Police Briefs

Gun shots fired

According to Norristown police, at approximately 2 a.m. on Friday, March 18, there were shots fired from what sounded like Swede and Chestnut. Police said, upon further inspection, five gun shell casings were found in the street in front of 623 Swede St. Police reported a resident of 623 Swede St. was uncooperative and the shell casings were placed into evidence.

Robbery

Norristown police said that on March 17 at approximately 2 p.m., Mr. Ron Beato, 60, of 109 W. Wood St., reported walking west on the 00 block of W. Basin when three black males walked up behind him and began to bump him, then reached into his pocket and took $3. Police said Beato claims having seen the suspects with his son, Ron Beato, Jr., who is currently incarcerated and that there have been several occurrences of robbery by these same individuals since January.

According to police, Beato believes his son owes these suspects money from dealing drugs with them and the suspects are robbing him to repay his son’s debts. Police reported Beato later identified two of the three suspects.

Attempted burglary

Norristown police reported that on Thursday, March 17 between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., an unidentified person tried to gain entry to the apartment of Natubhai Patel at 1238 W. Washington St., Apt. B-11. Police said the entry was attempted by crushing the door handle using large pliers, but was prevented by the dead-bolt lock.

According to police, Mr. Patel’s translator, who resides across the hall in apartment B-7, reported that earlier in the week a large, tall, black male wearing a blue bandanna on his head was knocking on several apartment doors and that, when she answered the door, the unidentified male claimed to be looking for someone else.

Possession of illegal drugs

According to police, on March 18 a short time after midnight, officers approached a white Buick parked and occupied at the corner of Cherry and West Elm streets. Police said at the time of the officer’s approach, Khalil Burton, 18, of 546 McKinley St., in Philadelphia, exited the vehicle and, after claiming nothing was going on, ran north on Cherry St. Police reported Eric Pardo, 35, of 140 William Penn Dr., was found in the front passenger seat of the car with five packets of suspected crack cocaine, which later tested positively.

Police searched for the missing Burton and identified him on the 1000 block of Cherry St. According to the report, three officers pursued Burton on foot, finally cornering him in a fenced yard behind 14 West Elm St., an abandoned property. Police said the defendant resisted arrest but was eventually handcuffed. According to the report, officers discovered several wads of US currency on Burton’s person. Police reported later, at the station, a total of 94 bags of suspected cocaine, similar in appearance to those apprehended in the earlier arrest of the incident, were found concealed in Burton’s buttocks area. These substances later tested positively to be cocaine. Police said the preliminary weight was approximately 12 grams with an estimated street value of $1,200. Burton was charged with drug charges as well as loitering and prowling, resisting arrest and recklessly endangering three officers during the foot pursuit.

Cruelty to animals

According to Norristown police, officers reported to the residence of Carol Varga, 38, at 754 Sandy St., on Thursday, March 17 at 5:45 p.m. to serve a petition. Police said, upon arrival, they found a black, male, Dachshund dog with an injured leg and bloody abrasions on his stomach and rear legs locked in an outdoor closet. Police said they seized the animal and transported it to the SPCA for safekeeping and treatment. Police report that Varga was the only occupant of the residence and was sole owner of the animal.

Stolen bicycle

Norristown police said on Thursday, March 17, a multicolored bicycle was reported stolen. Police reported the theft occurred at 653 Chain St. on January 20, 2011.