The City of Reading announced that six people, including three juveniles, were charged in connection to the disappearance of Michael Petrino Jr.
READING, Pa. — The City of Reading announced that six people, including three juveniles, have been charged with kidnapping in connection to a missing Lebanon County man.
Authorities said Michael Petrino Jr. was reported missing by family members in western Lebanon County in late March. Lebanon County investigators learned that Petrino would frequent the Reading area before his disappearance, and the City of Reading Police Department took over the investigation.
Authorities said that a Jeep Compass Petrino had rented was found abandoned along the 1200 block of Muhlenberg Street. It was later determined that Petrino was lured to the area of 2nd and Oley Streets by three teenagers who were driving in his Jeep.
According to authorities, Petrino had ongoing issues with multiple people in the Berks County area and had a bounty on him.
Surveillance footage from North 2nd and Oley Streets reportedly showed Petrino’s Jeep parking in an alleyway before one of the teenagers got out of the vehicle while on his phone. More footage reportedly showed a tan Chevrolet parked right next to the Jeep.
Authorities said the three teens were in a group chat with the three adult suspects, Gerson Caicedo, 21; Khalil Nein, 20; and Jazmeire Brockington, 19.
Petrino was reportedly assaulted, forcibly removed from the Jeep, put inside of the Chevrolet and driven from the area. Authorities learned that the juveniles left the area to abandon Petrino’s jeep and destroy his phone.
Investigators believe that Caicedo, Nein and Brockington took Petrino to a secluded area. They also determined that the Chevrolet is registered to Caicedo.
The six suspects have been charged with the following, according to the City of Reading:
J.S. (17-year-old male) – Charged as an adult with Kidnapping, Robbery and Conspiracy.J.E. (16-year-old male) – Charged as an adult with Kidnapping, Robbery and Conspiracy.A.M. (16-year-old male) – Charged as an adult with Kidnapping, False Imprisonment and Conspiracy.Gerson Caicedo – Charged with Kidnapping, False Imprisonment and Conspiracy. Currently incarcerated at Berks County Prison on unrelated charges.Jazmeire Brockington – Charged with Kidnapping, False Imprisonment and Conspiracy. Currently incarcerated on unrelated charges.Khalil Nein – Charged with Kidnapping, False Imprisonment and Conspiracy. Taken into custody on 06/17/2026 with the assistance of the Berks County Emergency Response Team
Petrino’s whereabouts are still unknown, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. Those with information on Petrino’s whereabouts or other information relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the Reading Police Department at 610-655-6116.
Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line at 1 877-373-9913. Crime Alert offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.