WESTTOWN — On March 29, 2023, at approximately 1 p.m., the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department was dispatched to the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, located on Paoli Pike in East Goshen Township, for the report of a threat made towards the school. Officers responded to the school, and to the other two other Pennsylvania Leadership Charter schools located in our jurisdiction, and determined the threat was not credible and that students and staff were not in danger. It was determined that the threat was a result of a swatting call and that numerous other departments across Pennsylvania had received similar swatting calls.
Swatting is a harassment technique most often perpetrated by members of the online gaming community. Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. Swatters do this by making phone calls to emergency lines like 911 and falsely reporting a violent emergency situation.
Police reports from across the region:
Kennett Square
Rape
On Jan. 19, 2023, the Kennett Square Police Department received a report of a female juvenile who had been a sexually assaulted by a male juvenile. The investigation determined the juvenile victim had been sexually assaulted multiple times in 2022, by the male juvenile, while they were in a relationship. On March 22, 2023, a Juvenile Allegation was filed with Chester County Juvenile Probation for charges of rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.
Fugitive from justice
On March 17 at 11:19 a.m., officers were dispatched by Chester County Radio to assist Delaware State Police with a warrant service in the 700 Block of South Washington Street, Kennett Square Borough. Chester County Police Radio advised Delaware State Police is looking for Edgar Lemus-Camacho for a warrant involving spitting on a law enforcement officer and the warrant does have extradition approved. Contact was made with Lemus-Camacho at his residence. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Chester County Prison.
West Whiteland
Identity theft
The West Whiteland Police Department arrested Julian, Demario Emmanuel on Friday March 24, 2023. Julian is charged with the unlawful use of a credit card allegedly stolen during a theft from a motor vehicle.
West Chester
Drug charges
On March 23, 2023, at approximately 8:35am, West Chester Police responded to the area of the Giant Food Store, 698 Downingtown Pike, for the report of a retail theft in progress. The reporting party stated the male left the store and is walking toward Downingtown Pike. Officers made contact with Carlos Charriez, 39, of Philadelphia, in the 500 block of West Marshall Street. Positive identification was made from the reporting party and Charriez was placed under arrest. Charriez was charged with felony retail theft, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The items that were stolen and recovered were various allergy medications totaling over $600. Charriez was processed and transported to Chester County Prison awaiting arraignment.
Retail theft
On March 23, 2023 at approximately 4:15 p.m., the West Chester Police Department was dispatched to the Giant located at 698 Downingtown Pike for a report of a retail theft. Through investigation, it was determined that Kennedy Fields, 20, of Wyncote, PA and another subject stole items totaling over $300. Fields was taken into custody and was brought on station where she was processed and released. A hearing is pending.
Retail theft
On March 23, 2023 at approximately 4:15pm, the West Chester Police Department was dispatched to the Giant located at 698 Downingtown Pike for a report of a retail theft. Through investigation, it was determined that Terrance Booker, 22, of Philadelphia, PA and another subject stole items totaling over $300. Booker was taken into custody and was brought on station where he was processed and released.
Aggravated assault
On March 25 at 1:26 a.m., officers of the West Chester Police Department responded to the 100 block of E. Nields Street for a report of a fight. Upon arrival, officers found a victim suffering from severe facial and head injuries as a result of being struck with a beer bottle. Through investigation, James Anthony Jones, 20, of West Grove, was identified as the subject who struck the victim with the beer bottle. Jones was taken into custody without incident and transported to the West Chester Police Department where he was processed and charged with Aggravated Assault and related charges. A preliminary hearing is pending at District Court.
Drug charges
On March 26, 2023 at approximately 10:25 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Dean Street for the report of two individuals sitting in their vehicle smoking marijuana. Following an investigation, Andrew Verrier, 20, of Philadelphia was taken into custody for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Verrier was processed at the West Chester Police Department and released on summons.
Drug charges
On March 26, at 2:22 p.m., the West Chester Police conducted a traffic stop in the 50 block of W Gay St. As a result of the stop Jaylin Jackson, 20, from Philadelphia was taken into custody for possession of a small amount of marijuana and public drunkenness. Jackson was released on summons.
Receiving stolen property
On March 26, 2023, at approximately 10 a.m., officers initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of W Market Street. It was discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Philadelphia. The driver of the vehicle, Jacob Perkins, 19, from Philadelphia, was taken into custody for receiving stolen property.
Coatesville
Warrant
On March 23, 2023 just before 1 a.m., Coatesville Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of East Harmony Street on a gold Chevrolet Suburban. Police made contact with the driver, who was identified as Stephan Martin. Martin was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody with incident. Mr. Martin transported to the Coatesville Police station where he was held pending constable pickup.
Fugitive located, arrested
On March 23, 2023 the Coatesville City Police Detectives working with the US Marshall’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force Eastern Division who were able to locate Matthew Rodgers, 25, in the 200 block of West Pennsylvania Avenue in Downingtown. At approximately 6:20 a.m., Rodgers was taken into custody without incident and transported back to the City of Coatesville Police Department for processing and arraignment. Rodgers was arraigned by District Judge Martin Goch. Bail was set at $1 million cash. Rodgers is being held in Chester County Prison on a State Parole detainer and failing to post bail.
State police, Avondale
Shoplifting
A 20-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl face shoplifting charges after trying to steal $82 worth of cosmetic merchandise from the East Marlborough Township Walmart on March 24, police said.
