READING, Pa. (WHTM) — A man wanted in connection with a Berks County homicide was arrested Sunday night at a New Jersey airport as police say he was trying to flee the country.
Federico Perez Polanco, 43, of Reading, was waiting to board a flight from New Jersey to the Dominican Republic when federal authorities arrested him, according to Reading Police.
He was arrested in connection with the death of a 32-year-old man in a shooting Sunday morning.
According to the Berks County Coroner’s Office, authorities were called to the 1400 block of North 5th Street in Reading around 3:40 a.m. Sunday for the shooting.
There, a 32-year-old man had been shot multiple times, police said. His identity was not released pending notification of next of kin.
Perez Polanco is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to face charges of homicide and aggravated assault, among others. Reading Police said he fled to New Jersey and booked a flight to the Dominican Republic. He was arrested with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.
“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,” Reading Mayor Eddie Moran said in a statement. “While today’s arrest is an important step toward justice, our hearts remain with the victim’s family and loved ones as they cope with this unimaginable loss. They are in our thoughts during this difficult time.”
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Reading Police are investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact them at 610-655-6116.
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