NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
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WOMEN CHARGED IN THEFT OF GUN THAT KILLED IVY CHAMBERS; TWO HOME INVADERS ALSO SEPARATELY CHARGEDMayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that city police have charged two women in the theft of the handgun used in the Ivy Chambers accidental shooting, and separately are charging two men for an October 2 home invasion. Arrests have also been made in separate theft and drug dealing incidents, and police are looking for another man in a Saturday morning shooting incident. Reed said 20-year old Laquinda Vasser-Hodge, of the 300 block of Lincoln Street in Carlisle, and her sister, 19-year old Lapricia Hodge, of the 1900 block of Chestnut Street in Harrisburg, have both been charged in connection with the theft of the .40 cal. Smith and Wesson that 15-year old Ivy Chambers accidentally shot himself with on October 9. Vasser-Hodge was the former paramour of a man who lives in the 1800 block of Penn Street, whose home she burglarized with her sister following their break-up. Vasser-Hodge’s sister Lapricia is the person who actually took the weapon from the home and then allegedly sold it. Police do not yet know who she sold it to or how it ended up in Chamber’s possession, but police are sure that it was the same weapon based upon its serial number. The Mayor said Vasser-Hodge is now charged with a single count of burglary, while her sister Lapricia Hodge is charged with a single count of Theft. Additional charges are possible against both. Separately, the Mayor also announced today that two men are being charged in connection with an October 2, 2006 home invasion in the 200 block of Hummel Street. Now charged with single counts each of Robbery, Simple Assault, Burglary, Drug law and weapons violation is 25-year old Barron E. Walker, of the 1500 block of Berryhill Street. Police are also searching for his accomplice, Edward B.Barnes, age 28, of the 1400 block of Berryhill Street, on charges of Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Reckless Endangerment and Carrying a Firearm without a License. Reed said the incident began in the 200 block of Hummel Street when Walker and Barnes knocked on the apartment door of a 42-year old female victim and her boyfriend, 49-year old Juan Ramon Rodriguez. The pair of intruders burst through the door when Rodriguez opened it and demanded money from the two occupants. A struggle ensued between Rodriguez and Walker with the victim grabbing an axe and repeatedly striking Walker with it, causing severe lacerations. Barnes then opened fire on Rodriguez, striking him once in the leg, and both attackers then fled the apartment. The female victim sustained minor bruising during the attack. Police were summoned to the scene minutes later on reports of gunshots, and found Walker stumbling down the street, severely bleeding from a major head wound. Walker told police he had just been attacked and robbed. Barnes was nowhere to be seen. A short time later Rodriguez and his paramour came out of their home and told police the real story. Walker was subsequently arrested and taken to Harrisburg Hospital, where he remained in ICU for several days as a result of his head injuries. Police have also charged Rodriguez with multiple counts as a result of their investigation, including Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and he also faced two outstanding warrants for his arrest stemming from previous and unrelated convictions. Both Rodriguez and Walker remain in custody at the Dauphin County Prison, and Barnes remains at-large. Reed said city police have also arrested several persons on theft and drug related crimes, including 19-year old Ronnell J. Banks, of M.W. Smith Homes, and a 15-year old male juvenile from the 800 block of N. 16th Street. The pair were spotted by city police while driving a Dodge Neon stolen from a Swatara Township location around 3:30 a.m. on October 10, 2006, near S. 14th and Vernon Streets on Allison Hill. Banks has subsequently been charged with a single count of Receiving Stolen Property, while the 15-year old, who was driving the stolen vehicle, has been charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Drug Possession, curfew violation and other charges. Taken into custody without incident, the pair are also being investigated for a robbery that occurred near S. 13th and Thompson Streets a short time before their arrests. The Mayor said city police have also arrested 29-year old Dawn Marie Drake, of the 1400 block of Berryhill Street, on drug possession charges, after police observed her rolling a marijuana joint while she was parked inside a vehicle near S. 13th and Market Streets just after 11:30 p.m. on October 13, 2006. Drake is being charged with single counts each of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also arrested on drug charges is 21-year old Ramy M. Bekhiet, of the 5000 block of Wynnwood Rd. in Lower Paxton Township. Bekhiet was standing near the Federal Building at N. 3rd and Walnut Streets in downtown around 10:30 p.m. last Thursday night when he sold two bags of marijuana to an undercover police officer, who promptly placed him under arrest. Bekeit has now been charged with a single count of Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana. Reed said city police are searching for 41-year old Willie Wellington, no known address, as a result of a 5:45 a.m. Saturday morning shooting incident in Hall Manor. A 43-year old male victim was asleep in bed with Wellington’s former paramour when the suspect burst into the bedroom, and opened fire on the victim as he fled the apartment. The victim was shot once in the posterior and fled naked from the Hall Manor area, ending up at the AM-PM Store at 19th and Paxton Streets, where police were initially summoned. A passerby gave the victim clothing to wear and he was subsequently taken to an area hospital for treatment. Wellington meanwhile physically assaulted the former girlfriend and stole a large amount of cash from the victim’s pants pocket, which had been left behind during his hasty exodus from the apartment. Wellington now faces Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Burglary, Theft and multiple firearm violation charges. |
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