Reading police have arrested two city teens on robbery and murder charges in the July 10 shooting of a 19-year-old man in City Park.
Investigators said witnesses told them that suspects chased the victim, Rafael Tinoco-Villagomez of Reading, after he found a stash of marijuana in the park during a scavenger hunt orchestrated via a social media app. The suspects were angry, they said, that Tinoco-Villagomez found the marijuana before they could, and one of them was heard yelling while in pursuit of the victim, “Just give it to me.”
Charged in the killing are Luis Rios, 18, of the 700 block of Bingaman Street and Jasir Escoto, 16, specific address unavailable.
Both are in Berks County Prison awaiting a hearing following their respective arraignments Thursday on charges of second- and third-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy.
Rios was jailed without bail following arraignment Thursday night before District Judge Priscilla Campos in Reading Central Court. Murder is not a bailable offense for adult defendants in Pennsylvania.
Escoto, who was charged as an adult, was arraigned Thursday afternoon by District Judge Carissa L. Johnson is being detained in lieu of $1 million bail.
Rafael Tinoco-Villagomez died in Reading Hospital after being shot about 9:30 p.m.
Friends and loved ones held a public vigil on July 12 at the Peace Dove sculpture in City Park to honor Tinoco-Villagomez and call for an end to gun violence in the city.
Source: Berkshire mont
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