PPD Press Release (08-03-2005)

Pottstown Police Department Chief Mark Flanders is pleased to announce that ROBERT AMIN HUFF, Jr. was arraigned this morning for the July 9^th attempted murder of another individual at West Walnut and Berks Sts.

Around 5:30 PM, July 9^th, Pottstown officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of West Walnut and Berks Sts. Police investigated the incident and, based upon information provided by a concerned citizen, located a vehicle that was riddled with bullet holes on it's drivers side in the parking lot of the Quality Inn.

Officers spoke with the vehicle operator, Kaseem Grosvenor (a NY City resident, staying with relatives in the Borough of Pottstown), and determined another vehicle had pulled up next to him at the intersection of Myrtle and West Walnut Sts. As Grosvenor turned onto West Walnut St., the other vehicle turned and followed him to the intersection of West Walnut and Berks Sts. The other vehicle pulled up beside him on his driver's side and the passenger of the other vehicle, an unidentified subject that he had a verbal disagreement with the day before (regarding a female), began firing shots at him from a handgun. At least five (5) bullets struck the driver's side of Grosvenor's vehicle, including the driver's door. Grosvenor fled from the scene of the shooting and drove to the Quality Inn where he encountered the officers.

Based upon a description of the suspect vehicle, during the early morning hours of July 10^th, a vehicle fitting that description was observed parked near the rear of 563 West St. That same day, officers observed a female subject exit 563 West St. who was later identified as the same individual that Grosvenor and the shooting suspect had previously had a verbal disagreement about.

During the early morning hours of Saturday July 16^th, members of the ChesMont Emergency Response Team (CMERT) executed a search warrant at 563 West St., in the Borough of Pottstown. CMERT was utilized because of information received regarding the propensity for violence and the nature of the investigation. The search warrant was developed as a result of an ongoing investigation, conducted by members of the Pottstown Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office Drug Task Force. Arrested in the July 16^th raid were ROBERT AMIN HUFF, Jr. and Erica Nicolle Swanson.

Aware that HUFF's physical appearance was consistent with that of the description provided by Grosvenor on the day of the shooting, detective's provided him (Grosvenor) with a photo array. Grosvenor reviewed the array and identified HUFF as the individual who shot at him.

Chief Flanders complimented the officers and detectives involved in the investigation, "This is another example of the professional quality of work that is performed by the police officers that serve our community. They worked together cooperatively and tirelessly, fitting the pieces together and making this arrest."

HUFF, who is still in MCCF as a result of his July 16^th arrest, was arraigned by District Justice John Durkin this morning on the below charges and was remanded back to MCCF in lieu of $250,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 11^th, at 1:15 PM, before District Justice Thomas Palladino.

ROBERT AMIN HUFF, Jr. (Age 25)

563 West St. Pottstown, PA

Criminal Attempt at Murder, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Attempt at Murder, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person (5 Counts), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Recklessly Endangering Another Person (5 counts), Persons Not to Possess Firearms, Firearms Not to Be Carried Without License, and Possessing Instruments of Crime.