A Birdsboro man faces several felony charges after police said he assaulted his wife and then fought with a responding officer, injuring both.
Edwin Matos Jr., 35, was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail to await a hearing following arraignment Monday before District Judge Kyley L. Scott in Reading Central Court.
Birdsboro police charged him with two counts of aggravated assault and single counts each of strangulation, resisting arrest and escape.
According to court records:
About 1 a.m. Monday, Office Deron Manndel was dispatched to a domestic dispute in the 200 block of Hopewell Street. The 911 caller said his stepfather was threatening his mother.
Based on that information, Manndel asked dispatchers to send a Robeson Township police officer to assist. Meanwhile, Manndel went to the home and was let in by the caller.
As Manndel entered the kitchen, Matos came around the corner and asked what he was doing in his home.
Manndel asked where his wife was. Matos refused to cooperate and blocked the officer’s path to the master bedroom.
The officer took out a set of handcuffs and grabbed Matos by the arm to try to detain him, but Matos pulled away and kept swatting at the cuffs.
After warning Matos of the consequences for disobeying police commands, Manndel deployed a Taser, but the electric shock had no effect.
After a second Taser deployment also failed to subdue Matos, Manndel grabbed Matos’ arm again in an attempt to handcuff him, but Matos continued to resist.
Matos then tackled Manndel and straddled him on the bedroom floor while screaming. Manndel talked Matos into getting off of him. Matos stood up and continued yelling and screaming, punching the wall several times.
Once on his feet, Manndel backed out of the bedroom, but Matos lunged at the officer. Since he was unable to gain control of Matos and Matos continued to fight with him, Manndel decided to retreat from the apartment and wait for Robeson Officer Phillip Bentz to arrive.
As Manndel started down the exterior stairs, Matos came out the door and shoved him, causing the officer to lose his balance and strike his knee on the railing.
Manndel went to his patrol vehicle and radioed for additional police units and an ambulance due to his injuries.
Bentz arrived and entered the apartment after checking on Manndel.
He learned that Matos had fled the residence and that Matos’ wife suffered significant injuries.
Amity and Exeter police also arrived to assist. A K-9 unit from Exeter police located Matos in the snow in the area of Clover and Bird streets and was taken into custody without further incident.
Medics with Tower Direct EMS transported the woman to Reading Hospital for her injuries.
She told police that during an argument with Matos, her husband kicked her legs out from under her, causing her to fall and hit her head on the floor. He pinned her to the floor and choked her, causing her to briefly black out.
Medical staff said it appeared she had suffered a broken collarbone.
Manndel declined to be transported for his injuries, which included scrapes and cuts to both hands, a knee and a toe.
Where to find help
Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know are in immediate danger.
To seek the help of an advocate or to contact Safe Berks, call the 24-hour hotline, 844-789-SAFE (7233) or text SAFE BERKS to 20121.
Safe Berks provides free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day. All services are available in English and Spanish, and translation will be used for any other language needed.