UPDATED: Pottstown shooting victim identified

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com

(UPDATED 2:25 p.m.) POTTSTOWN — The man who died in an overnight shooting in the borough has been identified.
George Hashimbey, 22, was found in a fifth floor apartment of the King Street Commons apartment building at 262 King Street around 12:30 a.m.
Hashimbey, according to the Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Walter Hoffman died of a gunshot wound to the stomach and chest area.
The autopsy was completed Friday and Hoffman said the manner of death was homicide.
According to the coroner’s office, Hashimbey did not live in the apartment.
Hashimbey was found dead at the scene, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office.
His body was carried out of the building by officials from the Montgomery County Coroner’s office at 9:15 Friday morning.
The second male victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital, according to the press release. The district attorney did not release the name of the second victim but said he is 23-years-old.
Several neighbors, who did not wish to be identified, said the sound of the gunshots woke them up.
Anyone with information should call the Pottstown Police Department at 610-970-6570 or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368.
Check back for more details.

POTTSTOWN — After an overnight shooting in the borough, one person is dead and one person is in the hospital.

Police responded to the 5th floor of the King Street Commons apartment building at 262 King St. around 12:36 a.m. Friday.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney, the 22-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The body of the victim was carried out of the building by officials from the Montgomery County Coroner’s office at 9:15 Friday morning.

Officials are still waiting to contact the victim’s family and will not release a name until they do so, the district attorney’s office said in a press release issued this morning.

The second male victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, according to the press release. The district attorney did not release the name or the age of the second victim.

Several neighbors, who did not wish to be identified, said the sound of the gunshots woke them up.

Investigators were still in the building at 9:30 a.m., documenting the crime scene.

The investigation is ongoing. 

Check back for more details.

Video and photos by John Strickler.




EARLIER VERSION OF THE STORY
POTTSTOWN — One person is dead and one person is in the hospital after an early morning shooting in the borough.
The shooting occurred around midnight on King Street.

I will post more details as they become available.

Homeless man tased after running from Spring City police

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

Alex Hartzell

SPRING CITY — On Dec. 22, the subject of an investigation led police on a foot chase along the banks of the Schuylkill River, police said.
Alex Hartzell, 21, was found sleeping under a bridge that connects Spring City to Royersford, police said.
The bridge is located in Riverfront Park and, according to police, it is clearly marked with a no trespassing sign.
When an officer arrived to speak with Hartzell, he ran north down the river bank, police said.
In order to stop Hartzell, police said the officer involved used a Taser.
While police were searching the area where Hartzell was sleeping they found two Apple iPod classics, one iPod touch and marijuana, police said.
Hartzell was charged with multiple misdemeanors including receiving stolen property, escape and resisting arrest, according to court documents.
He is confined to the Chester County Prison in lieu of $2,500. His next appearance in court is scheduled for Dec. 26 at 9 a.m. in front of District Judge James. V. Deangelo.

North Coventry man accused of raping neighbor

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 


NORTH COVENTRY — A man is accused of raping a neighbor while her toddler son was in the next room, police said.
Around 3 p.m. on Dec. 21 Wesley Darren Cross, 27, of North Coventry, allegedly told the victim he needed to borrow her cell phone then refused to give it back, police said.
According to police, Cross told the victim, “it would cost her” if she wanted her phone back.
When the victim told Cross it was her phone and it would not cost her anything, Cross allegedly forced the victim to perform sexual acts on him, police said.
During the alleged rape, the victim’s son was in the bathtub, police said. At one point, the boy walked into the room and started throwing water on Cross using a cup and water from the bath, police said.
While police were investigating the incident they found three children, all under the age of 10, alone in Cross’ apartment.
Officers said they found Cross in the parking lot smoking a cigar that tested positive for marijuana, police said.
Cross was charged with multiple felonies including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated indecent assault. He was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, harassment and other related charges according to court paperwork.
He was arraigned on Dec. 22 by District Judge Lori Novak Donatelli, who set Cross’ bail at $500,000.

Cross is confined to the Chester County Prison in lieu of bail and his next appearance in court is scheduled for Dec. 26 in front of District Judge James V. Deangelo.

East Pikeland police investigate string of thefts, burglaries

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

EAST PIKELAND  - Police are warning residents of a Grinch who is stealing from homes.
In less than 24 hours, two residents reported thefts on Wednesday night in the township, police said.
According to police, a resident reported a theft from the 100 block of Bimful Drive around 8 a.m. Police said tip money was taken from the top of a trash can.
Police said the witness saw a woman exit a white Chevrolet pickup truck take the money.
Around 7:15 p.m. that same day, officers responded to Winslow Drive after a gift card was taken from a mailbox, police said.
After the mail was delivered, police said, the mail box was opened and a $50 gift card was taken.
The resident said the mail was delivered between 1 p.m and 2 p.m. that day.
These two thefts follow two reported business burglaries that occurred on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17.
"We are looking into the burglaries and checking with other municipalities to see if they have had any crimes with the same motive," Police Chief James Franciscus said Thursday.
Franciscus said residents need to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and alert police right away.
"We are utilizing the use of unmarked police cars and officers in plain clothes," Franciscus said.
Police are encouraging residents who want to tip their trash collectors to do so personally. They also warn residents to collect packages off their doors as quickly as possible.
"It seems Mr. Scrooge is still out there trying to steal Christmas," Franciscus said.


 

Police investigate multiple burglaries in two days

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com


EAST PIKELAND — Township police are investigating two burglaries that happened in a span of two days.
Police said the cash register at Liki Sushi in the 200 block of Schuylkill Road was emptied some time between Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. The back door of the restaurant was pried open, police said.
Around 3 a.m. on Dec. 17, police responded to an alarm at Queen Appliance in the 700 block of Pike Springs Road, police said.
When officers arrived, they found the door was pried open and an unknown amount of money was taken from a small cash box, police said.
According to police, one or more suspects left foot prints in the snow in front of the store.

Anyone with information should call police at 610-935-0606.

Pottstown man charged after selling drugs to informant

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

POTTSTOWN — After an eight month investigation, a man is in jail after he was charged with multiple drug-related felonies.
Jamal Alexander Deleon, 23, of Pottstown, is confined to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to court documents.
According to police, a confidential informant met with Deleon to purchase marijuana in March and April of this year.
Deleon was charged with multiple counts of intent to manufacture and deliver drugs, criminal use of a communication facility, and other related misdemeanors, court documents said.
He was arraigned on Dec. 12, by District Judge Scott T. Palladino. Deleon is expected in court again on Jan. 2, 2014.
Deleon was charged in 2009 with intent to manufacture and deliver drugs, according to court paperwork.

Police Briefs: Dec. 17, 2013

LIMERICK — Police charged a driver from Bridsboro for driving too fast after his car crashed on Route 422  on Dec. 14.
Erik R. Damgaard, 29, was driving his 2004 Mazda 6 east on Route 422 around 6:46 p.m. when his car left the road and hit a concrete median, police said.
Damgaard and his passenger, 31-year-old Christopher S. Luckey, of Birdsboro, were both wearing seat belts, police said.

SKIPPACK — A Pottstown man was charged with driving in the wrong lane after his car crashed on Dec. 12 around 6:46 p.m., police said.
Scott A. Aston, 48, was driving west on Route 73 when the driver’s side of his Volvo XC60 hit a utility pole, police said.
According to police, Aston’s car rolled over and stopped facing east in the right lane.
Aston was wearing his seat belt and reporting officers did not report any injuries, police said.  

WORCESTER — A Phoenixville man was charged with driving under the influence on Dec. 14 around 1:42 a.m., police said.
Austin Fitzgerald Carney, 23, was stopped by an officer with the Pennsylvania State Police near Berks Road on Route 73, police said.

UNION — Two students at Daniel Boone High School were cited with harassment after police responded to the school on Dec. 12.
According to police, a 14-year-old and 15-year-old male were fighting between the 12:56 p.m. and 1:38 p.m.

TRAPPE — Police are searching for a GPS unit that was taken from a car in the 500 block of Hagey Place.
According to police, the TomTom GPS unit was taken between Nov. 19 around 8 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 11 a.m.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-584-1250.

TRAPPE — A Trappe resident reported a box of work tools missing from a parking lot in the 500 block of Hancock Court on Dec. 11.
The victim told officers the box was unattended for 15 minutes between 6:45 a.m. and 7: 10 a.m., police said.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-584-1250.

Pottstown man charged with kidnapping, assault in Colebrookdale

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com  

COLEBROOKDALE — A man was charged with kidnapping after he allegedly kept a woman in her home overnight, police said.

James E. Crowder, 45, of Pottstown, was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, false imprisonment, and other related charges according to court documents.

The victim, according to police, came to the township police department on Dec. 13 around 5:50 a.m., approximately 30 minutes after Crowder let the woman out of her house.

Police said the victim had visible bruises on her right and left eye and cheek as well as scratch marks on her neck. Police also observed a bite mark on the victim’s back.

During the interview with police, the victim said in a written statement that Crowder came to the house on Ungers Lane around 5 p.m. on Dec. 12, allegedly threatening to hurt her. The victim told police Crowder pushed his way into the bedroom, and allegedly began punching her. While Crowder allegedly kept the victim in her bedroom, a child was in the living room, police said. According to the victim, the child did not see the alleged abuse.

According to the victim, Crowder allegedly took her cell phone and would not let her leave the room. She told officers Crowder allegedly went into the bathroom with her to prevent escape, police said.

Crowder allegedly kept the victim’s cellphone until 5:20 a.m. on Dec. 13, when she needed to leave for work, police said.

Crowder was arrested and arraigned on Dec. 13 by District Judge Michael G. Hartman. He is confined to the Berks County Prison in lieu of $200,00 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 18.

Theft from vehicles: New Hanover

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com

NEW HANOVER - Police are asking the public for help in finding two men who are accused of stealing from cars in the 2600 block of Romig Road.

According to police, the two men were seen at a Wawa and a Wal-Mart using credit cards that were reported stolen.

The alleged thefts occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 9, police said.

Anyone with information should contact Officer Dekkar Dyas at 610-327-1150.

Pottstown Week in Review: Nov. 30 - Dec. 6

Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 24 crimes were reported in Pottstown. According to crimemapping.com, there were 76 reported crimes during the same seven days from the end October into the beginning of November. 

• Arson: 0
• Assaults: 4
• Burglaries: 3 
• Disturbing the peace: 6
• Drug/Alcohol violation: 1
• DUI: 0
• Fraud: 0
• Homicide: 0 
• Motor vehicle theft: 1
• Robbery: 0
• Sex crimes: 0 
• Theft/Larceny: 5 
• Vandalism: 2
• Vehicle break-in: 2 
• Weapons crimes: 0   

Breakdown of crimes in Pottstown by type

Breakdown of crimes in Pottstown by day. 

Coatesville police unveil app for tips

(This story is out of the Mercury's coverage area, but this is an interesting initiative from the Coatesville Police Department. Do you think a mobile phone app for anonymous crime tips would work in Pottstown?)


By: Michael N. Price
mprice@dailylocal.com 

COATESVILLE — The city’s police department unveiled a modernized anonymous tip system this week in an effort to improve the department’s communication with residents, especially those from younger generations.

Residents may now submit anonymous tips by sending a text message to 847-411 with the keyword “Coatesville.”

The Coatesville Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in the county to launch its own mobile phone application. Implemented through a partnership with the Minnesota-based firm Citizen Observer, the system allows the department to communicate with the public while allowing tipsters to remain completely anonymous.

“It’s just another way for the people to share information, and it’s another way for us to share information with the public and hopefully connect with a younger demographic,” said Sergeant Rodger Ollis, who runs many of the department’s community outreach programs.

The new program provides city residents with several options to submit anonymous tips to the city’s police department, including text messages, a mobile application, and a website accessible from the department’s new Facebook page. When a tip is submitted, the department’s senior officers and all shift supervisors receive an automated text message notifications on their cell phones.

The department’s officers are also able to respond to tipsters through the application.

“This is just another way to reach a younger demographic that always has a phone but who may not be willing to speak to someone on the phone, but they still want to submit a tip, this allows them to do that,” Ollis said.

The system also allows residents to sign up to receive alerts from the department, which police officials said will be used for road closures, weather alerts, and even notices of wanted persons.

Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer said he decided to pursue the new tip system because he felt the department could do more to connect with the city’s young people.

“I kind of felt like we were missing the boat on connecting with the younger generation who grew up with smart phones and other forms of technology,” Laufer said. “I felt that it had real possibilities for us in this city, I felt it was a great application to connect with people who aren’t comfortable with talking to someone on the phone.”

Laufer said he wanted to implement the system after observing the success other agencies had while using it, including the New Castle County and Newark police departments in Delaware.

Laufer stressed that the new system is not intended to replace emergency systems like dialing 911, but said it could become a valuable tool for both the police department and the general public.

The Coatesville Police Department Tips app can be downloaded online at the Google Play store, iTunes or by visiting the police department’s webpage at www.coatesville.org.

Citizens can also send an anonymous tip to the City of Coatesville Police Department by texting the keyword of COATESVILLE and their tip to 847411. Anonymous web tips can be submitted from the Police Department’s webpage at www.coatesville.org.

Follow Daily Local News staff writer Michael N. Price on Twitter @MikePriceWrites and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michaelnprice.

Police Briefs: Dec. 6, 2013

LYONS BOROUGH — A Boyertown man suffered minor injuries after a two-vehicle crash on Dec. 2 around 9:25 p.m., police said.
Floyd R. Lias, 43, was traveling west on West State St. in his 2005 Chevrolet Equinox while Kurt A. Reinert, 28, of Mertztown, was traveling east on West State St. in his 2008 Dodge Ram, police said.
According to police, Lias attempted to turn left into a driveway when the front end of his SUV was struck by Reinert’s truck.
Both Lias and Reinert told police they had a green turn arrow, however, no witnesses were around to corroborate the statements, police said.
Charges were not filed against either driver, police said, and both men were wearing their seat belts.

SOUTH COVENTRY — A Pottstown man was charged in connection with an act of harassment on Nov. 26, police said.
According to police, Daniel Lloyd Harrison. 34. was charged after police responded to a house in the 1100 block of Pottstown Pike around 9 p.m.
The victim told officers Harrison allegedly slapped her with an open hand pulled her hair, police said.

CHESTER COUNTY — Pennsylvania State Police said they arrested nine people for driving under the influence during a sobriety checkpoint on Nov. 29.
During the checkpoint, police stopped 135 drivers.
Along with the DUI arrests, police said they arrested one person for reckless endangerment and resisting arrest and one for underage drinking.
Police said 12 summary citations were written and nine warnings were issued.

HONEY BROOK — State police are investigating a burglary that occurred between Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. in the 2900 block of Cambridge Road.
Police said the 42-year-old victim reported an unknown number of suspects entered the house through the unlocked garage door and took a leaf blower.
The victim told officers the orange and white leaf blower cost $479, police said.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-486-6280.

EARL — Police are investigating a case of stolen identity.
According to police, Elizabeth Levan, 50, said her identity was used to open a credit card.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-378-4011.

LOWER POTTSGROVE — Township police arrested a man for driving under the influence after he was seen making an illegal turn, police said.
David Poley, 29, of Pottstown was seen making an illegal turn on red at the intersection of E. High Street and N. Pleasantview Road  on Nov. 16 around 11:11 p.m., police said.
Police are investigating the incident.

TRAPPE — Pennsylvania State Police charged a Pine Forge woman with driving under the influence on Nov. 14 around 11:20 p.m.
According to police, Rachel Amanda Lucas, 26, failed to complete field sobriety tests after a two-vehicle accident on Main Street and 7th Avenue. Lucas was taken into custody.

WORCESTER — A Pottstown couple was stopped for speeding and arrested for disorderly conduct and driving under the influence, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Joseph M. Alba, 56, and Catherine Kelly-Alba, 52, were stopped on Germantown Pike near Valley Forge Road on Nov. 17 around 1:36 a.m., police said.
During the traffic stop, officers asked Alba to step out of the car where he was placed under arrest for DUI, police said.
According to police, Kelly-Alba got out of the passenger seat and began to walk toward officers, demanding to know what was going on.
Kelly-Alba was told to stop by the officers on scene, police said. When she did not, she was arrested for disorderly conduct.

SKIPPACK — A Creamery man was charged with driving under the influence after police responded to a one-vehicle accident on Nov. 19 around 12:40 a.m.
Alec Robert Masic, 20, was charted with DUI and other related charges, according to court documents.

PERKIOMEN — Pennsylvania State Police are looking for an unknown number of suspects after a Schwenksville man reported items stolen from his unlocked car.
Police said a GPS unit and two coin banks were taken from the car on Woodland Avenue some time between Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 7 a.m.
Anyone with information should call state police at Skippack at 610-584-1250.

Stolen HVAC units could stall move-in for senior center

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

POTTSTOWN — After three HVAC units were stolen from the new Pottstown Area Senior Center, the proposed move-in date is now in doubt.

Brad Fuller, the executive director at the center, said the units were stolen some time between Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning from 288 Moser Road.

“The contractors discovered they were missing,” Fuller said.

As of right now, the center hopes to move its offices into the building on Dec. 20, but the stolen units were used to heat that portion of the building, Fuller said.

The center is currently using the Berean Bible Church as a temporary space during the transition from its old space at the YMCA at 724 N. Adams St.

“I don’t have an exact total at this point, but it could cost between $8,000 and $10,000,” Fuller said of the cost to replace the units. “It could be more.”

Fuller said the money used to replace the units would have to come from elsewhere in the budget.

The units were approximately 15 years old, but still worked very well, according to Fuller. He is worried the cost of new units will not be covered by the insurance claim.

Fuller said that filing an insurance claim may not be financially feasible considering how old the units were.

After he was notified the units were missing, Fuller said he contacted local scrap metal shops. Unfortunately, Fuller said he was told most units are broken down into pieces before being sold.

“They took the biggest part of the unit,” Fuller said, “They cut pipes and cut wiring. There is nothing left but cinder blocks.”

The contractor for the building told Fuller to put security fencing around the new units. Although Fuller agrees with the idea, he does not want to make the space feel too industrial. But Fuller said he cannot afford for the new units to be stolen as well.

“It is unfortunate and discouraging,” Fuller said about the incident.

A police report about the incident was not available as of Wednesday.

Teen charged with theft from vehicles

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

LIMERICK — Police arrested a Schwenksville man who allegedly admitted to stealing from cars in neighboring townships after his car was pulled over on Dec. 1.

Tyler Hartner, 18, was stopped by township police on Ridge Pike around 1:30 a.m. after officers noticed a taillight was out on his 2001 Volkswagen Jetta.

According to police, multiple car stereos were in plain sight in the back of Hartner’s car.

When officers asked Hartner allegedly gave consent to have his car searched, police said. During the search, police said they found multiple GPS units, a paint ball gun, weapons and alcohol.

Police did not say how long Hartner had been allegedly committing the crimes.

Hartner was charged with multiple counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft from a motor vehicle, and receiving stolen property, according to court paperwork.

Police said they are working with departments from Upper Providence, Collegeville and Trappe in order to return the stolen items to victims. Residents who have been burglarized are asked to contact their local departments, police said.

“We encourage residents to avoid giving burglars an opportunity,” said Lt. Brian Skelton. He said the stolen items were taken from unlocked cars.

Hartner was arraigned in front of District Judge Andrea Duffy on Dec. 1. He posted 10 percent of $10,000 bail on Dec. 4, according to court documents.

He is expected in Walter F. Gadzicki Jr.’s courtroom on Dec. 20 at 9 a.m.

Pottstown Week in Review: Nov. 23 - Nov. 29

Between Nov. 23 and Nov. 29, 30 crimes were reported in Pottstown. According to crimemapping.com, there were 76 reported crimes during the same seven days in October. 

• Arson: 0
• Assaults: 4
• Burglaries: 2 
• Disturbing the peace: 4
• Drug/Alcohol violation: 4
• DUI: 1
• Fraud: 1
• Homicide: 0 
• Motor vehicle theft: 3
• Robbery: 0
• Sex crimes: 0 
• Theft/Larceny: 4 
• Vandalism: 3
• Vehicle break-in: 4 
• Weapons crimes: 0  

Crime by type for Nov. 23 - Nov. 29

Crimes by day between Nov. 23 - Nov. 29.

 If you have any tips, comments or concerns, send them to Caroline Sweeney at casweeney@pottsmerc.com. 

Crime stats from the tri-county area: Nov. 17 - Nov. 22

Check below to see what has happened in your area over the last week.

Do you have a news tip or concern? Send an email to Caroline at casweeney@pottsmerc.com or give her a call at 610-970-4445.

AMITY reported three crimes between Nov. 15 and Nov. 22

FRAUD: 2
DISTURBING THE PEACE: 1  


BOYERTOWN reported four crimes between Nov. 15 and Nov. 22 

ASSAULT: 1
DRUGS/ALCOHOL VIOLATION: 2
VANDALISM: 1  


BIRDSBORO reported three crimes between Nov. 15 and Nov. 22 

ASSAULT: 1
DISTURBING THE PEACE: 1 
VANDALISM: 1 

Pottstown Week in Review: Nov. 15 - Nov. 22

Between Nov. 15 and Nov. 22, 33 crimes were reported in Pottstown. According to crimemapping.com, there were 44 reported crimes during the same seven days in October.

• Arson: 0
• Assaults: 3
• Burglaries: 4 
• Disturbing the peace: 3
• Drug/Alcohol violation: 2
• DUI: 1
• Fraud: 1
• Homicide: 0 
• Motor vehicle theft: 1
• Robbery: 1
• Sex crimes: 0 
• Theft/Larceny: 6 
• Vandalism: 8
• Vehicle break-in: 3 
• Weapons crimes: 0 

 

Crime by type for Nov. 15 - Nov. 22 

Crime by day for Nov. 15 - Nov. 22

 

 If you have any tips, comments or concerns, send them to Caroline Sweeney at casweeney@pottsmerc.com. 

Remember to check back tomorrow for stats from surrounding townships. 

Police Briefs: Nov. 20, 2013

EAST PIKELAND — Police responded to a non-injury crash around 4:20 p.m. on Nov. 18 in a parking lot in the 1000 block of Township Line Road.
According to police, Katrina Streeter, 47, of Pottstown, backed her car into another car, police said.
Streeter allegedly failed three field sobriety tests and police said the officer on scene could smell alcohol on her breath.
She was charged with driving under the influence.

POTTSTOWN — Borough police are planning a driving under the influence enforcement during the week of Nov. 18, police said.
The exact location of the enforcement was not disclosed, but anyone with questions should call police at 610-970-6570.

LOWER POTTSGROVE — Township police are investigating multiple vehicle break in incidents that occurred between Nov. 14 and Nov. 15.
Police said the cars were on Brookview Lane in Sunnybrook Village and all the cars appeared to be unlocked.
According to police, the only reported stolen item was an iPod.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-326-1508.

OLEY — A Boyertown man and his wife sustained minor injuries after his car was involved in a two-vehicle crash on Nov. 16, police said.
Joseph Diachynsky, 88, was driving his 2008 Buick Lacrosse south on Oysterdale Road when it was struck by a westbound Chevrolet Suburban.
The Suburban was driven by 53-year-old Caroline Hill, of, Sinking Spring, police said.
According to police, Diachynskys wife, Carolyn, 88, was in the passenger seat of the Buick.
All three people involved were wearing seat belts, police said.
Carolyn and Joesph Diachynsky were taken to the hospital via ambulance, police said.
Hill was cited with failure to obey traffic signals, police said.

OLEY — State Police are asking for help in finding one or more suspects involved in a residential burglary in October.
Police said an air compressor was stolen from a garage in the 300 block of Main Street between 11:15 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 10 a.m. on Oct. 29.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-378-4011.

HONEY BROOK — Police are investigating the theft of gas cans, air hoses and a drill from the 2600 block of Cambridge Road.
Pennsylvania State Police said the items were taken between 8 p.m. on Nov. 6 and 8 a.m. on Nov. 7.
Anyone with information should call police at 610-486-6280.

HONEY BROOK — Police charged one woman with harassment after they were called to the 200 block of Deer Run Drive on Nov. 7.
Sharon Lynne Crawford, 51, of Honey Brook, was cited after allegedly harassing a 45-year-old woman, police said.
Charges were filed in district court.

2 men charged after using BB gun in alleged robbery

By Caroline Sweeney
casweeney@pottsmerc.com 

POTTSTOWN — Two men were arrested after leading police on a foot chase through the borough. Police said the men allegedly robbed a man at the Americas Best Value Inn on Nov. 13.
Jahlil Basir Dupree, 22, of Boyertown and Edward Spence Jr., 18, of Pottstown, were charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault because they allegedly used a BB gun to steal approximately $40 and two bags of marijuana, police said.
According to police, Dupree and Spence were seen by patrol officers as they ran west on King Street around 1:30 p.m.
Police said Dupree was running with his right hand in his jacket pocket. The suspects continued running north on North Hanover Street then headed east on Chestnut Street, police said.
When officers followed Dupree, they saw him allegedly stop and drop something under a car in the 200 block of Chestnut Street, police said.
After tackling Dupree in the parking lot near Church Street, police apprehended Spence in the 200 block of Chestnut Street after the pursing office threatened to use his stun gun, police said.
During their investigation, police discovered Dupree discarded a BB gun with markings and coloring similar to a handgun.
The victim of the alleged robbery said Dupree and Spence approached him and pushed the BB gun that was concealed in a knit cap, into the victims torso, police said.
Police said the victim complied with the suspects requests so he would not get shot.
Dupree and Spencer were arraigned by District Judge Scott Palladino on Nov. 14, according to court paperwork. Both men are confined to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail. They are both scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 5.

East Pikeland Police, F.B.I. ask for help from public

The East Pikeland Police Department and the F.B.I. are asking for help from the public after a bank was robbed on Nov. 12.

The Wells Fargo Bank at 200 Schuylkill Road was robbed by three masked men around 11 a.m. that day, police said. The men, who were also wearing gloves and dark clothing, jumped the counter and took money from the tellers drawers before leaving through the back door, police said.

The three suspects were each armed with handguns, police said.

During their investigation, police believe the suspects are also connected to the robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank in Lower Merion Township on Nov. 4, police said. Three men entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 300 Levering Mill Road around 11 a.m. that Monday, wearing masks and armed with handguns. The suspects also jumped the counters, took money from the tellers and fled.

The suspects, according to police, should be considered armed and dangerous.

In a press release Monday, Police Chief James Franciscus said Wells Fargo is offering, "a substantial award for information leading to the arrest and conviction" of the suspects.

Anyone with information should call the F.B.I. at 610-353-4500 or the East Pikeland Police at 610-935-0606.

Car Seat Check: Berks County

Car seat checks will be available for three days near the end of the month, according to a release from the Pennsylvania State Police at Reading.

State police will be doing free car seat checks in conjunction with Click It or Ticket. 

• Thursday Nov. 21 - PSP Reading from Noon – 5 p.m.
• Saturday  Nov. 23 - PSP Reading from  8 – 11 a.m.
• Monday   Nov. 25 - PSP Hamburg from Noon – 3 p.m. 

 No appointment is necessary at any event. 

Crime stats from the tri-county area

The Pottstown Police department isn't the only department using crimemapping.com as a resource. Check below to see what has happened in your area. 

AMITY reported 11 crimes between Nov. 1 and Nov. 16 

Arson: 1

Assault: 3 

Burglary: 1 

DUI: 1 

Fraud: 1 

Theft/Larceny: 2 

Vandalism: 2 

BOYERTOWN reported 14 crimes between Nov 1. and Nov. 16 

Assault: 4 

Disturbing the peace: 2 

DUI: 2 

Fraud: 1 

Theft/Larceny: 1 

Vandalism: 4 

BIRDSBORO reported nine crimes between Nov 1. and Nov. 16 

Burglary: 1 

Theft/Larceny: 4 

Vandalism: 3 

Crimemapping.com: The interactive window into Pottstown crime

Instead of going to crimemapping.com, you can see the site right here. Every Friday morning, we will post a summary of the crimes that occurred during the week and you can see them on the interactive map.
 

From Nov. 7 through Nov. 14, 23 crimes were reported in the borough:

• Arson: 0
• Assaults: 2
• Burglaries: 5 
• Disturbing the peace: 4
• Drug/Alcohol violation: 1
• DUI: 0
• Fraud: 3
• Homicide: 0 
• Motor vehicle theft: 1
• Robbery: 2 
• Sex crimes: 0 
• Theft/Larceny: 2 
• Vandalism: 3
• Vehicle break-in: 0 
• Weapons crimes: 0 

For the first 14 days of the month, 66 crimes were reported which is down by more than half from the same time frame in October. During the first two weeks of last month, 140 crimes were reported around the borough, according to crimemapping.com.

Police Chief Richard Drumheller said the decrease in crime could be a result of directed patrols.

"We sent out patrols to look for the suspects in robberies and break-ins, and we were successful," he said.

Drumheller acknowledged that crime ebbs and flows and many factors are involved in a drastic rise or fall in crime.

Police search for three men after bank robbery in East Pikeland

Photo from video at the Wells Fargo Bank on Schuylkill Road in East Pikeland 

 EAST PIKELAND — Police are searching for three men who robbed the Wells Fargo Bank Tuesday morning.

Police said the mask-wearing men entered the bank at 200 Schuylkill Road around 11 a.m., each armed with a handgun.

The men, according to police, ordered employees and customers to get on the ground before jumping the counter and taking money from the teller windows.

Police did not say how much money was taken.

No one in the bank was injured, police said.

Despite the marked police cars in front of the bank, more than 10 customers tried to enter through the locked front doors.

One man even banged his fists against the glass trying to get the investigators attention.

Police said the Chester County Detectives and surrounding police departments responded to the scene.

The bank remained closed on Tuesday and police said it will likely reopen for regular business on Wednesday.

Crime mapping: An introduction

In conjunction with stories from print, the crime blog will feature information from Crime Mapping. We will use the graphs of crimes committed, an interactive map as well as tracking crime trends paired with interviews with police.

The interactive map feature for the blog is still being developed, but this screen shot is an example of what will be seen once the map is running. 

Each crime category has its own symbol which is used on the map. The website allows for crimes to searched by category and by date. 

The information is provided to the website by the Pottstown Police Department. After the data is plotted on the virtual map, the website generates graphs that are available and free to the public. 

Here are examples of the graphs provided by www.crimemapping.com for crimes committed in October 2013 around the borough: 

The pie chart generated by www.crimemapping.com shows what percentage each crime category was out of the 286 total crimes. 

Another graph created by www.crimemapping.com sections off how many of each type of crime was committed on each day of the week. 

If a crime did not occur, it does not get factored into the graphs for the selected time period. 

Interactive crime mapping tool beneficial for police, residents

POTTSTOWN — Mapping crime in Pottstown moved in the digital direction after Police Chief Richard Drumheller took over the department in the spring.
Now, instead of using thumbtacks and a paper map, the Pottstown Police Department is using www.crimemapping.com, to track crime and analyze trends in the borough.
The department pays for the services analysis and data but the interactive website can be viewed for free by the public.
“Quite frankly it provides a lot of information if you go on and look at it. It tells you what the date was, what the location was, what the crime was, what the time was and what the control number is,” Drumheller said about the information provided by the website.
When police officers write reports, the basic information is extracted by crimemapping.com and plotted on the virtual borough map.
The online tool is not just useful for the public, Drumheller said. The department started using the analysis they receive through their subscription to direct patrols to areas of town where they are needed.
Not only that, Drumheller said the website saved the department time.
“Believe it or not years ago - well not years ago, months ago - we used to data point (the crimes) and based on the information we had available we would make our own maps and plot the data,” Drumheller said.
He said crimemapping.com is also less labor intensive.
“It gives you a better visual clue of what is going on in the borough,” Drumheller said.
Crimes from homicide to driving under the influence and disturbing the peace are mapped. Each crime was assigned a colorful symbol by the website which makes finding particular crimes easy.
Not only are the crimes assigned symbols, but the free data can be broken down by date range, mile radius for specific points, and crime type.
Drumheller hopes the newly accessible information will pique the publics interest and spur a discussion with residents and police. He said investigations often benefit when residents help police.
“We don’t want to hide where crime happens in Pottstown. We want to let it be known,” Drumheller said. “We have crime like every other community and we share ours through the internet. We have no mysteries. We have no secrets, here it is.”