted In Machete Attack, Upper Merion PD Says CAPTURED: Norristown Police Nab Man Wanted In Machete Attack, Upper Merion PD Says
Captured: Norristown Police Nab Man Wanted In Machete Attack, Upper Merion PD Says With help from Norristown police, a man wanted in a machete attack was taken into custody Wednesday morning, Sept. 11 without incident, authorities said. Edward Gomery, 56, is suspected in "an aggravated assault involving a machete" on another man he knew on Aug. 27, Upper Merion police said on Monday, Sept. 9. The attack caused "significant injuries" to the victim, police said. "Thank you to the Norristown officers and to everyone who submitted tips to assist us!" Upper Merion police wrote in a press statement Wednesday. Gomery is now awaiting arraignment and further court proceedings, po…
Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman, 31, Dies 2 Months After Being Shot Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman, 31, Dies 2 Months After Being Shot
Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime Roman, 31, Dies 2 Months After Being Shot A 31-year-old Philadelphia police officer has died from injuries he sustained in a line-of-duty shooting more than 2 months ago,  Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Officer Jaime Roman had been in a coma at Temple University Hospital following a shooting on July 22, 2024. He passed away in the hospital just after 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, according to the Mayor. Roman and his Officer Azieme Lindsey, both assigned to the 25th Police District pulled over a blue Toyota Echo on the 3600 block of F Street near Tioga Street in Kensington, the police explain…
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump came out swinging at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in their first and possibly only presidential debate before the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. Harris made the first move by shaking Trump's hand on stage — in their first face-to-face encounter. Political observers noted how Harris "baited" the former president, prompting him to look increasingly angry. But Trump entered the "spin room" less than an hour after the debate, saying, "I think it was the best debate, personally, that I've ever …
Trooper Shoots Man Dead During Standoff At Trailer Park: PA State Police Trooper Shoots Man Dead During Standoff At Trailer Park: PA State Police
Trooper Shoots Man Dead During Standoff At Trailer Park: PA State Police A Pennsylvania state trooper shot a man dead during a standoff at a mobile home park on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Lycoming County, authorities said. The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation pending an autopsy on Monday, Sept. 9, they said. At about 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Pennsylvania State Police at Montoursville was dispatched to a disturbance at 152 Boak Ave., Lot 49, in Wolf Township. Upon arrival, the investigation revealed that Gary Lee McCartney, 62, exited his trailer and started a verbal argument with a man doing work on an adjacent trailer, State Police said. A…
Teen Wanted In PA Home Invasion, Deadly NJ Train Station Shooting Captured: Marshals Teen Wanted In PA Home Invasion, Deadly NJ Train Station Shooting Captured: Marshals
Teen Wanted In PA Home Invasion, Deadly NJ Train Station Shooting Captured: Marshals A New Jersey fugitive wanted in a deadly train station shooting and a home invasion was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania, authorities said. U.S. Marshals took 19-year-old Damian Bass into custody, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 6. Bass' last known address was in Fanwood. Bass was charged with first-degree murder and two weapons offenses. He was accused of shooting and killing 43-year-old James Hailey of Newark. Marshals from Brooklyn, NY, and Scranton captured Bass in Chestnuthill Township, PA, on Thursday, Sept. 5. "We s…
$100K+ Allegedly Stolen By Former PA Attorney General Director $100K+ Allegedly Stolen By Former PA Attorney General Director
$100K+ Allegedly Stolen By Former PA Attorney General Director A McKeesport Area School District police chief, Director of the Community Violence Fund program for the McKeesport Chapter of the NAACP, and Regional Director of the PA Office of Attorney General’s Region 5 Bureau of Narcotics Investigation is accused of stealing over $100,000 drug forfeiture money and numerous over monetary thefts, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday night, Sept. 5.  Brenda D. Sawyer, 61, of North Versailles, was arrested on the following charges on Sept. 5 for her alleged crimes of taking the money which went missing from…
Weapons Of Mass Destruction Found During Manhunt, PA State Police Say Weapons Of Mass Destruction Found During Manhunt, PA State Police Say
Weapons Of Mass Destruction Found During Manhunt, PA State Police Say "Weapons of mass destruction" were found by troopers searching for an "armed and dangerous" convicted felon wanted on multiple warrants Pennsylvania State Police announced on Monday, Sept. 2. The six-foot tall Jacob "Jake" David Dittenhafer, 36, of Loganville, was seen with a gun wearing a dark-colored hoodie outside a home in the area of 300 block of Smith Rd, Straban Township on Monday morning, PSP Troop H PIO Megan Frazer told Daily Voice around 10:45 a.m. The resident who called the police to the area vaguely knew Dittenhafer, including that he was a convicted felon, PSP Gettysburg Corp…
Grand Jury Indicts Inmate With Shank In Schuylkill County Federal Prison Grand Jury Indicts Inmate With Shank In Schuylkill County Federal Prison
Grand Jury Indicts Inmate With Shank In Schuylkill County Federal Prison A federal prisoner from York has been indicted for possessing a shank in a Pennsylvania facility, authorities said. Anthony Gilbert-Brown, 29, a federal inmate incarcerated at FCI Schuylkill in Minersville, was indicted Wednesday, Aug. 28 by a federal grand jury on the charge of possession of a weapon, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The indictment charges Gilbert-Brown with possessing a prohibited object designed to be used as a weapon, commonly known as a “shank," according to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Special Investigative Servi…
Absoconder! Convicted Sex Offender Wanted By Pennsylvania State Police Absoconder! Convicted Sex Offender Wanted By Pennsylvania State Police
Absoconder! Convicted Sex Offender Wanted By Pennsylvania State Police An arrest warrant has been issued for a convicted sex offender who failed to register with Pennsylvania State Police, according to a release by the Erie County District Attorney's Office on Friday, Aug. 30.  Russell Edward Mason, 44, failed to register as a sex offender, after he was convicted in March 2013 of raping a child and importuning a child in Dec. 2012, according to the PSP Megan's Law Sex Offender Registry.  Mason has been a registered sex offender since May 2016. but he disappeared in Nov. 2021, according to the registry.  Mason was last seen on Nov. 8, …
Constable Charged After Leaving Loaded Gun In Pennsylvania Public Bathroom Constable Charged After Leaving Loaded Gun In Pennsylvania Public Bathroom
Constable Charged After Leaving Loaded Gun In Pennsylvania Public Bathroom A Lebanon County Constable has been charged after he left his gun in a public restroom, the District Attorney's office announced on Thursday, Aug. 29.  Lebanon County Constable James Drahovsky left his gun in the public restroom at the District Justice Office located at 502 State Drive on Monday, Aug. 26, Chief County Detective Jonathan Hess detailed in the affidavit of probable cause.  The 70-year-old left in the Glock 27 loaded with six 40 caliber bullets sometime between 1:37 and 1:44 p.m., Hess explained after watching the surveillance video footage. He left the offi…
Man With Drug Warrant Flees Police In Lycoming County Man With Drug Warrant Flees Police In Lycoming County
Man With Drug Warrant Flees Police In Lycoming County A 40-year-old man was arrested for fleeing police in Lycoming County, authorities said. Michael Charles Devan had been stopped on Aug. 20 by Williamsport police near West Fourth and Campbell streets. During a traffic stop, Devan learned that he had an active felony drug warrant, police said. Devan accelerated away and fled from police for over a mile through residential areas of the city, exceeding speeds of 60 mph, police said. Devan ultimately was apprehended in the 500 block of Lycoming Street without further incident.  In addition to the original felony drug warrant, Devan was a…
Schuylkill County Man Threatened FBI Agents On Social Media: USDOJ Schuylkill County Man Threatened FBI Agents On Social Media: USDOJ
Schuylkill County Man Threatened FBI Agents On Social Media: Usdoj A 42-year-old Schuylkill County man used social media to threaten FBI agents, authorities said. Joshua Frisch, of Frackville, was sentenced on Aug. 7, to time served (six months) and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Julia K. Munley for one count of Influencing a Federal Official by Threat, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Frisch previously pleaded guilty to threatening federal law enforcement officers, namely FBI Agents, with the intent to interfere with those officers in the performance of their official duties, according to U.S. Attorney…
Police ID Family Dead In Bucks County Double Murder-Suicide Police ID Family Dead In Bucks County Double Murder-Suicide
Police ID Family Dead In Bucks County Double Murder-Suicide A 59-year-old Bucks County man killed his wife and son before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. Steven Chow shot and killed 21-year-old Raymond Chow and 63-year-old Amy Troung while they lay in their beds, before fatally shooting himself a short time later in "The Ridings of Buckingham" neighborhood, they said. The double murder-suicide occurred in the 3900 Block Charter Club Drive, in Buckingham Township. at about 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, according to Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer M. Schorn and Buckingham Township Police Chief David J. Scirrotto. Upon arrival, off…
Sex Offender Slashes Woman's Face In Lancaster Street, Police Say Sex Offender Slashes Woman's Face In Lancaster Street, Police Say
Victor Sanchez Charges After Slashing Woman In Face: Police A woman was slashed across her face on Wednesday night, Aug. 7, Lancaster City police announced the following day.  Victor Manuel Sanchez, 62, of Lancaster, appeared to be attempting to stab the woman "possibly beat a female with a knife in the 100 block of N. Queen St." around 9:40 p.m., the police stated in the release.  The woman "sustained a slash on her face after Sanchez struck her with the blade of his knife," police said. She was located by the police but her condition was not shared publicly. Sanchez was located and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, accordin…
Speakers Filled With Millions In Meth, Cocaine From Cali Found In Bucks Co.: DA Speakers Filled With Millions In Meth, Cocaine From Cali Found In Bucks Co.: DA
Speakers Filled With Millions In Meth, Cocaine From Cali Found In Bucks Co.: DA Six men were charged with trafficking millions of dollars in methamphetamine and cocaine by concealing them inside Bluetooth karaoke speakers and shipping them from California to Bucks County, authorities said. This multifaceted investigation by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Attorney General’s Office resulted in the dismantling of the Byrne Drug Trafficking Organization, led by Matthew James Byrne, 43, of Broomall in Delaware County, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn announced on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The Charged Suspects …
Officers Named Following Police Shooting During Standoff With PA Fugitive At Maryland Motel Officers Named Following Police Shooting During Standoff With PA Fugitive At Maryland Motel
Officers Named Following Police Shooting During Standoff With PA Fugitive At Maryland Motel The Frederick County Sheriff's Office has identified the officers involved in the shooting of a wanted Pennsylvania fugitive during a barricade situation at a Maryland motel over the weekend. Shortly before midnight on Aug. 1, deputies from the Frederick County Police Department and Sheriff's Office were called to the Super 8 motel on Monocacy Boulevard, where they were tipped off about a fugitive wanted out of Beaver County who was believed to be in the area. Super 8 located on Monocacy Boulevard Google Maps street view According to the sheriff's office, they were able to make cont…
Fleeing DUI Driver Charged In Firefighter's Death: Bucks DA Fleeing DUI Driver Charged In Firefighter's Death: Bucks DA
Fleeing DUI Driver Charged In Firefighter's Death: Bucks DA A 26-year-old driver was heavily intoxicated when he fled from a Hilltown Township police officer leading to a crash that killed his passenger, a former volunteer firefighter, authorities said. Colin John Wahlers, of Perkasie, was arraigned Friday, Aug. 2, on charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude police, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence-general impairment, driving under the influence-highest rate, and recklessly endangering another person, according to the Bucks County District Attorney. He was also charged with fi…
Shot Fired From PA Trooper's Pistol After Pursuit Led By Man Intimidating Victim: Police Shot Fired From PA Trooper's Pistol After Pursuit Led By Man Intimidating Victim: Police
Shot Fired From PA Trooper's Pistol After Pursuit Led By Man Intimidating Victim: Police A single shot was fired from a PA State Trooper's weapon while arresting a man wanted for intimidating a victim hours after being served with a protection from abuse order in Franklin County, police said. Brett Daniel Crone, 43, of Greencastle, was served with the order sometime Saturday, July 27, PSP Trooper Megan Frazer said. Troopers were called around 8:40 p.m. on reports of Crone intimidating a victim, Frazer said. Troopers saw Crone driving near Dresden Circle and Wedgewood Driver in Antrim Township, and tried to pull him over, Frazer said. Crone failed to stop and a pursuit was init…
Harrisburg Concertmaster's Alleged Rape Of Young Girl Detailed In Disturbing Affidavit Harrisburg Concertmaster's Alleged Rape Of Young Girl Detailed In Disturbing Affidavit
Harrisburg Concertmaster's Alleged Rape Of Young Girl Detailed In Disturbing Affidavit A violinist and former concertmaster of the Harrisburg Symphony has been charged with multiple felonies for sexually abusing a child starting when she was 6 years old and continuing until she was 17 years old, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice.  Odin J. Rathnam, 58 of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, was arrested at his home on a warrant by the Lower Paxton Bureau of Police in connection with the sexual assaults which happened "throughout Dauphin County and other areas of Pennsylvania between 2008 and 2019," as stated in a police release.  **WARNING: The Details Of This C…
Lower Paxton Police Detective Dies Suddenly, Department Says Lower Paxton Police Detective Dies Suddenly, Department Says
Lower Paxton Police Detective Dies Suddenly, Department Says A longtime member of the Lower Paxton Township police has suddenly and unexpectedly passed away, the department announced on Wednesday, July 24.  Detective Steven Wertz, 42, was off-duty duty when he passed away, officials with the department explained. The date of his passing was not released at the time of publishing.  Wertz had been with the department for 18 years and had been assigned to the Criminal Investigation Section since October 2021, according to the release. The following about his life was shared in his obituary: "He was raised in the Powells Valley area and grad…
Kipona Fireworks, Drone Show Canceled In Harrisburg: Officials Kipona Fireworks, Drone Show Canceled In Harrisburg: Officials
Kipona Fireworks, Drone Show Canceled In Harrisburg: Officials Independence Day violence continues to haunt Harrisburg, leading to the cancelation of the drone and firework show at Kipona, Mayor Wanda Williams announced on Wednesday, July 24.  The cancelation is due to "serious incidents during the fireworks displays at two of the last three July 4th shows," Mayor Williams said. Three people were arrested following gunfire at the 2024 show, as Daily Voice reported at the time.  The Mayor said the following about the cancelation: "We hope this is not a permanent decision, but a temporary break. I have tasked Commissioner Carter to develop a …
Suspect Arrested For Shooting Pennsylvania State Police Corporal: Troopers Suspect Arrested For Shooting Pennsylvania State Police Corporal: Troopers
Alfredo Maldonado-Gonzalez Charged for Shooting PSP Corporal A Pennsylvania State Police Corporal was shot while conducting a warranted in Lancaster on Wednesday, July 24, PSP Troop J PIO James Grothey announced. The shooting happened when Troop J's Criminal Investigation Unit was conducting a search "pertaining to an ongoing armed robbery investigation and was to be executed on multiple storage units" at 629 East Fulton Street in Lancaster City at 6:19 a.m., Grothey detailed in a release. Before beginning the search, "After Troopers announced their presence and intentions to execute a search warrant," Grothey explained in an upda…
Trooper Not Charged For Causing Crash, PA State Police Say Trooper Not Charged For Causing Crash, PA State Police Say
Trooper Not Charged For Causing Crash, PA State Police Say A trooper — in a marked police car — blew through a red light outside a Target crashing into a private vehicle, Pennsylvania State Police announced in a release on Wednesday, July 17. Trooper Blaze Raisner, 27 of Lancaster, drove a PSP 2022 Dodge Charger through the red light at the intersection of Witmer and Cover Bridge road in Lancaster, East Lampeter Township at 11:08 a.m. on June 20, PSP Lancaster Trooper Kory Wardrop detailed in the release.  Raisner struck Sarah Jeffery, 31 of York's 2014 Ford Focus on the driver's side door as he ran the light on Witmer, according to …
Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Victim Pointed Modified Gun At Police: Dauphin DA (VIDEOS) Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Victim Pointed Modified Gun At Police: Dauphin DA (VIDEOS)
Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Victim Pointed Modified Gun At Police: Dauphin DA (Videos) The use of force in the deadly officer-involved shooting on June 9 has been ruled justified, thanks in part to videos found on the victim's cellphone, the Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo explained in a release on July 11.  Kendrell Tyree Hall, 22 of Harrisburg, fired a Glock 9mm pistol (modified with a "glock switch" turning it into an automatic gun), then fled from police, fired at police — striking K9 Rex, so officers fired back and he fled, then raised his gun to fire at the two officers — so they shot at him which killed him, as detailed in the DA's release and as …
Three Arrested Amid Fireworks Show In Harrisburg: Officials Three Arrested Amid Fireworks Show In Harrisburg: Officials
Three Arrested Amid Fireworks Show In Harrisburg: Officials Three people were taken into custody and the fireworks show was called off during July 4 celebrations in Harrisburg, city officials said in a release.  On three separate occasions during the show at Riverfront Park, police said they "noticed what they believed were weapons being carried in the crowd of people," said Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams in a statement.  They fled when officers approached them, according to officials.  A juvenile was later found with a Glock with a 24-round magazine, and an adult man with another juvenile was seen throwing a gun into the river …
Hummelstown Police SUV Causes Crash, PA State Police Say Hummelstown Police SUV Causes Crash, PA State Police Say
Hummelstown Police SUV Causes Crash, PA State Police Say A Hummelstown police officer caused a three-vehicle crash, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Monday, July 1.  Officer Jamie Saenz, 38, of the Hummelstown Police was driving a marked department SUV, a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, when she ran a stop sign and was hit by on-coming traffic, according to the state police.  The other vehicle, a 2019 Buick Enore, was driven by a 53-year-old woman with a 22-year-old man in the passenger's seat — they did not have a stop sign, PSP Harrisburg Trooper Dustin Chubb explained.  The crash happened at the intersection of East High and Prospe…
PA Man Charged With Murder After Toddler Found Foaming At Mouth: DA PA Man Charged With Murder After Toddler Found Foaming At Mouth: DA
PA Man Charged With Murder After Toddler Found Foaming At Mouth: DA A 21-month-old child in Kennett Township died after being beaten by an adult man, prosecutors say.  Enrique Lopez-Gomez, 20, of West Grove, is charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and related counts, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.  Authorities said they were called to a home on the 600 block of Cope Road around 11 p.m. Monday, June 24.  When they arrived, the child's mother brought him outside wrapped in a blanket and foaming from the mouth and nose, prosecutors said. He was bruised and had no pulse, authorities noted. …
Man Attempts To Lure Child Into Bathroom At Lancaster Park, Police Allege Man Attempts To Lure Child Into Bathroom At Lancaster Park, Police Allege
Richard Gerth Charged With Child Luring A 60-year-old man "attempted to lure a child into a bathroom" at a Lancaster City park over the weekend, the police announced on Wednesday, June 26.  Richard Gerth of Lancaster City was spotted leaving Long's Park by police officers called to investigate around 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, according to the release.  An office also made contact with the 7-year-old child and their parents, who reported the attempt "to lure their child into the stall [Gerth] was occupying while the child was in the bathroom with their younger sibling," as stated in the release.  Gerth was arres…
COLD CASE: Philly Woman Found Strangled Off I-81 In Schuylkill County COLD CASE: Philly Woman Found Strangled Off I-81 In Schuylkill County
Cold CASE: Philly Woman Found Strangled Off I-81 In Schuylkill County Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the murder of Caryn Fortino.  Fortino, 38, was found dead in a wooded area off of Interstate 81 in Delano Township on May 23, 2003. She had been strangled, according to troopers.  Authorities said Fortino was from the Philadelphia area and was last in contact with loved ones that February. A 2003 report from the Allentown Morning Call said her last known address was in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, but that she had moved back to Philly before her death.  She was not reported missing, changed addresses often, and was thought to be w…
15-Year-Old Missing In Bucks County: Police (UPDATED) 15-Year-Old Missing In Bucks County: Police (UPDATED)
15-Year-Old Missing In Bucks County: Police (Updated) UPDATE: The subject of this report was located safely, Penndel police said Monday, July 1.  Penndel police are looking for a missing teenager.  Anyone with information is asked to call Penndel Borough Police Department at 215-757-5151.