Police Briefs

Home Invasion

• According to reports from the , officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Kohn Street for a possible home invasion. Upon arrival, police spoke with the victim, who was waiting outside the residence. He stated he was watching television on the second floor when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. When he got up to open the door, he said a male kicked the door open and attacked him. The man was armed with a folding-style knife and immediately pushed the victim to the floor. The attacker then placed the knife to the back of the victim’s neck. The victim states he was able to get away and have a neighbor call 911. Police believe the invader may have entered a window where an air conditioner was observed pushed out. The only thing reported stolen from the residence was $30 from the victim’s wallet. A victim’s compensation form was provided. Read more about .

Armed Robbery

• A victim reported to police that she was at on the 00 block of East Lafayette Street with her four-year-old son Monday, Dec. 19, when she was robbed. She said the suspect was standing behind her while she was withdrawing $100 from her account. She said she took her money and walked towards the Norristown Transportation Center and the suspect followed her. She said she walked down the steps under the train tracks towards the south side parking lot. As she got to the bottom, the accused placed a silver revolver against her side and said, "Give me that money you just got, miss." The victim said she told her son to run upstairs and then gave the man the money. She said she sees the man at the Transportation Center a lot and thinks he may be homeless. She said she could identify him if she saw him again.

Aggravated Assault

• A victim went to the police department Saturday, Dec. 17, to report an assault the reportedly occurred the day before on Haws and Marshall streets. The stated two individuals allegedly jumped him after he confronted them about being disrespectful. He said he was punched and kicked as well as thrown to the ground before the alleged assailants ran away. The victim was transported to Montgomery Hospital where x-rays revealed a broken eye socket, broken left wrist, several broken ribs and a knee injury. He was treated, told he would need surgery and released. Copies of discharge papers from the hospital were given to police. The victim states the alleged assailants told him, "This ain’t over yet." The victim fears they may attack him again if he presses charges. A victim’s referral booklet was provided.

Burglary

• A victim reported to police that while he and his wife were out, someone kicked in their apartment door on the 1000 block of West Main Street. He said the burglar stole a Gibson guitar, a Marshall amplifier and cash. The total value of the items stolen is estimated to be $2,500 or more. Police noted that the front door had previous damage and was not securable. They also noted that the frame was cracked in half and the lower hinge broken off and that the damage appeared to have just happened. According to the report, the apartment did not seem to be rummaged through as there were numerous belongings and electronics not disturbed. Victim’s rights and compensation forms were issued to the victim. 

Public Drunkenness

• David J. Irwin, 20, of the 300 block of Ebony Court in Ambler, was charged with public drunkenness and purchase, possession and consumption of liquor Thursday, Dec. 15. Police were called to the 1800 block of Arch Street for a report of a disturbance. When police arrived, they came into contact with Irwin, who police claim had glassy eyes, slurred speech and odor of alcohol. He was taken into custody and transported to the police department where it was discovered he was underage for alcohol consumption.
• Christopher Scanlan, of the 1000 block of Forest Avenue, was charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct Thursday, Dec. 15. Scanlan was outside a residence on the 300 block of West Roberts Street, allegedly hanging on the doors and windows to get inside. The property owner said he had been staying there but was not welcome while reportedly intoxicated and disruptive as there are children in the house. Police state Scanlan was in the front yard throwing his belonging around. According to the report, he had an odor of alcohol, slurred speech and unsteady gait. Police claim his actions served no legitimate purpose. He was taken into custody and held until sober.

Disorderly Conduct

• Wanda Lainez, of the 100 block of Schuylkill Avenue, was charged with disorderly conduct Wednesday, Dec. 14. Police were dispatched to for a report of loud music. The reporting person said her neighbor has was allegedly playing her music loud enough that it was reportedly causing the furniture to shake in the victim’s apartment. While taking the report, police state they too heard the music. Lainez reportedly told police she was watching a movie and turned her surround sound up and allegedly said this is the second time authorities were called due to loud music coming form her apartment. She was advised of her violation and cited by mail for disorderly conduct.

Theft

• The bottom part of a rainspout was reported stolen from the 800 block of Buttonwood Street to police Thursday, Dec. 15. The victim states the theft occurred sometime during the previous overnight and is valued at $20. A victim’s compensation packet was issued.
• The president of , which is located on the 1000 block of West Main Street, went to the police department Thursday, Dec. 15, to report an alleged employee theft. He stated the employee was given a business credit card to use for purchasing fuel for company vehicles. The victim claims the accused used the card for excessive fuel transactions between June and December that were reportedly not the norm. The amount being disputed on the credit card is $2,318.13. A victim’s rights booklet and compensation packet were provided.
• A Sony car stereo and ACCESS card were reported stolen from a vehicle parked on the 700 block of Astor Street sometime during the Wednesday, Dec. 14 and Thursday, Dec. 15 overnight. The victim said someone broke her passenger window and took the items. Police state they observed the broken window and the dash ripped out where the stereo would be located. The victim was handed a victim’s rights and compensation forms.
• A white 1978 Pontiac Bonneville was reported stolen to police Thursday, Dec. 15. The victim told police the vehicle was parked behind his residence on the 500 block of Kohn Street. According to the report, the victim said he left the keys to the car on the driver seat. Upper Merion police contacted the Norristown Police Department Dec. 15. and stated the stolen vehicle was found on the 400 block of East Church Road in Upper Merion. The victim was contacted and provided information about his vehicle.
• A green 1998 Lincoln Navigator parked on the 600 block of West Main Street was reported stolen to police Monday, Dec. 19. The reporting person told police the vehicle belongs to his uncle who is in Mexico and does not know when he is returning. Police state the reporting person has keys to the vehicle and that 4 foot tire-skid marks were visible on the street where the car was parked.

Threat

• A victim reported to police that her ex-boyfriend called her and threatened to kill her Monday, Dec. 19. She told police she is afraid for her safety and wanted to press charges.

Harassment

• A resident of the 1100 block of Sterigere Street reported to police Monday, Dec. 19 that she is allegedly being harassed by her neighbor for weeks. She states he continually jumps out at her if she is in the hallway or at her doorway. He allegedly comments on her appearance in ways that make the victim feel uncomfortable. The victim says she is concerned her neighbor is unstable is afraid for her safety. A victim’s rights pamphlet was issued.

Fraud

• Police received a report from a Tacoria business manager Wednesday, Dec. 14, that bad checks were cashed at his shop on the 300 block of West Elm Street. The checks were cashed by various individuals between October and December for a combined total of $9,625. Copies of the checks and photo IDs used to cash the checks were provided to law enforcement. A victim’s rights and compensation packet were issued. 

Vandalism

• A victim reported to police that someone broke a window to his residence on the 800 block of West Main Street Sunday, Dec. 18. He stated he initially thought it was old and cracked but was told by his landlord it was smashed. There were no reported signs of entry and the victim received a victim’s rights pamphet.

Registration Seizure

• Police responded to a vehicle accident at Chain and Marshall streets Thursday, Dec. 15, and found a 2006 Dodge Charger had a suspended tag due to cancelled insurance. The tag was seized and vehicle towed. Addition information as to the vehicle’s involvement in the accident was not noted in the report.

Warrants

• Floyd Prince, of the 00 block of West Basin Street, turned himself in to the Norristown police station for an active warrant Thursday, Dec. 15. He was immediately transported to the sheriff’s office to be processed for the warrant.
• Marie V. Lewis, of the 500 block of Church Street, was arrested for an active criminal warrant Friday, Dec. 16. She was observed on the 00 block of East Elm Street and stopped by police who state they knew of the active warrant. She was taken into custody without incident and immediately arraigned. She was released on unsecured bail with a preliminary hearing date.

Police Information

• Vehicle passengers in a minivan on Dekalb and Basin streets flagged police down Thursday, Dec. 15, asking for directions to Tremont Avenue. One of the women in the vehicle told the officer she wanted to check on her father who lived on the 1200 block of Tremont Avenue. Her father has cancer and she believes he was being abused and neglected and wanted to go to his house and check on him. The individuals were escorted by police to the residence and told to wait outside while police spoke with the resident and his wife. Police advised the father his family was concerned for him and he willingly agreed to go with the family members to talk. According to the report, the father had no visible signs of being physically attacked.

If you have questions about these briefs, contact Norristown Patch Editor James Myers. Read more recent