POTTSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, September 15, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
On Thursday August 31, 2006, at approximately 3:17 pm, officers from the Pottstown Police Department were dispatched to a report of a fight in progress, between juveniles, in the area of North Franklin and West Streets. Upon police arrival the fight was over and no participants were identified.
Based on information received from uninvolved individuals in the area during the fight, Pottstown Detectives have identified two juvenile males who were involved. Follow-up investigations revealed that the day before, August 30th, one of the juveniles was walking home from the Pottstown Middle School when he was approached by the other and challenged to fight. He continued to walk away and the other juvenile punched him in the head. Still not wanting to fight, the young man continued to walk home.
At school dismissal, on the 31st, the juvenile who had been punched the day before was leaving the area in a vehicle when two of his relatives - TAWANA REDDICK and TOMACHELL UPSEY (information to follow) - called for him to exit the vehicle and to fight the juvenile who had previously struck him - at Franklin and West Sts. REDDICK and UPSEY then instigated a fight between the two juveniles at that location and at one point, REDDICK physically forced her relative to fight with the other juvenile. Witnesses indicate that both REDDICK and UPSEY created a physical barrier, holding the crowd back, preventing anyone from breaking up the fight while shouting words of encouragement to their relative. Witnesses also indicate that at one point, while both of the juveniles were on the ground, REDDICK began kicking one of the juveniles in his head and ribs.
Outraged by the behavior of REDDICK and UPSEY, Pottstown Police Chief Mark Flanders commented that "when all is said and done, I hope the courts punish both women in a way that counteracts the absolutely pathetic example of behavior they have set for the youth of this community. How can we expect these kids to do what is right, to be good citizens, when we have the likes of these two setting the standard."
Over the past years, and already this year, Pottstown Police are regularly called upon to quell disturbances in this area - as Pottstown Senior High School and Middle School students walk home from school. School District officials and the Police Department officials have met earlier this week and are cooperatively mapping out strategies to hopefully put an end to this behavior.
During the initial response to this fight call, a Pottstown Police car struck and injured a juvenile who was in the street on West St. near Washington St. - the juvenile was not involved in the fight. Pottstown Police Chief Mark Flanders commented that, "I don't for one second think that the fight was the cause of this accident. However, had the fight not occurred, the officer would most probably not have been in the area and the accident would not have happened."
ARRESTEE INFORMATION:
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TAWANA EBONY REDDICK (Age 29) 650 Chestnut St. Pottstown, PA Riot, Simple Assault, Endangering The Welfare of Children, Corruption of Minors, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Disorderly Conduct Remanded to MCCF in lieu of $5,000 Bail - Preliminary hearing scheduled for 09/22/2006 at 10:00 am before District Judge Durkin
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TOMACHELL R. UPSEY (Age 27) 351 N. Charlotte St. Pottstown, PA Riot, Simple Assault, Criminal Conspiracy, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Disorderly Conduct Remanded to MCCF in lieu of $5,000 Bail - Preliminary hearing scheduled for 09/22/2006 at 10:00 am before District Judge Durkin |
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Two Juvenile Males (No Further Information) Both Juveniles have been petitioned to Montgomery County Juvenile Court on charges of Riot and Simple Assault
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Copyright © 1999 Pottstown Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 15, 2006