50°
Samir Bentley, 20, of Philadelphia, is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and possessing an instrument of crime.
Eric Baker, 26, of Norristown is wanted on charges of aggravated assault, a person not to possess a firearm and recklessly endangering another person.
Officers arrived at 429 E. High St. around 8:30 p.m. and discovered Robert Stiles lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Pottstown Police Chief Mick Markovich.
He was rushed to Reading Hospital, where he later died of his injuries, authorities said.
Investigators were able to find city surveillance cameras that captured the homicide.
The video shows several men gathered near 439 E. High St. when one "Black male" hands something to Bentley, who is known to police, the DA's office said.
Bentley then allegedly fires three shots directly at Stiles, who falls to the ground.
Bentley, along with the man who handed him the item and another "Black male", flee the scene and get into a dark-colored minivan, authorities said.
As the minivan pulls away, a "Black male with dreadlocks" wearing a sweatshirt with “Glock” on the front, is seen firing an assault rifle at the minivan as it flees, according to the DA's office.
A white Toyota and black Nissan were also captured leaving the scene.
Several minutes after the shooting, Pottstown police officers responded to a two-vehicle accident at North Washington and Beech Streets involving a white Toyota Corolla and a black Nissan Altima, authorities said.
Witnesses told investigators they saw four people fleeing the Nissan, one of whom had dreadlocks and was carrying an assault-style rifle, the DA's office said.
Three.45-caliber, one 9mm, and seven.22-caliber fired cartridge casings, as well as a cellphone with a background photo of Bentley, were recovered at the murder scene, according to authorities.
At the crash scene, a search warrant was executed on both cars.
Investigators found a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun in the Toyota, and a Pennsylvania ID update card belonging to Baker in the Nissan, the DA's office said.
Stiles' cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, and his manner of death was homicide, according to an autopsy performed on his body on Oct. 24.
“This cold-blooded murder was captured on the surveillance system monitored in real-time by the Pottstown police, and we have issued arrest warrants for the shooter and another involved in less than 48 hours,” DA Steele said.
“We need the public’s help in finding Bentley and Baker. They should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Bentley is described as a Black male who stands at 5-feet 8-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds.
Baker is described as a Black male who stands at 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds.
If anyone spots either man, call 911 immediately. Anyone with information on either man’s whereabouts or the murder, contact Pottstown police at 610-970-6570 or call the Montgomery County Detectives’ Tip Line at 610-278-DOIT (3638). Anonymous text tips can be submitted using MontcoCrimeTips on the STOPit! app.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Montgomery and receive free news updates.
