126K+ Lose Power, 1 Killed, Flights Grounded, Trains Delayed, Roads Closed As Winds Slam PA
Fierce winds ripped through Pennsylvania from Sunday, Feb. 16, into Monday, Feb. 17, toppling trees, knocking out power to 126,000 people, shutting down roads, and causing deadly destruction. A woman was killed when a tree crushed her car in Philadelphia, flights were grounded, trains delayed, and thousands remain in the dark as crews scramble to repair the damage.
Widespread Power Outages
Powerful winds up to 60 miles per hour knocked out electricity for 126,000 PECO customers at its peak, with 42,210 still without power as of 11:45 a.m. Monday, according to the company. PECO reported 1,642…
Montgomery County Court Records Tampered With, Stolen By 2 Staffers, DA Says
Two longtime Montgomery County court employees are accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cash payments for traffic and parking violations while altering court records to cover their tracks, prosecutors announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Lisa Anne Shopa, 58, of Havertown, and Patricia Althouse, 54, of Ardmore, worked at Magisterial District Court 38-1-07 in Lower Merion Township, where they allegedly manipulated payment records and pocketed fines, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said in a release.
The alleged thefts surfaced during an internal review that began in S…
Hershey Outlet Burglar Caught In Lebanon With $10K In Stolen Jackets, Stolen Car: Police
A Philadelphia man accused of a multi-state smash-and-grab spree spanning Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey has been arrested after allegedly burglarizing multiple outlet stores, stealing tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise, and driving a stolen car, authorities announced on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Timothy Eugene Root, 58, was charged with felony burglary, felony theft, felony retail theft, misdemeanor criminal mischief, misdemeanor possession of an instrument of crime, and receiving stolen property, police said.
Derry Township officers responded to the Polo Ralph Lauren…
Death Row Inmate Tam Le, Who Murdered Brothers, Found Dead In Pennsylvania Prison
Tam Le, a convicted murderer sentenced to death for the brutal killings of two Philadelphia brothers, was found unresponsive in his cell at the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix, officials announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
SCI Phoenix Superintendent Joseph Terra said prison staff and medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but Le, 53, was pronounced dead at 7:23 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
Le was sentenced to death in December 2016 for the 2014 killings of brothers Vu “Kevin” Huynh, 31, and Viet Huynh, 28. Authorities said Le, a member of the Vietnamese gang "Born to Kill…
North Wales Dad Stole $43K From Softball Non-Profit While Raising $25K+ From GoFundMe DA
A North Wales man is accused of stealing over $43,000 from a youth baseball and softball organization while serving as its vice president of finance, Montgomery County officials announced Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Christopher Pekula, 49, was charged with multiple felonies, including Theft by Unlawful Taking and Theft by Deception, following an investigation into his handling of the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association's (MTBSA) finances. The alleged thefts took place from October 2018 to October 2023, authorities said.
The investigation began on April 8, 2024, when new board members…
Inmate's Norristown Murder-For-Hire Plot Using Instagram Foiled
A Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF) inmate and a Norristown man are accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting the inmate’s former girlfriend, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Zunir Wilson-Walker, 22, and Jadan Uriah Jones, 20, are charged with criminal solicitation of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and criminal use of a communications facility. Wilson-Walker faces additional charges, including terroristic threats, stalking, simple assault, and strangulation related to his ex-girlfr…
Lower Merion Murder Suspects Ran Sophisticated Gun Trafficking Ring Using 3-D Printers: DA
Eight suspects, including three Philadelphia-area men charged with murder, are accused of running a 3D-printed gun trafficking ring connected to a fatal shooting on Meredith Road in the Wynnewood section of Lower Merion Township, authorities said.
The December 9, 2024, killing was just one piece of a sprawling illegal firearms operation carried out by Charles Fulforth, 41, of Jenkintown; Kelvin Roberts, 42, of Philadelphia; Jeremy Fuentes, 26, of Philadelphia; Aaron Hiller, 24; Marcus Lee Jackson, 33; Jonathan Rodriguez, 26; Corry K. Simpson, 38; and Frances Staten, 38, according to Montgome…
Manhunt Ends! Third Murder Suspect Arrested 1 Month After Lower Merion Home Invasion
A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the deadly Lower Merion home invasion that left one man dead and his mother critically injured, Montgomery County officials announced Friday, Jan. 24.
Jeremy Fuentes, 26, of Philadelphia, is charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit burglary for his alleged role in the Dec. 8, 2024, attack that killed 25-year-old Andrew Gaudio and severely injured his mother, 61-year-old Bernadette Gaudio.
Prosecutors allege Fuentes, an employee of Junkluggers, provided key information about the Gaudios' h…
