Fingerprint Helps ID Man Accused Of Raping Teen Girl Walking To School In Reading

A fingerprint was key in identifying and arresting a man who is now charged with the rape of a teenage girl at knifepoint in Reading, authorities said.

Sean Samuels
Photo Credit: *Reading Police Department*

Nicole Acosta

03/23/2022 11:52 a.m.

The 14-year-old girl told police that she was walking to school on the 1200 block of Hill Road when she was abducted, taken to another location, and sexually assaulted twice, around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, Reading Police Chief Richard Tornielli said.

Thanks in part to a fingerprint, police identified the suspect as 38-year-old Sean Samuels, of Auburn, the chief said. DNA evidence is still pending.

He was arrested on Tuesday, March 22 in Hamburg, police said.

Samuels was charged with a probation violation and the following offenses:

Rape Threat Of Forcible Compulsion
Agg. Ind. Assault - Comp. Less Than 16
Agg. Ind. Assault - Threat of Forcible Compulsion
Poss Instrument Of Crime W/Int
Terroristic Threats W/ Int To Terrorize Another
Simple Assault

Samuels was remanded to the Berks County Jail after failing to post $1 million bail, records show. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 8.

The chief noted that there is no current danger to the public.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Berks and receive free news updates.