Murder Suspect Caught at NJ Airport Before Flight to Dominican Republic

A 43-year-old Reading, PA man was arrested at a New Jersey airport Sunday while attempting to flee to the Dominican Republic after a fatal shooting.

Reading Homicide Suspect Nabbed at Gate Before Departure to Dominican Republic

A 43-year-old man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Reading, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody at a New Jersey airport Sunday evening as he prepared to board a flight to the Dominican Republic, cbsnews.com reports.

Federico Perez Polanco faces a first-degree murder charge in relation to a shooting on the 1400 block of North 5th Street in Reading at approximately 3:40 a.m. A 32-year-old man was struck by multiple gunshots and pronounced dead at the scene by responding medics.

Polanco allegedly fled to New Jersey following the shooting and booked a flight scheduled to depart Sunday night. A coordinated operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Transportation Security Administration intercepted him at the airport before he could board. He is currently awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

Reading Mayor Eddie Morán credited law enforcement partners with a swift response. "I want to thank the members of the Reading Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners for their quick and coordinated efforts to locate and apprehend the suspect," Morán said in a statement. He added that the victim's family remains in the thoughts of the city as they cope with "this unimaginable loss."

The Reading Police Department is asking anyone with information about the fatal shooting to come forward and make contact with investigators.

Source: Google News DM — Crime