Three suspects already in custody in the kidnapping and disappearance of a Lebanon County man now face murder charges after Berks County prosecutors determined the victim was killed.
Reading police on July 16 amended the complaints to include second- and third-degree murder charges on top of the aggravated assault, kidnapping and conspiracy charges.
The murder suspects, Gerson Caicedo, 21, of Leesport; Khalil Nein, 20, of Reading; and Jazmeire Brockington, 18, of Reading, were arraigned on the amended charges Tuesday before District Judge Tonya Butler, who denied them bail.
The defendants had been held in Berks County Jail on $500,000 bail each since their arrests in mid-June.
District Attorney John T. Adams said Friday that the charges were upgraded because investigators believe the victim, 23-year-old Michael Petrino Jr., is dead, despite being unable to find his body.
“We’ve done some exhaustive searches but have yet to locate the body,” Adams said. “We are hoping that someone out there can give us some information that may lead us to the body.”
Three juveniles have been charged as adults for their alleged role in the abduction. They remain in custody.
Petrino was reported missing to Western Lebanon police on March 27 by his father, who said he last saw his son on March 21.
According to investigators:
Authorities in Lebanon County determined Petrino had been frequenting the Reading area before he vanished, and Reading police assumed the lead in the case.
A few days after his disappearance, Petrino’s rented Jeep Compass was found abandoned in the 1200 block of Muhlenberg Street. The vehicle was towed and processed for evidence.
During the early morning hours of March 25, Petrino was lured to the area of North Second and Oley streets by three juvenile males — a 17‑year‑old identified in court records as “Witness 1,” a 16‑year‑old identified as “Witness 2,” and Amir Frazier, 16, of Muhlenberg Township — who were traveling in Petrino’s rented Jeep.
Information gathered from multiple sources indicated Petrino had ongoing conflicts with several individuals in Berks and that a “bounty” had been placed on him.
Surveillance footage from the intersection shows Petrino’s Jeep entering an alley and parking. Witness 1 is seen exiting the Jeep while using a cellphone. A review of digital evidence revealed that the three teens were participating in a group chat with three adults: Caicedo, Nein and Brockington.
Additional footage shows a sedan entering the alley shortly afterward and parking bumper‑to‑bumper with the Jeep. Evidence indicates Petrino was assaulted, forcibly removed from the Jeep, placed into the sedan and driven away.
Frazier and the two other juveniles are charged as adults with kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Petrino or information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact Reading police at 610-655-6116. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line at 877-373-9913. Crime Alert offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.