Arrest Made In Two Burglaries

On July 19, Limerick police arrested James M. Murray, Jr., 23, of 1283 Township Line Road, Royersford, and under questioning, Murray admitted to committing where cash, jewelry and an antique handgun were stolen. 

Earlier in the day, Officer Brian Tyler stopped Murray, whose backpack contained a hammer and a screwdriver. Murray told Tyler than the tools were from a trade program he is involved in. 

Tyler continued surveillance on Murray, according to a press release from police chief William Albany, while police contacted Murray's probation officer. Tyler saw Murray exit his house and go to a wooded area nearby.

Murray then allegedly approached Tyler, wielding a hammer. Tyler reported that he felt threatened and drew his weapon, ordering Murray to the ground.

Investigation at the scene showed that Murray had allegedly been in the process of hiding jewelry wrapped in plastic bags. The stolen antique gun was also recovered.

Upon searching Murray, Officer Christopher Iochum discovered a baggie that later tested positive for marijuana.

Murray was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer; additional charges are still pending. Bail was set at $10,000 cash. Murray is currently in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. 

The Limerick Police Department responded to 176 other incidents between July 16-22.

Officer Kevin McGuigan was called to Limerick Bowl on July 17 around 3:30p.m. for a report of a physical dispute in the parking lot. 

When McGuigan arrived, he reported, he found the female victim standing near her car in the parking lot. The victim told police that she and Walter M. Cotton, Jr., 26, of 369 North Evans Street in Pottstown, had been arguing in the car.

The victim said she pulled over into the Limerick Bowl parking lot to try to get herself and her 1-year-old son out of the car. 

Cotton allegedly grabbed her as she tried to exit the car. McGuigan observed scratches on her back and legs. 

Cotton was arrested, charged with simple assault, and remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail pending a preliminary hearing. 

Police also arrested another man for drug possession on July 21. 

Jason Robert Baldwin, 33, a resident of Reading, was arrested at a family member's home in the Ridge View Terrace mobile home park on Ridge Pike. 

The family member had called police earlier the same day, and while enroute to the second call, Officer John Henry was advised that Baldwin was the subject of a bench warrant and was on parole.

When police arrived at the relative's home, Baldwin fled police and was stopped with a taser. Police searched him and found over $800 in cash and six baggies of what later tested as heroin in his pockets. 

Baldwin was arrested, charged with narcotics possession and sent to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.