CHANGES ON THE HORIZON

When 2008 ends and 2009 begins tonight, West Chester Unplugged will be moving to a new URL and starting fresh. The new WC Unplugged (v.2.0) will be the same Unplugged you've become accustomed to, however, the site will be slightly more multi-media in that I'll be able to post photos and (assuming I can get used to the video camera feature on my Blackberry sometime before West Chester elects it's next mayor) even a few video clips.

The premise behind Unplugged will remain the same - the committment to expose the "knuckleheads and criminals of West Chester and Chester County" will remain the same, however, Unplugged will also, from time to time, branch out into other aspects of the place that we call West Chester.

To that end, as my work schedule precludes me from going to the Justice Center to cover trials, I will still be able to cover the occasional on-call sessions across the county with special attention to cases from West Chester, as has been the case at present.

Now, Unplugged will be able to reach on-call sessions previously under-covered due to a lack of adequate transportation (which is now resolved as I now own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid, thank you very much). So, for those in the Southern part of the county (brace yourself, Kennett and Oxford) and the great Northwest (that means you, Honey Brook and Elverson).

Additionally, Unplugged will also include occasional coverage of Borough Council meetings, the scoop (such as it is) on nightlife in the borough, and other issues that about our neighborhoods. Not to mention an occasional random thought or two that has nothing to do with crime, politics, and so forth.

As an added bonus, as a show of support to our volunteer fire companies across the county, Unplugged will make an effort to promote (and, possibly attend) many special events involving our area fire companies in 2009. That includes apparatus housings, station dedications, company anniversaries, and so forth (and, no, that does not include the routine weekly events such as bingo nights - sorry Westwood).

And, to make life a little easier, there will be a new URL to direct you to the site. As of January 1, 2009, the new home for WC Unplugged (v.2.0) will be:

http://www.wcunplugged.com

As you can tell, it's a much simpler address to remember compared to what we have currently. Again, the site will go live shortly after midnight (or a couple of hours depending on what time I crawl in from the New Year's Eve celebration).

I am also in the process of setting up a message board to complement the site. That will be launched sometime this month.

For those on the mailing list, I will attempt to ensure that you will continue to recieve email updates on a regular basis; it's just a matter of making a few tweaks to the account that manages the email list server, so if there are new posts that don't get through, please bear with me.

The original Unplugged will remain active as an archive page, however, there will be no new posts here. All new postings will be at www.wcunplugged.com. (If you try to click on the link before Thursday, you will more than likely get an error message; the site will be up and running sometime between 00:01 and 02:00 Thursday morning).

And I know I've been procrastingating about the Top 10 Knuckleheads of 2008 due to getting adjusted to the new technology that I've gotten in order to allow these upgrades to be possible. Ideally, I'd like to be able to post that article as the last posting at this site, but there's no guarantee that it will be possible. Worst case, it will be posted on the new site once it gets situated.

Again, thank you for all of your patronage and comments - good, bad, and ugly - over the past two years. I am looking forward to continuing Unplugged at my new home starting tomorrow...

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/30/08

WCPD is investigating a Christmas Eve robbery at a local pizza shop in which the victim was pistol whipped.

At around 20:00 on December 24, officers responded to the Culinary Deliveries pizza shop on the 300 block of West Gay Street. According to the victim, three black men wearing ski masks entered the store and, during the course of the robbery, struck an employee in the back of the head. The victim was transported to an area hospital. The suspects fled on foot with an unknown amount of money.

Anyone with further information regarding the robbery is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Louis DeShullo at (610) 696-2700…

Police made an interesting arrest a couple of weeks ago of a Texas man who was wanted on escape charges in the Pacific Northwest.

On December 19 at around 00:01, Ofc. Greg Cugino initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle on the 50 block of West Gay Street. The driver, Christopher Walters, 30, of the 300 block of Turley Drive, Tyler, Tx., was found to have a fugitive warrant out of Washington State on an escape charge.

Walters was taken into custody and was committed to CCP to await extradition back to Washington State…

A West End man faces theft charges after he allegedly drove his car off of an impound lot in East Bradford.

At 23:49 on December 18, Ofc. Stuart Smith responded to West End towing on the 700 block of Downingtown for a report of a man who had jumped the fence and drove his impounded vehicle through a closed gate without paying the impound fees. The suspect, Padraick O’Neill, of the 200 block of West Biddle Street, West Chester, surrendered to police a few days later and was charged with Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Defiant Trespassing.

O’Neill was released on summons pending a preliminary hearing in Downingtown District Court…

Coatesville Police responding to a suspected domestic ended up arresting two city men on drug delivery charges.

At 16:15 on Saturday, Coatesville police responded to the 700 block of East Lincoln Highway for a reported domestic in progress. Upon arrival, officers found one of the suspects sitting on a bed with several multi-colored baggies containing suspected cocaine and a white plate on the floor also containing suspected cocaine.

One of the suspects, Raymond Lyons III, 24, of the 100 block of Governor’s Way, Coatesville, was alleged to have been in possession of both marijuana and a small .25-caliber firearm. The gun was reportedly found at Lyons’ right ankle and tucked into his long johns. It was reported that the serial number was filed off of the gun, which had one round in the chamber and 5 rounds in the clip. Lyons was found not to have a valid firearms license.

During the investigation, Boston Peoples, Jr., 53, of the 200 block of East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, was also found to have been in possession of a crack pipe which was alleged to have been found in his left front jacket pocket. A second suspected crack pipe was found on the arm of a chair in which Peoples was alleged to have been sitting in.

Lyons was charged with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphanalia, Persons Not to Possess Firearms, and Delivery of a Firearm to a Person Under Age 18. He was committed to CCP after failing to post $100,000 cash bail (15-1-03, CR-0000329-08).

Peoples was charged with PWID and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was committed to CCP in lieu of $10,000 cash bail (15-1-03, CR-0000330-08).

Prelims for both men are scheduled for next Wednesday in Coatesville District Court…

And finally, a Downingtown man faces drug delivery charges after a traffic stop in East Caln.

At 03:04 on Saturday morning, Tprs. Michael Hodgskin and Brandon Corby of the State Police Embreeville Station were on patrol on the Route 30 Bypass near the PA 100 interchange when they spotted a silver Honda Civic, allegedly driven by Daniel Andrew Koman, 21, of the 600 block of Norwood House Road, Downingtown, driving at a high rate of speed and driving erratically.

The vehicle was pulled over as it exited the bypass at the Lancaster Avenue interchange in East Caln. Koman was detained after it was determined that he had an active traffic warrant out of Lionville District Court. In a search incident to arrest, Koman was alleged to have been in possession of a large quantity of suspected Ecstacy pills along with a small container attacked to a chain. At least 53 orange pills were found in plain view within Koman’s Civic.

After being transported back to the station, Koman reportedly told the troopers that he and two female acquaintances were at the Pinnacle night club on the 700 block of Arch Street in Center City Philadelphia. Koman reportedly admitted that he had been selling pills of Ecstacy at Pinnacle on four separate occasions.

Koman stated that he had met up with a man known to him as “Spikes”, whom he paid an unknown amount for pills to be sold at the club that night for $15-to-20 per pill. After settling up at the end of the night, Koman would take the pills back to Chester County and sell them to friends.

Koman was charged with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1543-A, and three counts of Failure to Use Turn Signals. He was arraigned that morning and committed to CCP in lieu of $25,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Monday in Downingtown District Court (15-2-06, CR-0000642-08).

WAS IT GOOD FOR YOU?

An East Goshen man who is no stranger to the courts faces a new set of charges after he allegedly used information garnered from a WCU department in order to purchase internet porn.

On March 4, Sgt. Matthew Paris of the WCU Police made contact with the Director of Student Services, Inc., the group that supervises all campus based organizations after their bank account through First National Bank of Chester County showed two unauthorized debit transactions. The first incidence occured on January 18, the second on February 20. Both payments were in the amount of $29.95 and were used to purchase a subscription to an unknown internet pornography web site.

The login and password that was reportedly used belonged to the Director of Greek Life Affairs. During the course of the investigation, that person told Sgt. Paris that several fraternities and sororities were placed on suspension on January 14 due to academic issues.

Through Comcast records, the transactions were placed through a computer which was traced to an address on the 1800 block of Valley Road in East Goshen. During a preliminary search of the location, two checks were drawn to an enterprise known as "Thommy Live Entertainment," managed by a Thompson George Smith.

On March 11, Smith was interviewed by Sgt. Paris at the WCU Police station. Smith reportedly told Sgt. Paris that he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, one of the frats which was placed on academic probation. He also stated that he had recieved 4-to-5 checks from SSI as payment for various DJ services.

Smith said that he had moved into the Valley Road location in January, but claimed that he was not own a computer or use the internet, and that it was "just there when me moved into the address," according to the criminal complaint.

On March 18, Assistant District Attorney Bonnie Cox-Shaw authorized an application for a search warrant, which was approved by East Goshen District Judge Chet Darlington. During the search, police confiscated a cell phone, Comcast-related paperwork, items with the name of Smith's girlfriend, an HP computer, several checks written to the WCU Parking Services office, and transvestite pornographic materials.

The following day, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Ost-Prisco authorized an application for a court order to review records from Comcast. That order was approved by Common Pleas Judge William Mahon. Those records showed that "thommylive" was an ID associated with a Comcast residential internet service which was registered to his girlfriend.

On November 7, Det. Roy Calarese of the Chester County Detectives completed a forensic examination of the computer siezed from East Goshen in March. Information on the computer reportedly linked Smith to the suspected access device fraud against the university.

On November 26, Sgt. Paris filed charges of Identity Theft, Access Device Fraud, Theft by Deception, and False Swearing in West Goshen District Court. On Saturday, Smith was arraigned yesterday by Pottstown District Judge James D'Angelo and was released after posting 10 percent of $5,000. A prelim is scheduled for January 8, 2009 in front of West Goshen District Judge William Kraut (15-2-03, CR-0000326-08).

On August 4, Smith was placed on 5 years probation relating to two separate incidents in West Goshen. Smith pled guilty to a felony charge of Forgery after he passed $3,535.47 in bad checks on a Commerce Bank account (CP-15-CR-0000826-2008) and to a second felony Forgery charge after passing $2,035 in bad checks at the United Check Cashing branch on West Chester Pike (CP-15-CR-0000827-2008).

Here's hoping that Smith's primal urges were worth the latest round of criminal charges that he now faces.

And, yes, that makes him a potential candidate for Knucklehead of the Year, albeit late in the game...

WORKING FIRE IN GOSHEN

Firefighters quickly knocked down a bedroom fire in West Goshen earlier this afternoon.

At around 13:15, the Good Will and Fame fire companies along with GFAC responded to a home on Thomas Avenue for a report of a bedroom fire. Shortly after arriving, the working fire dispatch was struck, adding the Wessies, an engine from Goshen Fire Company, and Medic 91. The fire was contained to a bedroom on the 2nd floor of the single-family residence and knocked down within 10 minutes.

No injuries were reported to residents or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

UPDATE ON VALLEY STABBING

A man is in custody at this hour after a double stabbing in Valley early this morning.

According to Valley Police Chief Joseph Friel, officers from Valley and Coatesville responded to a residence on the 50 block of Irish Dr in the Rock Run section of the township at around 03:15 for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located two victims, both of whom were stabbed. One victim was stabbed multiple times in the face, the other was stabbed in the arm.

The victims were transported to area trauma centers with injuries described by Chief Friel as “life threatening, but not fatal.”

Within the past half hour, the suspect was brought to Pottstown District Court in South Coventry for arraignment by District Judge James D'Angelo. Further details about a motive are not known at this time, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The name of the suspect is being withheld pending arraignment.

This is the second major violent incident in Valley in the past couple of months. A Valley man remains in custody on attempted murder and related charges following a domestic-related shooting in the 600 block of West Lincoln Highway.

More details about the suspect will be posted once that information becomes available.

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN COATESVILLE SHOOTING

An Coatesville man is in prison awaiting a preliminary hearing following his arrest for his alleged role in one of the recent shootings in the city this past month.

Terrance Maurice Maxie, Jr., 18, was arrested on Monday by Coatesville Police on attempted murder and related charges according to a complaint filed by Det. Martin Quinn. Maxie is accused of shooting a 27 year old city man at around 12:00 on December 19 at the victim's home on the 500 block of Olive Street. The victim was taken to an area hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Maxie is charged with Criminal Attempt/Criminal Homicide, Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, Possession of an Insturment of Crime, and Possession of a Firearm Without a License. Maxie was arraigned on Monday by West Chester District Judge Mark Bruno and committed to CCP in lieu of $1,000,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2009 in Coatesville District Court (15-1-03, CR-0000325-08).

DOUBLE STABBING IN VALLEY

Two people were stabbed earlier this morning at a residence in Valley.

At around 03:15, Valley and Coatesville police responded to a residence on the 50 block of Irish Lane in the Rock Run section of the township for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers reported one victim with multiple stab wounds to the face and a second victim with stab wounds to the arm. Medevac had been requested, however was unavailable due to the fog that seems to have been lingering since late Friday night.

There isn't a lot of information available about this incident, neither regarding the victims nor any possible suspects. Valley Police remain on scene investigating the incident, with officers searching both the residence where the stabbings are alleged to have occured and an adjacent parking lot.

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/26/08

A Tredyffrin police officer will be sworn in on Monday as the new Magesterial District Judge for Easttown along with the central and eastern precincts of Tredyffrin.


Officer Thomas Tartaglio will be sworn in as the new judge at District Court 15-1-02 in Devon at 11:00 on Monday, though I haven't been able to confirm whether the ceremony will be at the Justice Center or at Devon District Court. Tartaglio will replace John Anthony, who moved out of the district last spring and is now a Senior District Judge who will be presiding over Thorndale District Court upon Jim Charley's retirement.


Ofc. Tartaglio had spent a portion of his career in the Tredyffrin Police Department as a bike officer patrolling the township parks, going so far as to serve as the police liasion to the Tredyffrin Parks and Recreation Board for at least the past seven years.


In addition to Senior Judge Anthony, former Coatesville District Judge Robert Davis will continue to preside over his district court as a Senior District Judge while a Senior Magesterial District Judge from Montgomery County will be assigned to cover the Avondale District Court...

And now, a couple of stories from the Coatesville area which don't exactly embody the Christmas spirit.

Starting in Caln, a woman is accused of bringing her son to a Thorndale department store and stealing merchandise on Christmas eve.

On Wednesday at around 13:45, Brandy Lee Lewis, 35, of the 700 block of Merchant Street, Coatesville, Ofc. Jason Fleming of the Caln Police responded to the Kohl's department store on the 3400 block of East Lincoln Highway for a reported theft.

The loss prevention officer told police that a woman, alleged to have been Lewis, was stopped as she and her 15 year old son were reportedly observed taking possession of $566.97 in merchandise without paying for same. As Lewis reportedly took the items and concealed it in a bag, the juvenile reportedly carried the bag out of the store.

Let's just say that this is not what Norman Rockwell had in mind when he viewed Christmas as a special times for families.

Lewis has a 2007 conviction for Retail Theft stemming from a December 16, 2006 incident investigated by Ofc. Nathan Miller of the Caln Police. On September 5, 2007, Lewis pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of Retail Theft and was placed on 1 year probation (CP-15-CR-0000300-2007).

Lewis also has a prior Bad Checks charge stemming from a 2005 investigation by West Sadsbury Police. On February 13, 2006, Lewis pled guilty to a misdemeanor Bad Checks charge in front of Common Pleas Judge Phyllis Streitel and was placed on 1 year probation (CP-15-CR-0005965-2005).

Lewis was charged with Corrupting the Morals of a Child and Retail Theft. She was arraigned by West Goshen District Judge William Kraut on Christmas Day and was committed to CCP in lieu of $2,500 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Monday at Thorndale District Court (15-4-02, CR-0000337-08).

A Coatesville man is spending some quality time at the Pocopson Hilton after he was arrested for allegedly threatening a female acquaintance in the city's West End early Christmas morning.

At around 06:56 on Christmas morning, Ofc. Jeffrey Ingemie of the Coatesville Police observed a verbal domestic in progress at the intersection of West Lincoln Highway and Strode Avenue. Ofc. Ingemie observed a man, alleged to have been Idris Rasheen Grove, 26, of the 50 block of South 6th Avenue, Coatesville, yelling at a female.

Grove allegedly threatened to "put a bullet in that bitch's head" and reportedly said that he had "wish[ed] (he) did come strapped up here," implying that he was carrying a gun.

Grove is currently on state parole following a year in which he clearly would've been a candidate for Knucklehead of the Year had Unplugged existed back in 2004:

March 21, 2004: Ofc. Keith Cowdright of the Coatesville Police investigates an assault in which Grove is a suspect (CP-15-CR-0002420-2004).
March 26, 2004: Det. Chris McEvoy arrests Grove on an unrelated case in which Grove is charged with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphanalia, and Tampering with Evidence (CP-15-CR-0003716-2004).
June 29, 2004: Ofc. Cowdright investigates allegations of witness tampering against Grove. Grove is later charged with three counts of Witness Intimidation and one count of Obstruction of the Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function (CP-15-CR-0004404-2004).
July 18, 2004: Det. Martin Quinn of the Coatesville Police charges Grove with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia (CP-15-CR-0004840-2004). On the same day, Ofc. Kevin McGuigan charges Grove with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia (CP-15-CR-0004841-2004).
November 10, 2004: Grove pleads guilty to two PWID counts and to one count of Terroristic Threats and one count of Witness Intimidation in front of Common Pleas Court Judge John Hall. Grove is sentenced to 3-to-10 years in state prison.

Grove was charged with Terroristic Threats, Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct. He was also arraigned Thursday by Judge Kraut and committed to CCP in lieu of $10,000 cash bail along with a state parole detainer. A prelim in that case is scheduled for Monday in front of Valley District Judge Grover Koon (15-1-05, CR-0000249-08).

What heartwarming stories, huh?

COATESVILLE OFFICER ASSAULTED

A Coatesville teen is in custody this Christmas Day after allegedly assaulting a city police officer during an accident investigation.

At around 19:53 last night, Ofcs. Shannon Miller and Carlos McKinnie responded to the 700 block of Merchant Street for a report of a property damage accident. The victim reported to police that his parked vehicle had been struck by a red Hyundai, allegedly driven by James Byrd, 18, of the 500 block of East Chestnut Street, Coatesville.

One of the subjects had reportedly driven the car away from the scene while Byrd and a second subject were at the corner of North 7th Avenue and Merchant Street. Ofc. Miller smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Byrd, according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause.

After the victim positively identified Byrd as the suspected driver of the striking vehicle, Byrd was escorted towards the back of the damaged vehicle. As Ofc. Miller was holding on to Byrd's right arm, "Byrd pulled out of his jacket and fled on foot southbound on 7th Avenue."

Ofc. McKinnie located Byrd on the 700 block of Lumber Street, then "commanded Byrd to stop running, to which he did not comply. Ofc. McKinnie caught up to Byrd on foot and grabbed him, at which time Byrd turned around swinging with both fists," according to the complaint. Byrd "was eventually taken to the ground where "he continued to swing his fists and kick his feet."

After getting back up and being taken to the ground a second time, Byrd was finally arrested after complying with repeated commands to place his hands behind his head. After being read his Miranda rights, Byrd admitted to Ofc. Miller that he had been driving and had backed into a parked vehicle. During the altercation, Ofc. McKinnie injured his right shoulder.

Byrd was charged with Aggravated Assault, Resisiting Arrest, DUI, Underage Drinking, and Drivers Required to be Licensed. He was arraigned this morning by West Goshen District Judge William Kraut and was committed to CCP in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in front of Coatesville District Judge Robert Davis (15-1-03, CR-0000328-08).

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/24/08

Coatesville Police are investigating an ususual incident in which a person was reportedly shot while driving and drove into the front of a house. At around 06:00 this morning, Coatesville Police and the Coatesville Bureau of Fire responded to the 200 block of Fleetwood Street for a report of a vehicle into a house. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim had been shot, though the circumstances are not known as of this posting. The victim's injuries are not immediately known, however, they are not believed to be life threatening.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to call Coatesville Police at (610) 384-2300...

WCPD arrested a Delaware County man after he allegedly assaulted a man in the East End, only to be out on the streets thanks to yet another questionable bail decision.

Spencer Weber, 20, of Clifton Hieghts, Delaware County, allegedly assaulted his victim on South Walnut Street. As a result of the attack, the victim suffered a broken arm.

Weber was charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, and Harassment. The Aggravated Assault charge is graded as a 1st Degree Felony, which should mean that Weber would be spending the holidays at the Pocopson Hilton.

Except for the simple fact that this happened in the jurisdiction of the one District Judge within the confines of Chester County who doesn't seem to have a clue regaring protecting the community and is coupled by the fact that the Chester County Bail Agency once again has to be questioned for it's ridiculous recommendation regarding bail.

Weber was arraigned yesterday morning and released from custody after being allowed to post only $250 cash bail.

Yes, you read that correctly, $250 cash bail. And that's for allegedly breaking a guy's arm. And you wonder why my cynicism about certain aspects of the court system is very evident. That, coupled with a recent bail decision in which an accused domestic batterer was allowed to be released on a relatively low bail considering he was believed to have been under State Parole supervision, and one has to wonder what is going on down at Union Street.

In any case, Weber's prelim is scheduled for next Friday at 15-1-04. (15-1-04; CR-0000430-08)...

And, finally, Unplugged wishes all of it's loyal readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Here's hoping that the rest of your holiday season isn't quite as wild as it was last night.

BLOCK FROM HELL NETS 5 ARRESTS

So much for the Christmas Spirit, at least on the 100 block of West Gay Street early this morning.

At around 01:15, Ofc. Aaron Davis responded to Ryan’s Pub for a report of a disturbance. During the course of the incident, one white male subject who was about to be taken into custody ran from Ofc. Davis and got tazered for his problems. That subject, who was reportedly involved in an altercation at Ryan’s, was taken into custody.

Just a few minutes after officers were clearing Ryan’s, a fight broke out in front of Jitter’s Sports Bar, which actually used to be a reasonably classy place before the entire block – thanks to Ryan’s, Jitters, and Landmark, became the “block from Hell” in Uptown – where a second subject received a tazer shot and three others were taken into custody after a fight that reportedly began inside Jitters spilled outside.

West Goshen Police responded to assist and to transport two of the fools from Jitters into custody.

So, if you’re keeping score at home, that’s two tazings and five taken into custody in a matter of minutes in a single block.

And all of this happened on a night when the sidewalks were virtual skating rinks. While walking along High Street near Market, I personally saw at least four people slip and fall on the untreated sidewalks. Neither Public Works nor PennDOT were exactly out in force trying to clear the roads until very early this morning.

Merry Christmas, indeed…

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/21/08

Police are investigating a report of shots fired in the East End early this morning. Details are minimal at this early stage, however, shortly after bars let out, WCPD responded to a report of shots fired in the 200 block of East Market Street. Preliminary indications are that nobody was struck or otherwise injured. Anyone who witnessed this incident or knows further information about it is asked to call WCPD at (610) 696-2700...

Another violent crime hit Coatesville this morning. At around 09:45, Coatesville Police responded to a store on the 100 block of East Chestnut Street for a report of point-of-gun robbery. It's not known what was taken nor is there any word regarding possible suspects. Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to call Coatesville Police at (610) 384-2300...

A Caln man accused of a domestic assault is now wanted after failing to appear for his preliminary hearing in District Court. Myron Darnell Oliphant, 30, of the 100 block of Glen Ridge Road, was arrested after the December 4 incident.

At around 09:14, Ofc. John DiBattista responded to the 100 block of East Chestnut Street for a report of a physical domestic disturbance. The victim suffered minor injuries to her face and arms after Oliphant allegedly struck her. Oliphant was arrested at the scene and charged with False Imprisonment, Simple Assault, and Harassment. He was released later that day after posting 10 percent of $10,000 bail (and you know if this attack happened a couple blocks west of where it actually occured, there would be no 10 percent - Judge Bruno would see to that, unlike his counterpart on East Union Street).

To the surprise of very few, Oliphant failed to appear for his prelim on December 12 and was ordered held for trial in Common Pleas Court on all charges following a hearing in absentia. Bail in the case was forfeited, with a bench warrant pending by Common Pleas Court (CP-15-CR-0004820-2008).

Given Oliphant's past record, his failure to appear may not really be that surprising at all:

• October 26, 1996: Ofc. Mark Harootunian of the Downingtown Police charges Oliphant with Aggravated Assault, Riot, Simple Assault, REAP, Stalking, Defiant Trespassing, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia (CP-15-CR-000.
• January 16, 1997: Upper Uwchlan police charge Oliphant and a co-defendant with Burglary, Criminal Trespassing, and TBUT (CP-15-CR-0000401-1997).
• January 23, 1997: Oliphant is arrested and committed to CCP in lieu of 10 percent of $5,000 bail, which is posted the next day.
• August 20, 1997: Oliphant pleads guilty to one count of misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct for the Downingtown case and to one count of Burglary in the Upper Uwchlan case in front of Judge Paula Francisco Ott. Oliphant is sentenced to 8-to-23 months in CCP plus an aggragate term of 5 years concurrent probation on both cases.
• August 22, 1997: Oliphant surrenders to CCP to start his sentence.
• March 13, 1998: Common Pleas Judge James P. MacElree II grants parole for Oliphant.
• April 15, 2000: Ofc. Howard Holland of the Downingtown Police cites Oliphant for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia (CP-15-CR-0004072-2000).
• December 12, 2000: Oliphant pleads guilty to Possession of Marijuana in front of President Judge Howard F. Riley, Jr. and is sentenced to 30 days probation plus a $300 fine.
• February 20, 2001: Ofc. Holland charges Oliphant with misdemeanor charges of Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, and Resisting Arrest. Oliphant is released on summons (CP-15-CR-0003435-2001).
• June 25, 2001: After failing to appear for his preliminary hearing, Downingtown District Judge Rita Arnold issues a bench warrant for Oliphant's arrest.
• August 3, 2001: Tpr. Timothy Iswalt of the State Police/Embreeville station conducts a traffic stop in West Bradford after Oliphant was reportedly clocked at 48 mph in a 35 mph zone. During the traffic stop, Oliphant provides a false name and is eventually cited on traffic offenses.
• November 13, 2001: Tpr. Iswalt files charges of Identity Theft, Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement, Driving Without a License, Speeding, and 1543-A in Downingtown District Court (CP-15-CR-0005330-2001).
• August 16, 2001: Judge Arnold declares Oliphant a fugitive, and the case is sent to Common Pleas Court.
• December 6, 2001: Oliphant is taken into custody on both the fugitive and criminal warrants and is committed to CCP in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.
• December 10, 2001: Identity Theft charges against Oliphant are withdrawn in exchange for a waiver of a preliminary hearing on the remaining counts stemming from the West Bradford traffic stop.
• February 8, 2002: Oliphant pleads guilty to misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct charges in the Downingtown case and to False Identification to Law Enforcement on the West Bradford case. Common Pleas Judge William Mahon sentences Oliphant to concurrent terms of 65 days to 6 months in CCP.
• June 12, 2002: Ofc. John Faul of the Caln Police charges Oliphant with Simple Assault, Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend during a domestic dispute. Oliphant is arraigned that night and committed to CCP in lieu of $2,500 cash bail (CP-15-CR-0005432-2002).
• June 24, 2002: Thorndale District Judge Jim Charley modifies Oliphant's bail to $2,500 unsecured after the defendants signs off on a summary agreement.
• November 4, 2002: Judge Charley waives Oliphant's case to Common Pleas Court after failing to comply with the summary agreement.
• January 8, 2003: Oliphant pleads guilty to Simple Assault in front of Common Pleas Judge Thomas Gavin and is sentenced to 12 days to 23 months at CCP.
• January 8, 2004: Ofc. John Curran of the West Whiteland Police charges Oliphant with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Defiant Trespassing after he assaults his girlfriend - the same victim from the June 2002 incident in Caln. Oliphant is arraigned by Valley District Judge Grover Koon (during been Judge Koon's first on-call session following his election to the then newly-created court in the previous November) and is committed to CCP in lieu of $25,000 cash (CP-15-CR-0000153-2004).
• January 13, 2004: At his preliminary hearing in front of Exton District Judge Larry Smith, Oliphant is ordered held for trial on the Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Terroristic Threats charges; the Trespassing charge is dismissed. Judge Smith modifies bail to 10 percent of $25,000 which is not posted.
• May 24, 2004: Oliphant enters a no contest plea to Aggravated Assault as a 1st degree felony in front of Common Pleas Judge John Hall. Judge Hall sentences Oliphant to 2 1/2-to-5 years in state prison. As part of the order, Judge Hall puts Oliphant on notice that "he has convictions which are considered 1st and 2nd strikes ... [and] if in the future, [Oliphant] is convicted of a crime of violence, he is facing mandatory prison time of 25 years and could face life imprisonment." (Recall that the first "strike" under Pennsylvania law was the burglary conviction stemming from the August 1997 incident in Upper Uwchlan.) In an interesting twinge of irony, Christian Hoey, who represented Oliphant on the West Whiteland case, was listed as the ADA assigned to Oliphant's first arrest in 1996 before the case was re-assigned to another ADA.
  February 23, 2007: Oliphant is apparently released from SCI Greene (this is the most recent date posted from reading on-line records as far as "confinement information" is concerned).
• December 4, 2008: Ofc. DiBattista arrests Oliphant on domestic violence charges - Simple Assault, Unlawful Restriant, and Harassment. Oliphant is released after only posting 10 percent of $10,000.
• December 12, 2008: Oliphant is held on all counts following a hearing in absentia; bail is forfeited with a bench warrant pending in Common Pleas Court.

Not only are police searching for Oliphant after failing to appear for his prelim, but I have a pretty good suspicion that the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole is also searching for this accused (and previously convicted) domestic batterer. Anyone with information regarding Oliphant's whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 or Chester County Police Radio at (610) 383-7000. Considering Oliphant's past history, he should be presumed dangerous...

A man faces assault charges after an overnight disturbance that occured last weekend.

On December 14 at around 03:05, Cpl. Tom Gotthold responded to the 700 block of South Franklin Street in the borough's Riggtown section for a report of a subject with a gun. Cpl. Gotthold made contact with three of the victims near the scene. The victims told police that a man, alleged to have been John R. Fossett, 20, was involved in a physical disturbance inside Fossett's residence.

As the victims left the property, Fossett reportedly approached a second story window and pointed a rifle in the direction of the three victims while making threatening remarks. After a search of the property, the suspected weapon was located and Fossett was taken into custody.

Fossett was arraigned early Sunday morning by Lionville District Judge Stanley Scott and released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bail. Fossett's next court date is scheduled for January 2, 2009 at 15-1-04. As it presently stands, Fossett is only being charged with Simple Assault, though one would suspect that a few more charges could be added (15-1-04, CR-0000426-08)...

And, finally, a Montgomery County man who attempted to sell a fake gold necklace faces charges after being caught in the act by police.

On during the morning of December 9, Ofc. Jeff Gallo responded to Big Jewelers on the 50 block of West Gay Street for a report of a male, alleged to have been Phillip Edward Harris, 32, of the 100 block of Chestnut Street, Pottstown, Montgomery County, attempting to sell a gold necklace that was later determined to have been fake. Ofc. Gallo walked in on the alleged theft as it was occurring and took Harris into custody.

Harris was taken to Coatesville District Judge Robert Davis for arraignment later that night and was released on $5,000 unsecured bail. Harris' next court date is scheduled for January 6, 2009 in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000346-08).

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/20/08

A Berks County man with an extensive and often violent criminal history is spending the holidays at the Pocopson Hilton after his latest arrest on assault and related charges last weekend.

William James Bradley, Jr., 38, of Reading, was charged with Criminal Trespassing and two counts of Simple Assault after an incident on the early morning hours of December 11.

Bradley is quite familiar to police, to say the very least:

• September 26, 1990: Bradley is arrested by WCPD and charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief, and Harassment.
• February 5, 1991: Bradley pleads guilty to Simple Assault in front of Common Pleas Judge Thomas Gavin and is sentenced to 132 days to 23 months at CCP (CP-15-CR-0003675-1990).
• May 15, 1992: Bradley is arrested by Ofc. Tom Gotthold and charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Terroristic Threats, REAP, and Criminal Trespassing.
• October 27, 1992: Bradley pleads guilty to Criminal Trespassing in front of Common Pleas Judge Lawrence Wood and is sentenced to 13 days to 12 months at CCP (CP-15-CR-0002000-1992).
• December 30, 1992: Bradley is arrested by Ofc. Jeffrey Ditz and charged with Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats, Criminal Trespassing, Escape, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Mischief.
• March 23, 1993: Bradley pleads guilty to Aggravated Assault and Criminal Mischief in front of Common Pleas Court Judge Howard F. Riley, Jr. and is sentenced to 8-to-23 months at CCP plus 2 years probation consecutive to parole (CP-15-CR-0000206-1993).
• January 31, 1994: Bradley is arrested by Ofc. Louis DeShullo and charged with Simple Assault and Terroristic Threats following an incident that occured on January 18 (CP-15-CR-0000304-1994). On that same day, Bradley is charged with Criminal Trespassing in relation to a separate incident (CP-15-CR-0000942-1994).
• February 21, 1994: While awaiting trial on those charges, Bradley is arrested by Chester County Detectives and charged with Simple Assault for an incident at Chester County Prison (CP-15-CR-0001317-1994).
• May 25, 1994: Bradley pleads guilty to a lesser charge of Defiant Trespassing relating to the Janbuary 31 arrest in front of Common Pleas Judge Robert Shenkin and is sentenced to 4-to-12 months at CCP.
• September 15, 1994: Bradley pleads guilty to Simple Assault relating to the January 18 incident in West Chester and to a summary count of Harassment relating to the prison assault. Judge Shenkin sentences Bradley to 228 days to 23 months at CCP on the assault charge and to 90 days concurrent probation on the harassment charge.
• November 14, 1994: Ofc. Gotthold arrests Bradley on charges of Burglary, Criminal Trespassing, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, and Stalking (CP-15-CR-0003877-1994). Bradley was subsequently charged with Criminal Trespassing relating to an October 11, 1994 incident investigated by Ofc. Ditz (CP-15-CR-0004279-1994).
• March 9, 1995: Judge Wood sentences Bradley to concurrent sentences of 115 days to 23 months at CCP after Bradley pleads guilty to separate counts of Criminal Trespassing.
• June 30, 1999: Police in Chester City, Delaware County, file charges of Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Probable Cause/Domestic Violence. The final diposition of this case is not known, based on review of on-line records (32-1-22, CR-0000346-99).
• February 3, 2000: Cpl. DeShullo arrests Bradley on charges of Criminal Trespassing, Terrorist Threats, and Harassment afer an apparent domestic assault involving his then-girlfriend.
• June 27, 2000: Bradley pleads guilty to one count of Terroristic Threats in front of Common Pleas Judge William Mahon and is sentenced to 8-to-23 months at CCP (CP-15-CR-0000597-2000).
• January 1, 2001: Shortly after the turn of the New Year in 2001, Bethlehem City police respond to an incident in the northern end of the city (Lehigh County*) in which Bradley is charged with Aggravated Assault after the same victim in the 2000 West Chester assault was attacked.
• April 5, 2001: Bradley pleads guilty to one count of Aggravated Assault; Lehigh County Common Pleas Judge William H. Platt sentenced Bradley to 4-to-10 years in state prison (CP-39-CR-0000117-2001).
• June 6, 2001: After his Lehigh County conviction, Bradley was found in violation of his various parole cases in Chester County; Common Pleas Judge Jacqueline Carroll Cody sentenced Bradley to the balance of his maximum sentence on the 2000 assault - 22 months, 22 days - to run consecutive to the Lehigh County sentence.
• January 31, 2006: Bradley was paroled from state prison, with his state parole supverision transferred to Chester County supervision on August 27, 2007.
• December 11, 2008: Cpl. Pam Baumann arrests Bradley on charges of Criminal Trespassing and Simple Assault.

I'd guess it's safe to say that someone has some anger management issues, eh?

Bradley was committed to CCP in lieu of $7,500 cash bail, plus (presumably) a detainer filed by the state parole board. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 16, 2009 at 15-1-04 (15-1-04, CR-0000425-08)...

To say that Omar N. Badawi is a menace to society would be a significant understatement. This past week, police in Delaware County charged Badawi with attempted murder and related offenses according to the Delaware County Daily Times.

At around 07:05 Monday morning, Upper Chichester Police responded to a home on the 1300 block of McCay Avenue in the Boothwyn section of the township. Upon arrival, police found a man who had been stabbed multiple times in the face and back, allegedly by Badawi. Badawi then reportedly fled the scene on foot, with police apprehending the suspect as he dodged through traffic along busy Chichester Avenue.

Badawi faces charges of Criminal Attempt/Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, Possession of an Instrument of Crime, Resisting Arrest, Harassment, and Criminal Mischief. Badawi was committed to the Delaware County Prison in lieu of $500,000 cash bail, and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 6, 2009 in Marcus Hook District Court (32-1-36, CR-0000659-08).

Unplugged readers are probably familiar with Badawi's numerous run-in's with police in Chester County, particulary with a highly controversial "compliance" with a summary agreement at 15-1-04 last year.

Or, perhaps it was the robbery in Downingtown's West Ward, to which Badawi and a co-defendant eventually pled guilty to lesser charges and sentenced to probation and the way in which Badawi was caught in the first place.

I can guarantee that there'll be more comments about this later this week. If I didn't have to be in Center City within the next couple of hours, I'd have more time to comment...

Also, time permitting, keep on the lookout for Unplugged's 10 Knuckleheads of the Year, which I hope to start posting early next week.

DOWNINGTOWN-AREA BURGLARY RING BROKEN UP

A Parkesburg man is in custody after being charged with a series of thefts in the Downingtown area.

John David Heinzman, 37, was arrested today by troopers from the Embreeville State Police station and charged with 37 counts each of Recieving Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief, TBUT, Possession of an Instrument of Crime, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, Criminal Trespassing, and Loitering/Prowling at Nighttime according to a complaint filed by Tpr. Brian Barber.

Heinzman was arraigned this afternoon by Downingtown District Judge Rita Arnold and committed to CCP in lieu of $75,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 5, 2009 (15-2-06, CR-0000616-08).

Also suspected as a participant in the burglary spree is a Coatesville man awaiting sentencing on three separate cases to which he recently pled guilty to.

Steven Matthew Laird, 20, presently an inmate in Lancaster County Prison, is charged with 6 counts each of Burglary, TBUT, Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Trespassing, Loitering/Prowling at Night, and Possessing an Instrument of Crime, in addition to one count of Criminal Conspiracy.

Laird's 2008 has been a fairly eventful one, at least while he wasn't enjoying his visit at the Pocopson Hilton and other fine correctional institutions:

• February 5, 2008: Cpl. Sean Knapp, then of the Coatesville Police, arrests Laird and charges him with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphanalia, and Disorderly Conduct. Laird is arraigned that day and committed to CCP in lieu of 10 percent of $5,000 bail (CP-15-CR-0000911-2008).
• February 27, 2008: Laird waives his preliminary hearing on all charges in front of Coatesville District Judge Robert Davis in order to apply for Drug Court. Bail is modified to $5,000 unsecured.
• March 20, 2008: Laird is rejected for Drug Court by Common Pleas Judge William Mahon.
• April 30, 2008: Ofc. Joseph Catov of the West Whiteland Police investigates a burglary in the township in which Laird is a suspect (CP-15-CR-0001885-2008).
• May 1, 2008: Det. Sgt. Chris McEvoy of the Coatesville Police charges Laird with Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License, Recieving Stolen Property, Possession of a Prohibited Offensive Weapon, and Carrying a Loaded Weapon. The weapon is believed to have been taken during the West Whiteland burglary. Laird is arraigned that day, with bail set at $25,000 cash (CP-15-CR-0001907-2008).
• May 2, 2008: West Whiteland Police file Burglary (1st degree felony), Criminal Trespass, TBUT, Receiving Stolen Property, Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License, and Criminal Mischief charges against Laird in Exton District Court.
• May 7, 2008: Laird is arraigned by Exton District Judge Larry Smith on the West Whiteland charges, with bail set at 10 percent of $15,000.
• May 13, 2008: Laird waives his prelim on the West Whiteland case in front of Judge Smith.
• May 14, 2008: Laird waives his prelim on the second Coatesville case in front of Judge Davis.
• July 23, 2008: Laird enters an open guilty plea to one count of PWID in the first Coatesville case, Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License in the second Coatesville case, and Burglary (2nd degree felony) in the West Whiteland case in front of Common Pleas Judge Anthony Sarcione. Sentencing is deferred pending a pre-sentence investigation and mental health evaluation.

Arraignment at Downingtown District Court for Laird on the charges brought by the State Police are pending (15-2-06, CR-0000610-08).

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/14/08

WCPD detectives are investigating a reported rape that occured sometime on Thursday. The female victim reported to investigators that she was approcached by a hispanic male who reportedly forced her into his car on the 100 block of South High Street. While in the vehicle, the victim was sexually assaulted. She reported the incident to police the following day.


Few details are immediately known about the alleged attacker or the vehicle reportedly used in the assault. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call WCPD at (610) 696-2700...


A West Chester man faces indecency charges after he allegedly celebrated his birthday, shall we say, in an unusual fashion.

At around 17:20 on Thursday, Ofc. David Frantz responded to the 50 block of West Union Street for a report of a man, alleged to be Richard Melvin Griffin, masterbating on a sidewalk in public view. Upon Ofc. Frantz's arrival, Griffin reportedly was still engaging in the lewd act and taken into custody.

Griffin, who was celebrating his 45th birthday on Thursday, was charged with Indecent Exposure, Open Lewdness, and a borough ordinance of Public Indecency. He was arraigned by Valley District Judge Grover Koon and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000347-08)...

A man is a guest of the county at the Pocopson Hilton after allegedly burglarizing a West End residence.

Ofc. Tom Flick responded to a reported burglary early Friday morning, during which David Alan Stillman, 32, of West Chester, was arrested and subsequently charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespassing, TBUT, and Recieving Stolen Property.

Stillman's prior run-in with police was a February 28, 2007 arrest on charges of DUI in the East End by Cpl. Tom Gotthold. Stillman was admitted to and completed the ARD program relating to that case (CP-15-CR-0002186-2007).

Stillman was arraigned on Friday and committed to CCP in lieu of $5,000 cash bail. A prelim is scheduled for Tuesday in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000348-08)...

More odds and ends will be posted later, including the arrest of a state parolee with a bit of an anger management and burglary problem.

CAR VS BUILDING IN WEST END

Police are investigating a collision in which a car went off the road and into a vacant single-family residence early this morning.

At around 00:15, WCPD, fire and EMS were dispatched to the 600 block of West Miner Street for a report of a vehicle into a building. The vehicle, an Audi sedan, reportedly failed to negotiate the curve on West Miner near South Everhart Street, went through a fence at the corner, and across one front yard before striking the front of an unoccupied dwelling. The impact of the collision resulted in extensive damage to the front of the property, with the canopy being dislodged, along with extensive front-end damage to the Audi.

The vehicle came to rest approximately 5-to-10 feet from striking a nearby apartment building. Residents in the neighborhood told Unplugged that several accidents have occured in that area over the past few years, with one accident resulting in extensive damage to a large tree.

Upon arrival, police reported one occupant trapped in the vehicle. Rescue 53 and Engine 53 arrived on scene to perform the extrication while Engine 51-2 staged on Bradford Avenue north of Miner to stand-by for a possible medevac landing zone, which was not needed after the patient was evaluated.

The patient was extricated after rescue personnel popped the front driver's side door and was later transported to CCH with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Detectives were later requested to the scene after it was suspected that the victim might have been the passenger of the vehicle as opposed to the driver. As of this writing, it's not clear if there was a second occupant of the vehicle, however, all indications at this early stage indicate that the patient who was treated was actually the driver.

Assisting WCPD were all three fire companies (Wessies, Fame, and Good Will's air/light unit), GFAC, Medic 91, Concordville EMS, and fire police from West Chester and West Whiteland.

The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with further information regarding the incident is asked to call WCPD at (610) 696-2700.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SELLS OUT PARADE

For the first time in several years, I was able to attend the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade last night. After what I saw of the parade, I highly doubt I will return for next year's event unless the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce decides to make some dramatic changes.

For starters, why the Chamber feels it's neccesary to hold a parade on Friday night remains unknown to this writer. While there were signs clearly posted at all parking meters Uptown that the streets would close at 17:00, this writer observed street closings beginning 15 to 20 minutes before hand.

Suffice to say, I found out the hard way when the 92 bus that I was on was able to get up New Street, but couldn't turn into the Justice Center Garage/West Chester Transportation Center because Market Street was closed. Again, it was closed 15 minutes before the signs indicated that they would be closed. Considering that most of the employees at the county buildings are trying to leave at around the time streets were closing and people coming into the borough were trying to park somewhere - including neighborhood streets - that's a recipe for gridlock.

And, as if it were any shock, there was far too much traffic along the side alleys to the north of Chestnut Street, making it very difficult for residents and commuters alike to cope. Somehow, I doubt that the Chamber ever factors that in when they plan this parade. At least when the Iron Hill Criterium bike race takes place every year (1) it takes place on a Saturday and (2) the route for the past couple of years has been such that New Street doesn't have to be blocked off.

Now, as far as the parade itself, I have to wonder when did the Chamber decide to turn this into less of a community event and more of a made-for-TV extravaganza with bands and other parade participants being brought in from outside of the West Chester area. Now, I understand that Henderson High School doesn't have a band this year, but is that any reason to bring in a high school marching band from Bucks County? I guess they don't have Christmas parades in Yardley or Falls Township, so the marching band from Pennsbury High School was invited to participate in a parade that took place in West Chester, Chester County.

Some comments from today's Daily Local article/puff piece:

"It's a true love for this town," said Bob Gross, who is involved with the Chester County Community Foundation. "I talk about West Chester and I say: Could you imagine living in a Norman Rockwell painting?"

Gross was one of many to describe the Victorian-inspired event as Rockwellian, along with parade producer Todd Marcocci, who many credit with truly transforming the event.

"It's all about showcasing this community," said Marcocci.

With all due respect to Mr. Gross, West Chester is no more of a "Norman Rockwell painting" than Media, Lansdale, or Quakertown. When you allow an organization to corrupt a community event to accomodate a big-shot parade producer and a Philadelphia television station, that community turns more into Celebration, Florida, the Disney Company's "planned" community in Osceola County (just south of Orlando) that attempts to manufacture a home-town feel in the name of destroying open-space.

And no offense to the band members from Pennsbury, but this is a parade to celebrate the Christmas holiday season in West Chester. How does a marching band from Bucks County showcase the West Chester community? Did the townships that form the Pennsbury School District secretly seceed from Bucks County and merge into Chester County while we were sleeping?

At least Downingtown's high school band (which consists of members from both Downingtown East and Downingtown West high schools) is within Chester County, so their appearance wasn't as much as a reach as Pennsbury's was.

And, please, don't get me started on the fact that at least two of the acts who participated in the parade were from the Metropolitan Washington area. Again, how does that showcase West Chester when performers from Northern Virginia are imported to give a false sense of showcasing the community?

And why did those who viewed the parade from High and Market Streets have to endure the emceeing skills (or lack thereof) of Channel 6 meteorologist Adam Joseph? I'd certainly be interested to know what his ties are to the West Chester area.

Back to the article:

Marcocci, who runs the West Chester-based company Under the Sun Productions, produces large parades — such as the Ikea Thanksgiving Parade (formerly the Boscov's Parade) in Philadelphia — all over the country.

"He's taken it to the next level," said Katie Walker, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. She also credits Marcocci with connecting the parade in a partnership with Channel 6 ABC, which served as a major sponsor and covered the parade.

"I look at parades as moving stage-show productions," said Marcocci, who said he wanted to keep the Victorian feel of the town but advance the event artistically and creatively.

So, under Walker's logic, taking it "to the next level" means selling out the community aspect of the parade and allowing a Philadelphia TV station to corrupt the hometown feel of this parade and turn it into a mini-version of a Disney production (Channel 6 is an affiliate of ABC television, which is owned by the Disney congolmerate). Sorry, but as someone who has lived in West Chester since 1995, reading Marocci's comments about planning the parade is an insult to my intelligence.

Joseph ... had similar comments. "It's very welcoming. West Chester may be a small town, but it's got a big heart."

That's debatable. I don't think too many members of the community would think that way after seeing this parade.

Bianca Ryan, winner of the first season of the television competition "America's Got Talent" in 2006, also performed, first from her float then from the steps of the courthouse immediately prior to the tree-lighting ceremony.

The center of this year's production, Ryan, who grew up in Philadelphia, is only 14, but she has already toured internationally, recently returning from Japan.

"This is one of my favorite parades to do," said Ryan. "There's so much support, it's amazing."

Well, seeing as Henderson High doesn't have a marching band this year, I would suspect and hope that they still have a choir. It would've been more of a hometown feel if Henderson High - the only school in the West Chester Area School District physically located within West Chester Borough - were represented by having it's choir perform on the steps of the Courthouse instead of a "reality show" winner from Philadelphia.

I guess that Gervais character (you know, the self-centered, irritating guy from Willingboro, South Jersey) from the first season of Survivor was unavailable to participate.

And, as controversial as he may be to some people, including this writer, I wouldn't have had an objection to Bam Margera being a part of this parade. At least he lives in West Chester (okay, Pocopson, but I believe it's a West Chester mailing address, so it's all good).

Marcocci and Walker both see the parade as an opportunity to show visitors that atmosphere.

"They come for the parade, but obviously they're going to come back. It's the long-term picture," said Marcocci.

Well, now the true motives have come out. Perhaps Marcocci and Walker wouldn't take such a view if those same visitors saw the "real" West Chester that I see every day and comment on regularly on this blog.

Perhaps this next comment from someone who has been involved with this event from the beginning - you know, when this was actually a "community parade" as opposed to a made-for-TV spectacle - may have unintentionally summed up my sentiments:

"I've been in this parade probably since the first one," said Ed Hilbush, who owns some of the antique cars showcased in the parade. "It was chaos when it was all volunteers, and much smaller. They're so organized it scares me."

What scares me is the fact that this set-up may be in place for the forseeable future. What also outrages me as a borough taxpayers is that the Chamber, despite all of the corporate support, approached Borough Council for $1,500 to help offset the costs of police protection for the parade. Considering all the funding the Chamber gets for this parade, perhaps Council should seriously consider denying the Chamber's request next year.

By the way, where exactly was Public Works last night? As of 09:30 this morning, there was still a noticable amount of streamers scattered along the Courthouse steps and along the 50 block of West Market Street. Considering all of the outcry over bar patrons and their alleged littering along borough streets, to not clean up after the mess from last night's parade is inexcusable and bordering on hypocritical. Perhaps the Chamber might want to set aside some money so the area around the Courthouse doesn't resemble the typical living room of a frat house after an all night keg party.

In closing, the Chamber has done the community a great dis-service by corrupting what should be a community event with strong local roots and, for all intents and purposes, sold out OUR Christmas Parade. Is it really worth turning what was once a community-based parade into an overly produced spectacle in order to draw more tourists into West Chester?

To this writer, the answer is no.

Link to the full article on the parade in today's Daily Local.

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/03/08

A Delaware County man who had previously been arrested following assault is now facing robbery charges as a result of a November 2 incident in the West End.

Ray Ashley Abrams, 23, of the Havertown district of Haverford Township, Delaware County, was initially charged with Simple Assault, Intimidation of a Witness, and misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct for his alleged role in a November 2 assault and robbery on West Barnard Street.

At his preliminary hearing in front of Judge Bruno yesterday morning, the Commonwealth withdrew the original complaint and have since added two counts of Robbery to the initial set of charges. Abrams was committed to CCP but later released after posting 10 percent of $7,500 bail. His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday (15-1-01, CR-0000339-08).

The co-conspirator in the case, Michael William Osorio, 23, of Havertown, Delaware County, saw charges in his case withdrawn in court yesterday. It's not known if charges against Osorio will be re-filed or his status in this case (15-1-01, CR-0000300-08)...

Two couples - one reportedly married, the other engaged - were among five defendants arraigned on criminal charges during Judge Bruno's on-call session last night. One of the men arraigned and committed to CCP is the son of a West Chester Borough employee who was, in fact, scheduled to begin working for the borough (and, hence, collecting a salary from the taxpayers) today. The males halves of both couples, incidentially, haven't exactly lived crime-free lives.

From the shopping (and gridlock) capital of Chester County, Ofc. Jeffrey McCloskey of the West Whiteland Police responded to the Sears store at the Exton Square Mall for a retail theft complaint. The two suspects, Joshua Ryan Escobar, 24, of the 700 block of Shippen Drive, Chester Springs, and Kalliope Alexis Kopes, 24, of Garnet Valley, Delaware County, allegedly took an unknown amount of merchandise from the store. As the couple left the store, they reportedly assaulted a store employee. Officers from the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police apprehended Escobar and Kopes a short time later during a traffic stop on U.S. 202.

Both suspects were charged with Retail Theft, Simple Assault, Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of an Instrument of Crime, Harassment, and Criminal Conspiracy. Kopes was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphanalia.

Escobar is currently out on bail and awaiting trial in Delaware County following an alleged theft of a motor vehicle. On October 9, Ofc. F. Scott Ely of the Brookhaven Police took a report of a stolen vehicle in the borough. It was later determined that Escobar had taken the vehicle without the owner's consent.

Escobar was arrested on October 16 and charged with TBUT, Recieving Stolen Property, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Criminal Mischief. He was committed to Delaware County Prison in lieu of $20,000 cash bail. Escobar was released from Delaware County Prison on October 30 after Brookhaven District Judge Walter C. McCray III allowed the defendant to post 10 percent at a hearing the previous day. On November 12, Escobar waived his preliminary hearing on all counts. A trial date is pending in Delaware County Common Pleas Court (CP-23-CR-0007675-2008).

Escobar was committed to CCP in lieu of $7,500 cash bail (15-4-03, CR-0000417-08); Kopes was committed to CCP in lieu of $2,500 cash bail (15-4-03, CR-0000418-08). Preliminary hearings for both suspects are scheduled for Tuesday in front of Exton District Judge Larry Smith...

In the southern part of the county, a couple is charged with theft from a gift store early last night. Tpr. Megan Richards of the Avondale State Police station responded to the Hallmark Store at the Jenner's Village Shopping Center on the 800 block of West Baltimore Pike, Penn, for a theft report in which the two suspects, Aaron Russell Jackson, 20, of the 100 block Kelton Road, West Grove, and Jessica Joan Young, 18, of the first block of Fairway Rd., Newark, Del., had reportedly taken nearly $150 in merchandise from the store.

During his arraignment last night, Jackson told Judge Bruno that he was supposed to start work with the West Chester Borough Public Works Department. Jackson's father, Ellwood Jackson, is a supervisor in the Public Works Department. Had it not been for the family background, it would've been a different type of background that realistically would've kept Jackson from being hired by the borough in the first place (unless otherwise noted, all arresting or citing officers are/were assigned to the State Police/Avondale Station at the time the tickets or charges were filed):

• April 7, 2006: Tpr. Todd McCurdy files a summary citation of Disorderly Conduct against Jackson after an incident in Franklin. Jackson pleads guilty to the summary charge in Avondale District Court (15-4-04, NT-0000086-06).
• May 5, 2006: Tpr. Todd Wietry files a traffic citation of Permitting the Illegal Use of Registration Plate/Card after a traffic stop in New London, to which Jackson pleads guilty (15-4-04, TR-0001145-06).
• July 2, 2006: Tpr. Edward O'Haire cites Jackson for 1543-A (15-4-04, TR-0002404-06) and Operating a Vehicle Without Valid Inspection (15-4-04, TR-0002405-06) after a traffic stop in Franklin.
• October 9, 2006: At trial in Avondale District Court, Jackson is found guilty on the 1543-A count, and pleads guilty on the inspection citation. The 1543-A conviction is appealed to Common Pleas Court.
• November 13, 2006: Tpr. Gregory Neely files a Disorderly Conduct citation against Jackson after an incident in Penn. Jackson pleads guilty in Oxford District Court in 2007 (15-3-05, NT-0002091-06).
• January 4, 2007: Jackson's summary appeal is dismissed by Common Pleas Court Judge Howard F. Riley, Jr. after Jackson fails to appear for his hearing (CP-15-SA-0000680-2006).
• July 11, 2007: Ofc. Steve Parkinson of the Caln Police cites Jackson for Operating a Vehilce Without a Valid Inspection; Jackson later pleads guilty to the citation in Thorndale District Court (15-4-02, TR-0003145-07).
• September 6, 2007: Chief Errol Galloway of the West Grove Police cites Jackson for driving the wrong way down a one-way street (now, seriously, how many one-way streets can there be in West Grove?). Jackson pleads guilty to the citation a few days later (15-4-04, TR-0003128-07).
• October 5, 2007: Tpr. Justin Hope cites Jackson for Operating a Vehicle Without a Valid Inspection (15-4-04, TR-0003741-07) and Operating a Vehilce Without a Valid Emission Sticker (15-4-04, TR-0003742-07).
• October 15, 2007: Tpr. Stephen Peterson filed charges in Kennett District Court in which Jackson was charged with Possession of Marijuana and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphanalia following an incident in East Marlborough (15-3-04, CR-0000320-07).
• October 22, 2007: Tpr. Caleb Semsel files a citation charging Jackson with a summary count of Harassment following an incident in Penn. Jackson pleads guilty in Oxford District Court (15-3-05, NT-0001152-07).
• November 13, 2007: At a preliminary hearing in Kennett District Court, drug charges were withdrawn in exchange for a guilty plea to a summary charge of Disorderly Conduct (15-3-04, NT-0000931-07).
• January 28, 2008: Tpr. Ryan Wietry responded to a report of an assault in West Marlborough. Jackson was charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, Harassment, Criminal Mischief, and Disorderly Conduct.
• January 29, 2008: Jackson is arraigned and committed to CCP in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.
• February 7, 2008: Jackson is released from CCP following a bail hearing in front of Avondale District Judge Thomas Martin; bail is reduced to 10 percent of $10,000, which is posted that day.
• February 14, 2008: Jackson is ordered held for trial on all counts.
• March 14, 2008: Tpr. William Vanorden cites Jackson for Driving an Unregistered Vehicle (15-4-04, TR-0001151-08) and Operating a Vehicle Without Valid Inspection (15-4-04, TR-0001152-08) following a traffic stop in Franklin. Jackson later pleads guilty on both charges.
• May 13, 2008: Tpr. Neely responds to a report of a residential burglary in Penn.
• May 18, 2008: Jackson is arraigned in front of Oxford District Judge Harry Farmer on charges of Burglary, TBUT, Recieving Stolen Property, and Criminal Conspiracy; he is committed to CCP in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.
• May 23, 2008: Tpr. Nathan Hartlaub files a Disorderly Conduct citation against Jackson stemming from an incident in New London. Jackson pleads guilty to the charge and is given credit for time served in lieu of payment of fines and costs (15-3-05, NT-0000841-08).
• May 30, 2008: Jackson enters an open guilty plea to one count of Simple Assault and one count of REAP in front of Common Pleas Judge David Bortner. Sentencing is deferred pending a pre-sentence investigation; originally scheduled for July 28, the sentencing hearing has been continued at least four times (CP-15-CR-0000724-2008).
• July 25, 2008: Jackson is ordered held for trial on all counts after a preliminary hearing in front of Judge Farmer.
• November 19, 2008: After a pre-trial hearing in front of Common Pleas Court Judge James P. MacElree II, Jackson's case relating to the Penn burglary is continued at the requested of his court-appointed attorney, Michael Noone. At that hearing, Judge MacElree modifies Jackson's bail to $10,000 unsecured, thus releasing Jackson from custody. Trial is now tentatively scheduled for January 5, 2009 (CP-15-CR-0002440-2008).
• December 2, 2008: Jackson is arrested by State Police after a reported theft at the Jennersville Hallmark store.

Yeah, that's a responsible and trustworthy person I'd be proud to have on the borough's payroll, family ties or not.

Suffice to say, Jackson was committed to CCP in lieu of $7,500 cash (15-3-05, CR-0000413-08).

Young, who told Judge Bruno that (1) she and Jackson were engaged and (2) that she had been unemployed since May after leaving her job at a Southern Chester County nail salon due to personality conflicts with co-workers, will join her beau at CCP, though, presumably at "O" block and not in the "honeymoon suite" after she failed to post $2,500 cash bail (15-3-05, CR-0000414-08).

Jackson and Young are scheduled to appear in front of Judge Farmer next Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

Let this be a lesson for all the single ladies out there: It's not really a good idea to get involved in a relationship with a knucklehead.

ODDS AND ENDS - 12/01/08

Some arrests and cases of interest from the past week:

The brother of a man murdered in the East End last year is back in custody after a police raid last week.

William Oliveras, Jr., 25, of the 300 block of South Adams Street, West Chester, was charged with two counts each of PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia as part of an investigation by WCPD Narcotics officers.

At around 17:00 last Monday night, WCPD investigators, assisted by the West Chester Regional Emergency Response Team, conducted a raid of Oliveras' residence, which was the scene of the July 2007 homicide of Christian Oliveras, a suspected drug dealer who had been scheduled to be sentenced to state prison a few weeks prior to the murder.

Oliveras was recently paroled from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections after serving 7 years following convictions relating to an October 23, 2000 shooting in the borough. Oliveras, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was tried as an adult and found guilty of Criminal Attempt/Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, Possession of a Firearm Without a License, Possession of an Instrument of Crime, and Terroristic Threats.

Oliveras was initially sentenced to 8 1/2 to 20 years in state prison plus 7 years probation consecutive to parole on November 13, 2001 by Common Pleas Judge Jacqueline Carroll Cody.

On November 6, 2002, nearly a year-long after his initial sentence, Oliveras eventually was re-sentenced to 6-to-12 years in state prison plus 5 years of probation consecutive to parole by Common Pleas Judge William Mahon. The sentence appears to have been part of an agreement between the District Attorney's office and Oliveras, as Oliveras agreed not to take a direct appeal and to withdraw his post-sentence relief motion (CP-15-CR-0000005-2001).

While in custody at SCI Pine Grove in Indiana County, State Police filed Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Harassment charges against Oliveras after a November 23, 2003 incident at the facility. The Aggravated Assault count was dismissed after a preliminary hearing on February 12, 2004 in Clymer (Indiana County) District Court.

On July 30, 2004, Oliveras pled guilty to Simple Assault and was sentenced to 1-to-2 years in state prison by Indiana County President Judge William J. Martin. The sentence on the Indiana County case ran concurrent with the Chester County sentence (CP-32-CR-0000182-2004).

After serving over seven years of his sentence at SCI Pine Grove, then later at SCI Greene in Southwestern Pennsylvania (near the West Virginia border), Oliveras was paroled in February. The new charges stem from a WCPD investigation that was initiated on September 27.

Oliveras was taken in without incident and brought in front of Thorndale District Judge Jim Charley, who committed the suspected drug dealer to CCP in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. A prelim is scheduled for Friday at Union Street (15-1-04, CR-0000404-08)...

A couple of early morning incidents spoiled the Thanksgiving Day mood in the East End.

At around 07:12, Ofc. Tom Flick responded to the 50 block of North Walnut Street where a volunteer who was delivering food to the Salvation Army had reported his Infiniti M35 stolen. The victim told police he had left the car unattended while he made his delivery. Further details about this incident are not immediately known.

A few hours later, at around 09:59, Ofc. Flick responded to the 300 block of South Matlack Street where a woman reported extensive damage to her 2000 Hyundai Elantra. The victim told Ofc. Flick that she had found a broken bottle and broken glass around the area of her car. The vehicle sustained damage to the front and rear windshields, and paint had been thrown onto the hood of the car.

Anyone with further information regarding these two incidents is asked to call WCPD at (610) 696-2700...

Later that morning, Ofc. David Frantz responded to the Granite Court Apartments in the West End for a report of a domestic assault in progress. The suspect, Alberto Celis-Amezcua, 38, allegedly struck both his sister-in-law and her husband in the face during a fight. Celis-Amezcua was arraigned that night and committed to CCP in lieu of $5,000 cash bail; a prelim is scheduled for tomorrow in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000335-08)...

A Coatesville man was arrested after he was allegedly found to be operating a stolen vehicle in the North End.

Michael Vincent Quinn, Jr., 28, was taken into custody after Ofc. Jason Malicki initiated a traffic stop on the 700 block of North High Street on November 22 at around 23:26. A check of the vehicle's registration confirmed the vehicle was stolen, though it was known whether the vehicle was stolen locally or outside of the area.

A records check revealed that Quinn had an active bench warrant out of Cumberland County on a parole violation.

On March 22, 2007, Det. Michael Cotton of the East Pennsboro Township (Cumberland County) police took a complaint relating to an incident in which Quinn was later charged with Access Device Fraud, Identity Theft, TBUT, and Theft by Deception. On June 16, 2007, Quinn was taken into custody on the charges, and was held at Cumberland County Prison in lieu of $15,000 cash bail.

On July 2, 2007, Quinn waived his preliminary hearing in Enola District Court on all counts, yet was still unable to post bail. Quinn eventually pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of Theft by Deception in front of Cumberland County Common Pleas Judge Edward Guido. On November 20, 2007, Quinn was sentenced to 5-to-23 months in jail, with credit for 158 days of time served.

The bench warrant from Cumberland County was issued on October 10 after Quinn failed to appear for a contempt hearing in Carlisle. According to on-line court records, Quinn had failed to make payments which had made him nearly 2 months past due. The bench warrant was vacated last Monday after payment of his $223.23 balance was satisified (CP-21-CR-0001702-2007).

This wasn't Quinn's first run-in with the law, not that it's much of a shock.

On November 17, 1998, Det. James Shaw of the Caln Police investigated a burglary at the Thorndale K-Mart on East Lincoln Highway. Quinn was taken into custody on March 24, 1999 and charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespassing, TBUT, Recieving Stolen Property, and Criminal Conspiracy. Quinn later had applied for ARD, however, he was rejected for the program.

On August 19, 1999, Quinn pled guilty to Burglary and Criminal Conspiracy and was sentenced to 2 years of probation by Common Pleas Court Judge Juan Sanchez. Quinn was ordered to pay an apportion of the $6,000 restitution to K-Mart and to perform 100 hours of community service (CP-15-CR-0002031-1999).

Quinn was arraigned on Sunday morning by Judge Charley on felony charges of Recieving Stolen Property and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and is now free after posting $2,500 cash bail. His prelim is scheduled for Friday at Union Street (15-1-04, CR-0000400-08)...

And, finally, a juvenile faces charges after allegedly stealing a computer from his school earlier this year.

The 16 year old East Bradford resident, whose name is not being released due to his age, is being charged in the juvenile system with theft and related offenses after he allegedly stole a laptop computer from a cart in a classroom at Henderson High School in October. The suspect, a junior at Henderson, was arrested last week and released to the custody of his parents, pending a report with the Juvenile Probation Office.

TWO ROBBERIES IN BOROUGH

A West Chester man faces robbery charges following an incident in the West End late Monday night.

At approximately 18:10 Monday evening, three hispanic juvenile males were walking home from the West Chester Public Library when they were confronted by two black juvenile males and a man, alleged to be James Lee-Steven Beckett, 19, of West Chester, at the corner of West Biddle and North Darlington Streets. The three actors reportedly took a wallet and an I-Pod from one of the victims by point of gun.

Beckett was spotted near the Hannum Gardens projects on the 600 block of Downingtown Pike. After a brief foot chase, Beckett was apprehended on the 600 block of West Chestnut Street.

Beckett faces charges of Robbery, TBUT, Recieving Stolen Property, Simple Assault, Terroristic Threats, Possession of an Instrument of Crime, and Criminal Conspiracy charges. Beckett was arraigned by Judge Bruno on this past Tuesday morning and committed to CCP in lieu of $25,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for this Tuesday (15-1-01, CR-0000332-08).

The two juveniles were committed to the Juvenile Detention Center in Pocopson; proceedings in the juvenile system are pending...

Two convicts, a West End man recently paroled after addressing three drug related cases in Common Pleas Court earlier this month, and a Philadelphia man convicted of a sexual offense in Montgomery County, are guests of the county at the Pocopson Hilton following a robbery in the East End over the weekend.

Ibrahiym Naadir Muhammad, 19, was arrested after an early Saturday morning armed robbery investigated by Ofc. Harry O'Neill. Details regarding the incident are not immediately known as of this posting. Muhammad faces charges of Robbery, Recieving Stolen Property, TBUT, Prohibited Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Controlled Substance as a result of the incident.

Muhammad is not exactly a stranger, neither to Unplugged readers nor the courts:

• July 22, 2008: Cpl. Ryan Collins takes a report from employees at the 7-Eleven store at South High and West Barnard Streets after a suspect, later identified as Muhammad, leaves a bag containing 51 bags of what later tested positive for marijuana.
• July 25, 2008: Cpl. Josh Lee arrests Muhammad after an altercation in the East End in which Cpl. Lee suffers minor injuries. Muhammad is charged with Simple Assault, Escape, and Disorderly Conduct; he is released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 following arraignment at 15-1-04, despite the escape charge hanging over his head (which, sadly, is par for the course on Union Street).
• August 1, 2008: Ofc. Greg Cugino arrests Muhammad on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphanalia, and Public Drunkeness.
• August 2, 2008: Now-retired (thankfully) Avondale District Judge Thomas Martin allows Muhammad to be released after posting only 10 percent of $500. Oops...
• August 4, 2008: After having been positively identified, Cpl. Collins arrests Muhammad on charges of PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia as a result of the 7-Eleven investigation. During the arrest on the 200 block of South Matlack Street, Muhammad is found to be in possession of 53 bags of marijuana.
• August 5, 2008: Sanity finally prevails on Union Street as Muhammad is committed to CCP in lieu of $7,500 bail on both cases. Bail on the July 25 incident is revoked and re-set at $5,000 cash (which is probably what it should've been set at in the first place).
• August 26, 2008: Muhammad waives preliminary hearings on the July 22 (CP-15-CR-0003196-2008) and August 2 (CP-15-CR-0003197-2008) cases which were heard in front of Judge Bruno.
• August 29, 2008: Muhammad waives a preliminary hearing on the PWID case stemming from the August 4 arrest at 15-1-04; the Simple Assault and related charges (15-1-04, CR-0000190-08) are withdrawn in lieu of guilty pleas to two summary charges of Harassment (15-1-04, NT-0001143-08) and Disorderly Conduct (15-1-04, NT-0001144-08).
• September 11, 2008: After a hearing in front of Common Pleas Judge William Mahon, Muhammad is denied admission into the Drug Court program on all three cases.
• November 7, 2008: Muhammad enters guilty pleas on all three cases; the counts to which he pled guilty to and the subsequent sentences are not immediately known based on reviewing on-line records, but I would suspect that he was given 3-to-23 months on at least one of the PWID counts and probation on the drug possession count.
• November 29, 2008: Muhammad is arrested for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery. He was arraigned yesterday morning by Honey Brook District Judge Michael Cabry, and committed to CCP in lieu of $100,000 cash bail (15-1-04, CR-0000407-08).

Also facing charges as a result of the robbery is Nakia Powell, 21, of Philadelphia. Powell faces charges of Robbery, TBUT, and Recieving Stolen Property. Powell isn't exactly a model citizen himself, and has a prior sex offense conviction in Montgomery County.

• August 4, 2005: Police in West Norriton Township, Montgomery County investigate a report of indecent assault in which the victim was a minor.
• August 12, 2005: Powell is charged by West Norriton Police with Indecent Assault, Simple Assault, Corruption of Minors, Harassment; he is committed to Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post $7,500 cash bail.
• August 18, 2005: After waiving his preliminary hearing in Norriton District Court, District Judge Ester Castillo allows Powell to be released on $7,500 unsecured bail (this is in spite of being charged with a sexual offense against a minor; sounds like Castillo comes from the same train of thought on bail as certain district judges in this county, such as the judges at Union Street and Kennett. God help the people of East and West Norriton).
• September 3, 2005: Philadelphia Police arrest Powell on charges of TBUT, Receiving Stolen Property, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Criminal Conspiracy after an incident in Fairmount Park (MC-51-CR-0856291-2005).
• February 15, 2006: Powell pleads guilty to one count of Indecent Assault Without the Consent Of Other (a 2nd degree misdemeanor, which spares him from the Megan's Law registration requirements) in front of Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Thomas DelRicci and is sentenced to two years probation. All other charges, including the Indecent Assault charges relating to the victim being under 16 years old, are withdrawn (CP-46-CR-0005819-2005).
• July 3, 2006: Philadelphia Police arrest Powell on charges of PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphanalia after an incident in Tioga's 39th District (MC-51-CR-0701531-2006).
• October 26, 2006: Charges stemming from the 2005 arrest in Fairmount Park are withdrawn, more than likely due to the infamous "lack of prosecution" that stymies so many cases in the Philadelphia court system.
• April 13, 2007: Charges stemming from the 2006 PWID arrest are withdrawn in Philadelphia Municipal Court.
• July 14, 2007: Philadelphia Police arrest Powell on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana following an incident in the 14th District. Bail Commissioner Dwain E. Hill released Powell on his own recognizance at his arraignment the next day (MC-51-CR-0032744-2007).
• August 7, 2007: Montgomery County Probation officers file a bench warrant against Powell on probation violations.
• September 12, 2007: Philadelphia Police again arrest Powell, this time on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana after an incident in the 35th District (MC-51-CR-0042716-2007). Powell is also served with the arrest warrant out of Montgomery County.
• December 11, 2007: Charges stemming from the July 2007 arrest are withdrawn in Philadelphia Municipal Court.
• April 21, 2008: After a Gagnon II hearing in front of Judge DelRicci, Powell is found to have been in violation of her probation and is sentenced to 217 days (time served) to 23 months at MCCF.
• July 11, 2008: Stop me if you've heard this one, but charges stemming from the September 2007 arrest are withdrawn in Philadelphia Municipal Court ... again.
• November 29, 2008: Powell is arrested for his alleged role in the armed robbery. Powell is arraigned by Judge Cabry and committed to CCP in lieu of $70,000 cash bail (15-1-04, CR-0000406-08).

Prelims for both Muhammad and Powell are scheduled for Friday at 15-1-04.

ODDS AND ENDS - 11/23/08

A New Jersey man currently on probation in his home state is free on bail (thanks in no small part to the questionable recommendation of the Bail Agency) after allegedly assaulting a man in the SouthWest early yesterday morning.

Charles D. Martell, Jr., 23, of Paulsboro, Gloucester County, N.J., faces charges of Simple Assault and Harassment as a result of the incident.

At around 02:22 Saturday morning, Ofc. Brendon McGeehan responded to the 50 block of West Barnard Street for a report of an assault. The victim told police that a white male, alleged to have been Martell, was part of a group of 5-to-6 white males who had walked in front of the victim's car, which prevented him from moving.

Martell then reportedly opened the door, pulled the victim out of his car, and punched the victim several times in the face. Martell then fled into the residence at 17 West Barnard Street, where he was apprehended after the victim and a female witness positively identified him.

Martell, who is currently on probation in the State of New Jersey on drug charges stemming from an incident in Gloucester County, is free after posting 10 percent of $7,500 bail. Why the Bail Agency gave Martell, who does not appear to have any local ties and has a criminal history in another state, an opportunity to get out of jail and potentially commit more random crimes against the community is beyond me. In any event, a prelim is scheduled for December 2 in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000329-08)...

Yet, that wasn't the only questionable bail recommendation that was made during the morning on-call session at Exton District Court.

A 29 year old West End resident who is allegedly in the country illegally was arraigned and released on a relatively low bail after a DUI stop near his residence.

Luis Alberto Quintero Andrade, 29, of the 200 block of West Chestnut Street, was arrested as a result of a traffic stop on the 300 block of West Washington Street.

At 01:24, Ofc. Bill Viebahn pulled over a vehicle, allegedly driven by Quintero Andrade, after the vehicle was spotted on West Washington without it's headlights on. After failing field sobriety tests, Andrade was taken into custody. A subsequent records check revealed that Andrade did not have a valid driver's license.

Andrade was relased after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bail; his prelim is also scheduled for December 2 in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000330-08).

Wonderful. It's bad enough that Andrade is alleged to be in the country illegally, but now he has allegedly broken the laws of this Commonwealth. It's a good thing that Andrade wasn't involved in an accident in which other people were seriously injured. Otherwise, I highly doubt we'd hear the end of it.

Yet, despite his alleged illegal status, the Bail Agency has no problem treating Andrade as if he were simply a resident of Delaware as opposed to a criminal who has allegedly violated federal immigration law.

Makes you proud to be an American, doesn't it?

Meanwhile, a Valley man is behind bars after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend early Saturday morning.

Robert Henry Summers, 50, of the 700 block of West Main Street, Valley, was charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and REAP. At 03:07 Saturday morning, Ofc. Carlos McKinnie of the Coatesville Police responded to the 700 block of East Lincoln Highway after Summers' girlfriend alleged that Summers had struck her in the face multiple times. As a result of the punches, the victim suffered a bloody and broken nose along with a split lip.

Summers is no stranger either to violent behavior or the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections:

• On May 17, 1982, Summers was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Disorderly Conduct. On August 24, 1982, Summers pled guilty to Simple Assault in front of Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph Melody and was sentenced to 3-to-12 months at CCP (CP-15-CR-0001159-1982).
• On July 19, 1983, Summers was again arrested, this time with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, REAP, and Disorderly Conduct. On April 3, 1984, Summers pled guilty to Aggravated Assault in front of Common Pleas Judge Charles Smith and was sentenced to 51 days to 12 months at CCP (CP-15-CR-0001449-1983).
• On January 10, 1990, Summers was arrested in Coatesville and charged with Simple Assault, Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct. On August 1, 1990, Summers pled guilty to Simple Assault in front of Common Pleas Judge Thomas Gavin and was sentenced to 2 years probation (CP-15-CR-0001832-1990).
• On April 4, 1991, Summers was charged with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Conspiracy following an investigation in Coatesville. On February 7, 1992, Summers pled guilty to the PWID and Criminal Conspiracy counts in front of Common Pleas Judge Robert Shenkin and was sentenced to 11 1/2-to-23 months at CCP plus one year consecutive probation (CP-15-CR-0003688-1991).
• On August 31, 2001, investigators from the State Police Embreeville station charged Summers with PWID, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Drug-Free School Zone, and Criminal Conspiracy stemming from a June 6, 2001 transaction in Coatesville. On April 25, 2002, Summers pled guilty to the PWID count in front of Common Pleas Judge Phyllis Streitel. Sentencing was deferred to July 8, 2002, when Summers was initially sentenced to 22-to-44 months in state prison plus one year consecutive probation. On August 23, 2002, after a hearing to re-consider the sentence, Summers' jail sentenced was reduced to 18-to-36 months in state prison with the one year probation remaining in tact (CP-15-CR-0001207-2002).

Summers was committed to CCP in lieu of 10 percent of $10,000 bail by Exton District Judge Larry Smith. A prelim is scheduled for December 3 in front of Coatesville District Judge Robert Davis (15-1-03, CR-0000308-08)...

Meanwhile, on the knucklehead front, a warrant has been issued for a Southern Chester County man currently on probation for lying to authorities while securing papers to have his wife committed to a mental hospital.

George Robert Mendoza-Walker, 41, of Avondale, faces 12 counts each of Terroristic Threats and Harassment (3rd degree misdemeanor) on a complaint filed by WCPD detectives in Judge Bruno's court this past Tuesday (15-1-01, CR-0000317-08).

Mendoza-Walker also has an active bench warrant for a probation violation on an underlying charge of False Swearing stemming from a March 29, 2007 incident in which he had falsified documents in order to have his wife involuntarily committed to the mental health unit of Brandywine Hospital.

At his preliminary hearing on April 27, 2007, Mendoza-Walker earned a place in Unplugged infamy when he was admonished by the court after allegedly leering at the prosecutor, Christina Pelosi, during the hearing. On October 29, 2007, Mendoza-Walker pled guilty to the False Swearing charge in front of Common Pleas Judge James P. MacElree II and was placed on one year of probation.

On October 17, an application for a bench warrant was filed in Common Pleas Court; Judge MacElree issued the warrant on November 3 (CP-15-CR-0001804-2007).

Not to pile on, but it seems as though Mendoza-Walker was quite familiar with the court system even before last year's legal issues:

• On June 19, 2002, Coatesville Police arrested Mendoza-Walker on charges of Criminal Trespassing, Criminal Mischief, and Defiant Trespassing following an incident on the 50 block of South 6th Avenue. On December 16, 2002, Mendoza-Walker pled guilty to Defiant Trespassing as a 3rd degree misdemeanor in front of Judge MacElree and was sentenced to 1 year probation. Mendoza-Walker was also ordered to pay $104.94 in restitution to his victims (CP-15-CR-0003771-2002).
• On September 18, 2004, Ofc. Joseph Carboni of the Coatesville Police charged Mendoza-Walker with Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct. On June 6, 2005, Mendoza-Walker pled guilty to the summary Disorderly Conduct charge in front of Common Pleas Judge Anthony Sarcione and was placed on 90 days of non-reporting probation (CP-15-CR-0005406-2004).
• On March 8, 2005, Det. James Shaw of the Caln Police charged Mendoza-Walker with Burglary, TBUT, and Recieving Stolen Property. On July 12, 2005, Mendoza-Walker pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of Recieving Stolen Property and was sentenced to 3-to-12 months at CCP (CP-15-CR-0001598-2005).

Okay, it's not the worst criminal history out there, but it's enough to grab one's attention to say the least. In any event, Mendoza-Walker is still at large as of this writing. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call WCPD at (610) 696-2700 or Chester County Police Radio at (610) 383-7000.