READING, Pa. – Following a months-long investigation, a man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred in May of this year, authorities say.
On May 9 at 2 p.m., 56-year-old Leonardo Mercado Gomez was leaving work at Sun Rich Foods when, without warning, he was stabbed to death on River Road, his family shared following the incident.
Officers from the City of Reading Police Department say they responded to the 200 block of River Road and found the victim, Mercado-Gomez, suffering from multiple stab wounds.
EMS transported Mercado-Gomez to Reading Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, officials say.
Investigators responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses, and canvassed the area for video footage.
After a lengthy investigation, detectives say they have identified 39-year-old Oliver Paniagua-Pena as a suspect in the case.
According to authorities, DNA evidence recovered during the investigation links Paniagua-Pena to the crime scene.
Reading Police say the man has been charged with first-degree murder and related offenses and was taken into custody on Thursday by members of the Reading Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Division.
According to Reading Police, this investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Reading Police Department at 610-655-6116.
Information can also be sent 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.
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