Latest news with #ReadingPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. police ask for public's help after 12 car break-ins, with 2 cars and credit cards stolen
Residents on several Reading streets are being asked to check their outside camera footage after 12 cars were broken into and two of those cars were stolen overnight between Sunday and Monday, Reading police said. Along with the car thefts, the Reading Police Department said in a statement that some items were stolen during the break-ins, including credit cards. These incidents appear to have happened between 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, and 2 a.m. on Monday, May 19, police said. The break-ins and thefts happened on Spruce Road, Marla Lane, Covey Hill Road, Henzie Street, Spring Street, Criterion Road, Gardner Road and Rice Road. 'If you have any information or footage that can help, please call us at 781-944-1212 and speak to an officer,' the department stated. The department also reminded that 'as safe as Reading is, crime can happen anywhere.' Police urge residents not to leave valuables in their car, including their car keys, and ask that people lock their cars and homes. 'We know life is busy and we are here for you, but just a reminder,' the statement concluded. Man indicted in connection with deaths of men found near Salem Walmart Dorchester teen accused of ramming Boston Police officer with moped Man found guilty of killing Mass. couple in drunken driving crash from 2021 Mass. couple to plead guilty to Ponzi scheme that netted more than $3.2 million Agreement reached in lawsuit over Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center assault Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police asking for help in case of Reading man missing for 3 months
A Reading man has been missing for three months and authorities consider him to be endangered. Dwane Scott, 59, was last seen in the area of 900 Block of Summit Chase Drive in Reading on Feb. 13 about 7 p.m. He was reported missing to Reading police on Feb. 15. Dwane Scott of Reading has been missing since Feb. 13, according to police. (COURTESY OF READING POLICE) State police issued a missing endangered person advisory, and the Reading Police Department posted the alert on its Facebook page this week, imploring the public to be on the lookout for him. Scott is a black man who stands about 5 feet 10 inches and weighs about 200 pounds. When he was last seen he was wearing a gray coat. Scott may be confused, and is considered at special risk of harm or injury, the advisory stated. If you see him, call 911. If you have information to help locate him, call Reading police at 610-655-6116.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
One dead after four-car crash on Route 28 in Reading
One person is dead after a four-car crash on Route 28 in Reading late Friday night. Local emergency services received nearly a dozen 911 calls about a collision at the intersection of Main and Hopkins Streets shortly after 10 p.m. Police responded to the call, the Reading Police Department said in a post to its Facebook page. Police said a 2006 gray Volvo XC70 was speeding down the southbound lane of Main Street and at the same that the driver of a green 2014 Ford Fusion was headed east on Hopkins Street, toward the intersection with Main Street. Police said they believe the Volvo's driver blew through a red light and struck the Ford Fusion on its driver's side. The Ford spun into traffic on the northbound side of Main Street, colliding with a gray 2014 Audi Q7. The Volvo, meanwhile, slammed into a 2018 gray Toyota RAV4 after the initial collision, police said. The Ford's driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Volvo's driver was taken to a local hospital. A passenger from the RAV4 also was injured and taken to a local hospital, police said. As of Saturday morning, investigators had not released names and the crash remains under investigation. If you have information about the crash, Reading Police have asked for a call at 781-944-1212. Man died in Webster house fire, reports say Man killed in fire at multi-family home in Revere, fire officials say Fatal Cape Cod house fire caused by smoldering cigarettes, fire officials say Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Primary election 2025: 2 candidates compete for Berks sheriff
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to be Berks County sheriff. Acting Berks County Sheriff Mandy Miller and retired Reading police officer Chris Rothermel are running in the May 20 primary to fill a vacancy left when Eric Weaknecht won election in November to serve as the representative for the 5th Legislative District. They are running to serve the remaining two years of Weaknecht's term. The office is responsible for elements of criminal court, civil court, enforcement of state crimes and motor vehicle codes and has a firearms licensing and enforcement function. It is staffed with 110 employees organized into six divisions — civil, court, patrol, central booking, K-9 and warrants. The county sheriff currently receives an annual salary of $101,694. We asked the candidates to respond to two questions. Question 1: Why do you believe you are the right person for this position? Question 2: What is the biggest challenge facing the office today and what would you do to address that challenge if elected? Chris Rothermel Chris Rothermel Background: Rothermel retired from the Reading Police Department after 27 years of service, where he supervised criminal investigations and patrol activities. He's a graduate of the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute. He also served as a volunteer counselor and board member for the Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet Academy. Age: 52. Website: Response 1: I'm the right person for the job because I'm the most experienced candidate with leadership experience in law enforcement. My time on the job and experience earning my rank through testing and interviews in a competitive environment, rather than having had rank just handed to me, means I've had to learn from my mistakes, and grow from them. I've disciplined others and been disciplined so I understand exactly what it is for an employee to go through those hard times and how to move forward afterward. I believe in constant training, especially at the higher ranks. Without change and growth we become complacent. Response 2: I think morale is low in the department. That's a tough issue in any department. I believe the sheriff needs to back its deputies by backing them up during contract years to ensure fair pay. Promotions under my department would be by board interview, rather than a handshake policy to friends. This would allow deputies who have never been considered to apply and interview for the job. I would use the civil service rules to fairly promote the best candidates for the job. No more political handshakes to hire employees with no experience and give them rank over qualified deputies already on the job with years of experience. Also, even though the sheriff has the ability to hire and fire at will, no one would lose their jobs from deputy to the rank of captain upon my takeover. Politics in the office, any law enforcement office, needs to cease. It creates a hostile environment for employees. I would move forward with the existing people who do the job and modify any policy requiring change as we go. Mandy Miller Mandy Miller Background: Miller is serving as the acting sheriff, having been appointed to fill a vacancy left when Eric Weaknecht won election in November to serve as the representative for the 5th Legislative District. She has more than 25 years of experience working in the office. Age: 47. Website: Response 1: I'm proud to have spent over 25 years protecting and serving the people of Berks County, working my way through every rank — deputy, sergeant, captain, chief deputy and now having the honor of serving as your sheriff. I'm a graduate of Wilson High School, the Reading Police Academy and the Pennsylvania Sheriff Academy at Penn State University. I also recently earned my degree in business management to strengthen the leadership skills needed to run a modern, efficient sheriff's office. Every day, I lead with integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to doing what's right for our community. I know the sheriff's office inside and out because I've worked in every division and faced the real challenges that come with serving the public. Since taking office, I've focused on delivering real improvements — streamlining operations, expanding hours for our license to carry firearms section, building stronger community partnerships and ensuring that every resident receives the highest level of service and protection. I have also seen the incredible results we achieve when law enforcement and the community work together. I'm not just talking about leadership — I'm delivering it. And I'm ready to continue building a safer, stronger Berks County, side by side with the people who call it home. Response 2: One of the biggest challenges facing the sheriff's office today is the growing lack of respect for law enforcement, which makes it harder to recruit and retain qualified deputies. As sheriff, I've already taken action to combat this. I recently won a battle to increase our deputies' pay, ensuring that they are compensated fairly for the difficult and dangerous work they do. This was a critical step in showing our team that we value and respect them. But it doesn't stop there. I'm also strengthening our community relationships and increasing transparency so the public sees the professionalism and dedication of our deputies. When we rebuild that trust, we rebuild respect — and that will help us recruit the next generation of law enforcement leaders. Inside the office, I'm continuing to focus on creating a culture where deputies are supported, valued and given opportunities to grow in their careers. We've also ramped up our recruitment efforts to bring in new deputies from our community — people who are passionate about serving others and making a real difference. Respect is earned, and I'm committed to earning it — both for our deputies and for the community we serve.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Maine man arrested in New Jersey after Massachusetts car theft
READING, Mass. (WWLP) – A car theft case out of Massachusetts is now spanning the northeast. Mass. teenager arrested after driving 120MPH in New Hampshire A 32-year-old man from Livermore Falls, Maine, was arrested in New Jersey for a car theft that happened in Massachusetts on Saturday. The Reading Police Department states that at 6:33 p.m., the suspect stole a 2022 Range Rover from its owner at a gas station, hopping in it while he was at the pump, and partially running him over as he took off. The suspect pulled up in a blue Chevrolet Malibu reported stolen out of Maine, but changed his target when he saw the Range Rover. The owner of the Range Rover, a 49-year-old man, held onto the mirror of the vehicle as the suspect drove away from the gas station parking lot. The man was dragged for approximately 20 feet. The man was taken to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center for his injuries. The suspect left Massachusetts and drove to Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. The man was arrested following a brief vehicle and foot chase in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey. The suspect will also likely face additional charges in both New Jersey and Maine. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
