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7 Hospitalized, 30 Displaced After Arson Damages 6 Homes In Pennsylvania: Police
A fire in Allentown that injured seven people, including four firefighters, and displaced 30 residents is now being investigated as arson, authorities announced Friday, Dec. 27.
Santos Mota-Ramirez, 60, of Allentown, has been charged in connection with the fire, police announced Friday.
The blaze began around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, in the 700 block of West Cedar Street and quickly spread to six adjacent row homes, according to the Allentown Fire Department.
Dozens of firefighters battled the flames, which left five families displaced and caused severe damage to multiple homes, offi…
Chester County Man With Traumatic Brain Injury Pleads Guilty To Lancaster County Crime Spree
A Chester County man blamed a traumatic brain injury and addiction for his months-long crime spree across Lancaster County, which ended in a violent crash, prosecutors announced on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
James Steffy, 41, of West Ridge Road in West Nottingham Township, pleaded guilty to 35 charges, including aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, burglary, theft, and access device fraud, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
Steffy suffered a traumatic brain injury that caused significant memory loss after crashing a stolen vehicle head-on into a…
Shots Fired At Police Officer Lands Reading Man Homicide Attempt Charge: Berks DA
A 22-year-old man was arrested after allegedly firing multiple gunshots at police officers during a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, the Berks County District Attorney's office announced on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
The incident began when officers spotted a stolen Toyota Camry on Cotton Street around 8:01 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, as detailed in the DA's release. When they attempted a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Davius Manuel Ortiz, fled on foot, leading police through alleys and backyards.
During the chase, Ortiz reportedly fired at least seven shots at officers and nearby …
Road Rage: Father, Son Charged For Ramming Truck, Firing Shots, PA State Police Say
A father and son are accused of chasing a man through Mount Pleasant Township and firing a shotgun at his truck, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Friday, Dec. 13.
Paul Caletri Jr., 70, and Paul Caletri III, 30, were charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person, and summary reckless driving, police said.
The incident began at approximately 11 a.m. on Bridgeport Street when the victim reported being confronted by the Caletris. Caletri III allegedly pointed a shotgun at the victim through his driver's side window, t…
Homicide Charge Lodged Against PA Strip Club Shooter (Update)
A New Jersey man previously charged in a shooting at a Morrisville gentlemen’s club is now facing a homicide charge after the victim died from his injuries, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Pedro E. Rodriguez, 28, of Trenton, NJ, is accused of fatally shooting Mekhi Norman, 28, at The Border Gentlemen’s Club at 440 S. Pennsylvania Ave. on Thursday, Aug. 29, authorities said.
Norman, an innocent bystander, was struck in the head, thigh, and torso while trying to assist staff during an altercation at the club’s doorway around 1:15 a.m., police sai…
Allentown Man Kills Palmerton Mechanic In Whitehall Parking Lot Shooting: DA
An Allentown man is accused of fatally shooting a Palmerton man in a Whitehall Township parking lot during a dispute, authorities announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Hector Garcia Gomez, 46, was shot multiple times in the torso in the parking lot of Loco Hot Deals at 1155 MacArthur Road, Whitehall Township, around 6:03 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, according to the Whitehall Township Police Department and Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.
Garcia Gomez was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 7:43 p.m., authorities …
Marcus Hook Man Attacked NJ Homeowner With Thermos In Side Yard, Police Say
A Pennsylvania man was accused of hitting a Middle Township man in the head with a metal thermos early one morning, authorities said.
Michael Bogue of Marcus Hook, PA, was arrested in the attack, the Middle Township Police Department said in a news release on Wednesday, Dec. 4. He was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and criminal trespassing.
Middle Township police responded to an assault report on Lafayette Avenue in the Green Creek section at around 5:46 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Officers learned the homeowner first spotted a m…
Details Revealed In Infant’s Death; PA Man Faces Murder Charge: Affidavit
Newly released court documents provide chilling details about the events leading up to the death of a 3-month-old baby, for which Harrisburg resident Eriezer Eddie Melendez Jr., 37, is now facing a murder charge.
According to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to a home on Canvasback Drive in Oliver Township on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8:31 a.m., for a report of an infant in cardiac arrest. The baby, identified as "CR," was transported to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where doctors determined she…
Two Men Charged With Attempted Murder In Eastern PA Shooting: DA
Two men have been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man in Allentown, District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca announced on Thursday, Nov. 28.
Christopher Joel Colon, 32, and John Brace, 32, both of Allentown, are accused of shooting Jorge Alicea Jr. multiple times around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, on the 400 block of North Jordan Street, according to authorities.
Alicea Jr. was found with multiple gunshot wounds and rushed into surgery by Allentown EMS, police said.
Video evidence showed Alicea walking across a porch to a doub…
PA Man Accused Of Shaking Infant Now Charged With Murder
The tragic case involving Eriezer Eddie Melendez Jr., 37, of Harrisburg, has escalated as the 3-month-old baby he was accused of shaking has died from her injuries, a source close to the family told Daily Voice.
The infant was removed from life support on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., and passed away at 10:35 p.m., according to family sources. As a result, Melendez now faces a Felony 1 Murder charge in addition to five other charges:
Felony 1: Aggravated assault – victim less than 13 years old and defendant 18 or older.
Felony 2: Aggravated assault – victim less than 6 years old a…
Smoke Shop Robberies, Shooting Suspect Arrested In Philly (Videos)
A man suspected in three smoke shop robberies, including one where a store employee was shot, has been arrested, Philadelphia police announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
Tyree Hatch, 47, is believed to have carried out the armed robberies at convenience stores and vape shops in Northeast Philadelphia over three days, beginning on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, according to Captain James Kearney.
The first incident occurred around 1 p.m. at Exotic Convenience Store in the 6700 block of Castor Avenue. Police say Hatch brandished a black handgun, forced a store employee to the register, and fled wit…
NJ Fugitive Joshua Ronan Arrested For Attempted Murder PA
A New Jersey fugitive accused of beating a man with a brick in Hatfield, Montgomery County, PA, earlier this month has been taken into custody, authorities announced Friday, Nov. 22.
Joshua Ronan, 30, of Lansdale, was arrested without incident at a female friend's apartment on East Main Street in Lansdale, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Hatfield Police Chief William Tierney, and Lansdale Police Chief Michael Trail.
Ronan is charged with Criminal Attempt-Murder and other offenses in the Nov. 5, 2024, attack on Mark Miller, 41, of Lansdale, authorities said. …
PA Teen Who Was ‘Going To Kill My Dad Today’ Sentenced To Prison
A Caernarvon Township teenager who attacked his father with a BB gun and a knife after declaring he was “going to kill my dad today” has been sentenced to 3 to 6 years in state prison, authorities announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Nicholas Martin, 17, pleaded guilty on Oct. 28 to aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and simple assault, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Along with his prison term, Martin was ordered to pay over $226,000 in restitution to cover his father's medical expenses.
The attack occurred on Oct. 11, 2023, at their home in…
PA Man Gets Jail Time For Assaulting Another Police Officer: Usdoj
A Bucks County man is getting jail time after targeting a law enforcement officer for the second time, the US Department of Justice said in a Thursday, Nov. 14 news release.
Anthony Lombardo, 46, of Bristol, was sentenced to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release for assaulting a federal officer on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, the news release states.
Lombardo drove to the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse located at 7th and Market streets in Philadelphia on the day of the incident, according to the news release. When he arrived at the courthouse, he brandished a large kitc…
6-Year-Old Girl Repeatedly Raped By PA Man Wanted By Police: Affidavit
A Coatesville man is wanted on charges for repeatedly raping a six-year-old Chester County girl, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Mark Eric Allen, 57, was charged with Rape of Child and related offenses after the girl, now a teen, reported him to police on Monday, Nov. 4, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The girl told police that Allen exposed himself, sexually assaulted her, and attempted to have sex with her multiple times when she was between the ages of 6 and 8 years old, the affidavit states.
She was living in Philadelphia wh…
Man Accused Of Raping 6-Year-Old PA Girl Arrested (Update)
The Coatesville man wanted for repeatedly raping a six-year-old Chester County girl has been arrested, according to the Parkesburg Borough Police Department.
Mark Eric Allen, 57, was arrested and charged with Rape of Child and related offenses on Thursday, Nov. 14, police said. The Phoenixville Borough Police Department aided in his arrest.
Allen was charged with Rape of Child and related offenses before his arrest after the girl, now a teen, reported him to police on Monday, Nov. 4, according to prior reporting by Daily Voice.
The girl told police that Allen exposed himself, sexually assa…
3rd Arrest Made In Shooting Death Of Berks 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…
Young NJ Mom's Accused Killer Shot By Philadelphia Police, Authorities Say
A man accused of killing a young New Jersey mother is in critical but stable condition after being shot by police during a tense confrontation in Philadelphia.
Spencer Majett, 29, who has been charged with murder in the Tuesday, Oct. 8 killing of 23-year-old Felicity Vanatta of Salem, NJ, was injured after a police pursuit turned violent on Thursday, Nov. 7, police said.
Officers Josue Reyes and Michael Trask encountered Majett in the city’s Kensington neighborhood. Upon recognizing him as a suspect, the officers attempted to stop him, prompting a foot chase along the 3100 block of Reach St…
2 Convicted of Third-Degree Murder in 2022 Shooting at Berks County Park: 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…