PPD Press Release (07-20-05)

Pottstown Police Department Chief of Police Mark D. Flanders and Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor, Jr. are pleased to announce the arrests of four (4) more subjects during a High-Visibility Joint Drug Interdiction Initiative.

Officers from the Pottstown Police Department, members of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Drug Task Force, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET), and with helicopter surveillance and support provided by the Army National Guard's Counter Drug Initiative hit the streets Last night (07/19/2005). Chief Flanders indicates that, "The intent of last night's activities was to identify drug dealers in the Borough, disrupt their activities, and to make arrests in some instances - In others, the arrests were not made but evidence was gathered and intelligence was developed for future operations and/or arrests."

At approximately 7:50 PM officers observed a group of individuals gathered in front of 117 N. Franklin St., where it is posted that trespassing is prohibited. As officers approached the group, a subject fled and was taken into custody a short time later where he was identified as CRAIG DUREN (see below). Two bags of marijuana were recovered from where DUREN had been hiding after the area was searched by a police drug detection K9 unit. DUREN was charged with Criminal Trespass and violations of the Drug Act - Possession of a Small Amount of Marihuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

Around 8:30 PM officers located and arrested ERICA CASTRINOES (see below) in the 600 Block of Chestnut St. CASTRINOES was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for drug sales to an undercover operative in mid-June, in the 600 Block of Chestnut St. CASTRINOES was charged with violations of the Drug Act - Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, and Drug Paraphernalia.

At approximately 9:45 PM officers observed a group of individuals congregated around a vehicle on Walnut St., just east of Washington St. Based on prior knowledge of two of the subjects and their involvement in the drug trade, officers approached the group. LADANIEL VINSON (see below) identified himself as the owner of the vehicle. A police drug detection K9 unit conducted a search of the vehicle and located nine (9) bags of suspected marijuana, packaged for street sales. The drugs were seized and VINSON was arrested for violations of the Drug Act - Possession of Drugs, Possession With the Intent to Deliver, and Drug Paraphernalia.

Around 10:30 PM a Borough resident advised officers in the area of the 500 Block of Chestnut St. that a subject was riding a bicycle that had been previously stolen from them. A 13 year old Borough juvenile was located on the stolen bicycle at Warren and Chestnut Sts. As officers approached, the juvenile fled on the bicycle. Assisted with the illumination from the helicopter, police were able to apprehend the juvenile and recover the bicycle. The juvenile was charged with Receiving Stolen Property.

Again thanking District Attorney Castor for his continued support and the Army National Guard for their assistance, Chief Flanders reiterated his earlier comments, "As this initiative moves forward and as these investigations continue to unfold, there will be more arrests to come."

CRAIG ANTHONY DUREN (Age 25)

262 King St. (Apt. 718) Pottstown, PA

Charges: Criminal Trespass and violations of the Drug Act - Possession of a Small Amount of Marihuana and Drug Paraphernalia

Arraigned by DJ Palladino and Released on $3,000 Unsecured Bail

Preliminary Hearing - 08/09/2005 at 9:00 AM at DJ Palladino's

ERICA DANYELLE CASTRINOES (Age 20)

1984 E. Main St. Douglassville, PA

Drug Act - Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Delivery, and Drug Paraphernalia

Arraigned by DJ Durkin and Remanded to MCCF in Lieu of $20,000 (10%) Cash Bail

Preliminary Hearing - 07/28/2005 at 1:45 PA at DJ Durkin's

LADANIEL STEVEN VINSON (Age 19)

382 New St. Pottstown, PA

Possession of Drugs, Possession With the Intent to Deliver, and Drug Paraphernalia.

Arraigned by DJ Durkin and Remanded to MCCF in Lieu of $5,000 Cash Bail

Preliminary Hearing - 07/29/2005 at 9:15 AM at DJ Durkin's