Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
Off-Duty Police Officer Airlifted In Norristown Shooting Off-Duty Police Officer Airlifted In Norristown Shooting
Off-Duty Police Officer Airlifted In Norristown Shooting An off-duty police officer was airlifted to a local hospital after being shot while attempting to resolve an argument in Norristown Wednesday morning, authorities said. Anthony Marano, a West Norriton Township Police Department officer, was driving down East Airy Street and Dekalb Street in his personal car around 9:50 a.m. when he noticed a "black male arguing with a black female," according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Marano and the man, later identified as 18-year-old Otis Kendrick of Philadelphia, got into an argument, during which Kendrick punched the side…

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
Off-Duty Police Officer Airlifted In Norristown Shooting Off-Duty Police Officer Airlifted In Norristown Shooting
Off-Duty Police Officer Airlifted In Norristown Shooting An off-duty police officer was airlifted to a local hospital after being shot while attempting to resolve an argument in Norristown Wednesday morning, authorities said. Anthony Marano, a West Norriton Township Police Department officer, was driving down East Airy Street and Dekalb Street in his personal car around 9:50 a.m. when he noticed a "black male arguing with a black female," according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Marano and the man, later identified as 18-year-old Otis Kendrick of Philadelphia, got into an argument, during which Kendrick punched the side…

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Obituaries
Norristown Dad Dies Unexpectedly At 44 Norristown Dad Dies Unexpectedly At 44
Norristown Dad Dies Unexpectedly At 44 Norristown resident Brian Olenek died unexpectedly on Oct. 23. He was 44. Olenek worked as a physical education teacher in Delaware's Brandywine School District before moving into construction, according to a GoFundMe in his name. The page raised nearly $5,000 as of Nov. 9. He leaves behind his fiance, Tara Gleim, and their children. The Hazelton born man was remembered as an avid wrestler with an infectious personality, organizer Jamie Tomasko wrote. Memorial services were not made public. Click here to donate.

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
2nd Suspect In Deadly Pottstown Shooting Nabbed By Police 2nd Suspect In Deadly Pottstown Shooting Nabbed By Police
2nd Suspect In Deadly Pottstown Shooting Nabbed By Police A suspect wanted for his role in the deadly shooting of a 27-year-old man in Pottstown last month was nabbed by police Wednesday, authorities said. Police spotted Eric Baker, 26, of Norristown, driving a Toyota 4-Runner in Pottstown, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. The car was fleeing eastbound on Route 422, and police were unable to stop it, authorities said. Baker was arrested without incident late Wednesday afternoon in a Norristown home by detectives. He was in possession of a .22 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number at the time of his arres…

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
US Marshals Nab 1 Of 4 Men Wanted In Deadly Pottstown Shooting US Marshals Nab 1 Of 4 Men Wanted In Deadly Pottstown Shooting
US Marshals Nab 1 Of 4 Men Wanted In Deadly Pottstown Shooting UPDATE: Police nabbed 26-year-old Eric Baker on Wednesday after he was spotted driving a Toyota 4-Runner in Pottstown. Authorities are still searching for two other men on first-degree murder charges -- Samir Bentley, 20, and Ahmed Mohammed, 16, both of Philadelphia. ORIGINAL: One of four men being sought for the deadly shooting of a 27-year-old man in Pottstown was captured by members of the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities announced Wednesday. Authorities declined to provide any information about 22-year-old Dajon Harrison's arrest other than the fact that he was apprehended by member…

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by Nicole Acosta
Bristol, PA
Police & Fire
Details Released In Killing Of NJ Pharma CEO Followed Home By Gunman From PA Casino: Reports Details Released In Killing Of NJ Pharma CEO Followed Home By Gunman From PA Casino: Reports
Details Released In Killing Of NJ Pharma CEO Followed Home By Gunman From PA Casino: Reports Authorities have released additional details in the harrowing killing of a New Jersey man followed home from a Pennsylvania casino last month. Sree Ranga Aravapalli, 54, was followed nearly 50 miles to his Plainsboro home from Parx Casino, and shot dead in what law enforcement is calling a "robbery gone wrong" on Briardale Court Oct. 26. Aravapalli -- the CEO of pharmaceutical company Aurex Labs -- died of multiple gunshot wounds over nearly $10,000 in gambling winnings, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said. Jekai-Reid John, 27, of Norristown, PA, was arrested in c…

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by Cecilia Levine
Edison, NJ
News
2nd PA Fugitive Arrested In Death Of Plainsboro, NJ, Man After Following Him Home From Casino 2nd PA Fugitive Arrested In Death Of Plainsboro, NJ, Man After Following Him Home From Casino
2nd PA Fugitive Arrested In Death Of Plainsboro, NJ, Man After Following Him Home From Casino A second Pennsylvania fugitive has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Central Jersey man, authorities said. Devon Melchor, 26, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, was charged with first-degree armed robbery and second-degree conspiracy to commit armed robbery, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Plainsboro Police Chief Fred Tavener. Melchor was taken into police custody by authorities in Florida where he was attempting to board an international flight, Ciccone and Tavener said. Melchor’s apprehension was made possible by collabor…

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by Jon Craig
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
Two More Arrest Warrants Issued In Deadly Pottstown Shooting Two More Arrest Warrants Issued In Deadly Pottstown Shooting
Two More Arrest Warrants Issued In Deadly Pottstown Shooting Two more arrest warrants have been issued in connection with a Saturday shooting in Pottstown that killed a 27-year-old man, bringing the total number of wanted men to four, authorities said. Warrants for 22-year-old Daijon Harrison and 16-year-old Ahmad Mohammed, both of Philadelphia, on first-degree murder and related charges were filed Thursday, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Previously, arrest warrants were issued for Samir Bentley, 20, of Philadelphia, and Eric Baker, 26, of Norristown, who are still being sought. (L-R): Eric Baker and Samir Bentley…

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
PA Gunman Followed NJ Man Home Then Shot Him Dead, Prosecutor Says PA Gunman Followed NJ Man Home Then Shot Him Dead, Prosecutor Says
PA Gunman Followed NJ Man Home Then Shot Him Dead, Prosecutor Says A Pennsylvania man is accused of following a 54-year-old New Jersey resident home and then shooting him dead at his house, authorities said Wednesday. Jekai Reid- John, 27, of Norristown, PA followed Sree Aravapalli, to his home in Plainsboro and then shot him dead around 3:40 a.m. on Oct. 26, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Fred Tavener said. Aravapalli was transported from the scene to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Reid-John was arrested and charged yesterday with one count of first-degree murder.  Aravpalli had been at a casino bef…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
Norristown School Board President Resigns Following Student Sexting Allegations Norristown School Board President Resigns Following Student Sexting Allegations
Norristown School Board President Resigns Following Student Sexting Allegations A Norristown school board president accused of sending "sexually suggestive messages" to a teenage student has resigned, officials said. Shae Ashe's lawyers announced the news in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “Mr. Ashe takes the concerns of his constituents very seriously. He denies any wrongdoing and points out that all allegations have been rumors, and nothing more," the statement reads. "He is ready to co-operate in any investigation. He encourages the public to allow a proper investigation so everyone who wants to be heard has their opportunity. Only then can we fairly form opinions.…

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
Arrest Warrants Issued For Two Men In Deadly Pottstown Shooting Arrest Warrants Issued For Two Men In Deadly Pottstown Shooting
Arrest Warrants Issued For Two Men In Deadly Pottstown Shooting The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office has issued arrest warrants for two men in connection with a Saturday shooting in Pottstown that killed a 27-year-old man. Samir Bentley, 20, of Philadelphia, is wanted on charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and possessing an instrument of crime. Eric Baker, 26, of Norristown is wanted on charges of aggravated assault, a person not to possess a firearm and recklessly endangering another person.  Officers arrived at 429 E. High St. around 8:30 p.m. and discovered Robert Stiles lying on the sidewalk wi…

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by Nicole Acosta
Lower Merion-Narberth, PA
Police & Fire
Norristown School President Under Fire For 'Sexually Suggestive' Messages To Student: Report Norristown School President Under Fire For 'Sexually Suggestive' Messages To Student: Report
Norristown School President Under Fire For 'Sexually Suggestive' Messages To Student: Report A Norristown school board president is under fire for allegedly sending "sexually suggestive" messages to a teenage student, according to a report by Delaware Valley Journal. Shae Ashe, 31, reportedly sent a dozen social media messages to a then-17-year-old girl, even suggesting they meet up. The girl's mother exclusively shared screenshots of the Instagram messages with the news outlet. "If only you were 18," one message says, and "What do I get in return?" as a follow-up to offering to pay for the girl's nails, according to the outlet. The girl's mother told Delaware Valley Journal that…

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by Nicole Acosta