A Reading man was arrested Sunday night at Newark Liberty International Airport as he prepared to board a flight to the Dominican Republic, more than 12 hours after police say he fatally shot a man in the 1400 block of North Fifth Street.
Federico Perez Polanco, 43, was taken into custody through a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Transportation Security Administration, the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
According to Reading police:
At about 3:40 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to the 1400 block of North Fifth Street for a reported shooting. They found a 32‑year‑old Reading man with multiple gunshot wounds. Reading Fire Department officials determined he was dead.
A deputy with the Berks County coroner’s office pronounced the victim dead at 8:37 a.m. His name was withheld.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Reading Hospital.
Criminal investigators identified Perez Polanco as the suspect. They determined he fled to New Jersey after the shooting and booked an evening flight to the Dominican Republic.
Perez Polanco was arrested while waiting to board the flight. He remains in custody in New Jersey, awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania on first‑degree murder charges.
Mayor Eddie Moran, in a statement, praised the swift work of law enforcement and offered condolences to those affected.
The investigation is ongoing. Tips can be made to Reading police at 610-655-6116, or via Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line, 877-373-9913. Tips may also be sent via text, using the keyword “alert berks,” to 847411. Crime Alert will pay a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.