Drunken-driving suspect waives preliminary hearing

A 31-year-old Reading-area man faces a possible trial on drunken-driving charges after he waived his hearing in district court April 5 before District Judge Timothy Dougherty.

West Reading police spotted the suspect driving carelessly and breaking several traffic laws about 1:57 a.m. Feb. 19 in the 500 block of Penn Avenue in the borough. Officers suspected he was drunk and also found a warrant for his arrest from Montgomery County.

The suspect was charged Feb. 27 and released March 21 pending his next court appearance. Charges of speeding, drunken driving and careless driving were all waived for court. A formal arraignment is scheduled later this month.

Wyomissing theft suspect waives preliminary hearing

A 48-year-old Reading man faces a possible trial for allegedly stealing a wallet from a business in Wyomissing. He waived his preliminary hearing Feb. 2.

Wyomissing police said he walked into an accounting firm about 10:29 a.m. Jan. 11 in the 1000 block of Berkshire Boulevard in the borough, and told the receptionist he wanted to invest some money. She left to get a coworker, and when she returned, both the supposed investor and her wallet were gone. Police found the suspect soon after at a store not far away, in the 1000 block of Woodland Road.

Charges of theft and receiving stolen property were waived for court. The suspect remains jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Woman arrested in West Reading fight waives preliminary hearing

A 21-year-old Wernersville woman who was arrested on New Year's Day following a fight in the 400 block of Penn Avenue in West Reading waived her preliminary hearing Jan. 23. She was charged with failing to disperse and disorderly conduct. She faces a formal arraignment next. Meanwhile, she remains in jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.

The man charged in the fight, a 25-year-old Temple resident, has a hearing set for February. He was released Jan. 9 after posting $5,000 bail.

Forgery suspect faces possible jury trial on fake prescription charges

A 27-year-old Sinking Spring woman waived her preliminary hearing July 26 on multiple charges of forging prescriptions for morphine, Soma and Vicodin. Wyomissing police charged the suspect following a three-month investigation into faked prescriptions given to pharmacies throughout Berks County.
All the charges -- 38 counts of forgery, 24 counts of theft by deception, 13 counts of identity theft, eight counts of receiving stolen property, 51 counts of violating the Pharmacy Act and three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and acquiring a controlled substance -- were waived to court.
She has been free on $25,000 bail since the charges were filed July 6.

Reading man faces trial on assault charges

A 59-year-old Reading man accused of beating a woman and locking her inside a car Oct. 20 at a West Reading gas station could face a trial on charges of simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and making terroristic threats. District Justice Timothy Dougherty held all charges for court at the man’s preliminary hearing Nov. 16. He remains jailed in lieu of $15,000 bail, according to court records.

Theft suspect could face jury trial

A 47-year-old Snydertown, Pa., man who police said hid stolen goods in a package behind a sign in West Reading waived his right to a preliminary hearing Nov. 9. Police didn't report what the stolen merchandise was, they found the suspect shortly after receiving a call in the afternoon of Oct. 23 of a suspicious package hidden behind a sign in the 700 block of Reading Avenue. The suspect still faces charges of retail theft, theft by deception and receiving stolen property. He was released on $5,000 bail.

Theft suspect waives preliminary hearing

A 40-year-old Philadelphia woman accused of shoplifting faces a possible jury trial on charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property. Wyomissing police arrested her Sept. 30 on suspicion of stealing merchandise from a store in the 1000 block of Woodland Road in the borough.

West Reading woman waives hearing on theft charges

A 45-year-old West Reading woman could face a trial on charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property after she waived her preliminary hearing Sept. 21. Wyomissing police arrested her July 27 on suspicion of shoplifting from the Berkshire Mall, in the 1600 block of State Hill Road in the borough.

Wernersville man could face trial on assault charge

A 22-year-old Wernersville man waived his preliminary hearing Sept. 14 on a single charge of simple assault. Wyomissing police arrested him Aug. 22 after a fight at a Wawa convenience store in the 2000 block of Museum Road. One witness said one of the people involved in the fight had a knife.