CHARGES:  Aggravated Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Conspiracy   

DEFENDANT #2:  Ejau Collazo, Allentown, PA (18 years of age)

CHARGES:  Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Conspiracy

DETAILS OF INCIDENT:

On July 14, 2022, the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives were notified that uniformed on-duty Reading Police Officers were involved in a shooting.

The Berks County District Attorney Detectives’ Office assumed the lead investigative role in this Officer(s) Involved Shooting pursuant to District Attorney John T. Adams’ protocol to have an independent agency investigate police officer shootings. The investigation yielded the following information:

In the early morning hours of Thursday, July 14, 2022, the Reading Police Department received several calls reporting a theft in progress in the 200 block of South 5^th Street, Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was reported that multiple subjects were attempting to steal catalytic converters from vehicle(s) parked in and around this location. 

Reading Police Department Officers responded to the area to investigate these complaints and observed three (3) males at this location. One of these males was observed to be holding, what appeared to be, a saw or car jack. The three males then entered a black Honda Accord and fled from the scene.    

Members of the Reading Police Department activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop this vehicle. The Honda Accord failed to comply, and a pursuit ensued. This pursuit continued throughout Reading City, before entering westbound Route 422 and then onto eastbound Route 12. The vehicle later exited Route 12 at the River Road Exit where it came to a stop after entering a dead-end roadway.   

As officers exited their marked vehicle and gave verbal commands, the occupants of this vehicle failed to comply with the commands and sped towards one of the officers. One officer discharged their duty weapon at this vehicle.  

The vehicle then struck a marked patrol car but was able to flee from this location and eventually came to a stop in the 4000 block of River Road, Muhlenberg Township. The operator and rear passenger were taken into custody by the pursuing police units. The front seat passenger fled on foot and has not been apprehended.

No police officers were injured during this incident.

The driver, Tyvan Barnett, was taken to Tower Health – Reading Hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his leg.

Ejau Collazo was taken to Berks County Central Booking, where he was arraigned and bail was set at $75,000. Bail was posted on July 14, 2022.

Tyvan Barnett was then arraigned and bail was set at $175,000. He is currently in Berks County Jail awaiting further court proceedings.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Berks County Detectives at 610-478-7171. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident may submit an anonymous tip to Crime Alert Berks County by either calling (877) 373-9913, downloading the ALERTBERKS app on your mobile device, or via text message using your mobile phone and typing ALERTBERKS along with your tip to 847411.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.