Two Arrested in Easton Grad's Killing

Two Berks County brothers have been charged with killing an Easton Area High School graduate on the streets of Reading in early December.

Michael Allen Wilkins, 39, and Maurice Adrian Wilkins, 32, both of Fleetwood, have been charged with killing Dario McLemore, 22, of Palmer Township, and another man, Rafael Alequin, in the 1100 block of Franklin Street, Reading.

They are also charged with kidnapping, torturing and killing Jennifer Velez-Negron, whose burned body was found dumped in Salisbury Township two days after Christmas. Police say the Wilkins brothers videotaped her torture with a cellphone.

McLemore, of Olde Penn Drive in Palmer Township, was discovered about 2:30 a.m. on Franklin Street in Reading seconds after shots were fired. 

McLemore—who was staying with friends in Reading—was found yards away from a van where another person was found shot to death.

He was a 2008 graduate of Easton Area High School.

The Berks County District Attorney and Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin held a press conference in the case.

Palmer Township Police Chief Larry Palmer said Tuesday that Berks County authorities had contacted the Palmer Township Police Department for information. He did not provide specifics.

The chief has previously stated that Reading police had been working with Palmer detectives on the case.

According to a release from the district attorney's office, Velez-Negron was said to have witnessed those Dec. 4 killings and to have been involved in a drug transaction that led to the murders.

The Wilkins brothers are charged with three counts of murder of the first degree, three counts of murder of the third degree, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, kidnapping and other charges.

Salisbury police had discovered Velez-Negron's body after a passing motorist reported a small fire on the side of Chestnut Hill Road the morning of Dec. 27. An autopsy revealed Velez-Negron died from suffocation and was set on fire.

Valez-Negron, 26, formerly of Reading, reportedly had been living with a friend in Salisbury. Her  prompting investigators to seek the public's help identifying her. They issued a description, including the detail that she bore a tattoo on the right side of her neck that said "Javi."