POTTSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE - Friday, September 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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 five (5) subjects (see below information regarding arrestees) after 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), served two search warrants at separate locations in the Borough earlier this week. In addition to the arrests, police seized two handguns along with an excess of $2,750 in drug activity related U.S. currency, more than seventy (70) grams of suspected cocaine (approximate street value = $3,400), and more than forty-five (45) grams of suspected marihuana (approximate street value = $480). These arrests and seizures were made as part of an ongoing High-Visibility Joint Drug Interdiction Initiative in the Borough.
The first was on Tuesday (09/20/2005) evening at 428 May Street. Officers responded to a report of gunshots in the 400 Block of May Street. While checking for possible victims, witnesses, and/or offenders officers observed suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia inside of 428 May Street. Officers secured the residence and obtained a search warrant. Seized during the search were approximately twenty-four (24) grams of suspected cocaine (Approximate Street Value $1,400), approximately forty-eight (48) grams of suspected marihuana (Approximate Street Value $480), a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, more than $2,500 in US currency, a scale, paraphernalia and drug packaging items.
Items seized from 428 May St.
Police arrested and charged KEVIN GORE (See Below) with Drug Act Violation charges and Criminal Conspiracy. Additionally, warrants have been issued for AARON GRIFFIN (See Below) and JEFFERY HINE (See Below) charging them with Drug Act Violations and Criminal Conspiracy. Chief Flanders asks that anyone having information regarding the whereabouts of GRIFFEN and/or HINE, "Contact us at 610-970-6570 or by email.
The second search warrant was served last evening (Thursday - 09/22/2005) at 448 King Street. After police made "controlled buys" of suspected crack cocaine at the King St. residence, a search warrant was obtained and served at that location. Seized during the search were approximately fifty (50) grams of suspected cocaine (Approximate Street Value $2,000), a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun (previously reported stolen in Philadelphia), more than $350 in US currency, paraphernalia and drug packaging items.
Items seized from 448 King St.
Police arrested and charged JOSEPH HAMPTON (See Below) and RODERICK HARRIS (See Below) with Drug Act Violation charges, Criminal Conspiracy, and Receiving Stolen Property. HAMPTON was additionally charged with a Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Resisting Arrest, and Aggravated Assault By a Prisoner after he fought with police in an attempt to escape arrest - resulting in minor injuries to a Pottstown Police Officer.
Thanking District Attorney Bruce L. Castor, Jr. for his continued support, Chief Flanders states that, "These search warrants are part the next phase of our high-visibility activities." Flanders indicates that, "Based on information received from informants, from intelligence that officers have been gathering during other high-visibility activities - both on the street and from air surveillance - and along with good police work, we are now beginning to target locations where drugs are being processed and stored for street sales." Flanders promises that, "There are more searches and arrests to come as we continue to push forward with this initiative."
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KEVIN GORE (Age 18) 428 May St.. Pottstown, PA Drug Act Violations: Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Conspiracy Remanded to MCCF in Lieu of $25,000 Bail |
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ARRON GRIFFIN (Age 19) 428 May St. Pottstown, PA Drug Act Violations: Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Conspiracy *** WANTED*** Arrest Warrant Issued *** WANTED*** |
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JEFFREY HINE (Age 19) 428 May St. Pottstown, PA Drug Act Violations: Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Conspiracy *** WANTED*** Arrest Warrant Issued *** WANTED*** |
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RODERICK HARRIS (Age 21) 209 Dekalb St. (1st Floor) Norristown, PA. Drug Act Violations: Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Conspiracy, and Receiving Stolen Property Remanded to MCCF in Lieu of $50,000 Bail |
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JOSEPH HAMPTON (Age 24) 47 East Elm St. Norristown, PA. Drug Act Violations: Possession, and Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Conspiracy, Receiving Stolen Property, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Resisting Arrest, and Aggravated Assault By a Prisoner Remanded to MCCF in Lieu of $50,000 Bail |
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Revised: September 23, 2005
