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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Updated: Harrisburg Man That Used Molotov Cocktails” to Start Blaze at Gov. Residence, Arraigned Bail Denied for Safety Purposes

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Updated: 8:15 p.m. Monday April 14th 

District Judge Dale E. Klein arraigned suspected arsonist Cody Balmer at 5:45 p.m this evening. Balmer was denied bail, to reasonably assure the safety of all court records show with his next court appearance set for April 23. The Harrisburg man who set fire to the Governor’s residence, early Sunday telling Pennsylvania State Police investigators he hates Gov Josh Shapiro  will make his next court appearance April 23 in front of Judge J. Matthew Pianka

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The Harrisburg man who set fire to the Governor’s residence, early Sunday telling Pennsylvania State Police investigators he hates Gov Josh Shapiro  will make his next court appearance April 23 in front of Judge J. Matthew Pianka

Investigators said late Sunday night they have a suspect in custody who allegedly scaled a fence to get to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion setting fire to it using “Molotov Cocktails” telling investigators he has “hatred” for Governor Josh Shapiro.

Cody A. Balmer, 38, will be charged with felony counts of attempted homicide. aggravated arson, three counts of aggravated assault, terrorism  and related offenses, according to online court records.

Balmer’s preliminary arraignment on the charges has yet to be scheduled, the records show as of 4:15 am Monday.

According to state police, video surveillance showed Balmer surveilling the residence and then unlawfully entering the grounds over a wall at around 2 a.m. He approached one of the south side windows. Using a hammer he had brought, he quickly broke the window after multiple blows. He then threw a Molotov Cocktail into the residence which ignited a substantial fire. Balmer then moved to an east window and forcibly entered the residence, authorities said.

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence.

Within the residence, he started two more fires with two other Molotov Cocktails. He then fled through a fire door. These actions were captured on video surveillance, the probable cause alleges.

Gov. Shapiro and his family and were at the residence during the attack and had to be evacuated.

The fire caused substantial damage to the governor’s residence. Video surveillance showed that the perpetrator was wearing a “Snap-On” jacket with distinctive shoulder patches, the probable cause alleges.

Troopers interviewed Balmer, who admitted to being the arsonist, court records show. Balmer turned himself into investigators at Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters on Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg, according to the criminal complaint.

The Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant at Balmer’s residence in Penbrook Borough, Dauphin County. Within the bedroom he used, troopers recovered the unique Snap-On jacket with the distinctive shoulder patches and a bag containing a gasoline container, according to the probable cause.

Dauphin Co Dist Attorney Fran Chardo discussing the details of the Balmer arrest
Credit: Commonwealth Media

While the fire was successfully extinguished, it caused significant damage to a portion of the residence. The governor and his family were present in a different part of the residence. They were evacuated safely and not injured. The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H is currently on scene and spearheading a multi-agency investigation, state authorities, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris said.

Shapiro was celebrating the first night of Passover with friends and family at the governor’s mansion.

“We do know this attack was targeted. We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet. We do know a few truths, Shapiro said.

This kind of violence is not ok!, Shapiro said, angrily, noting it’s becoming commonplace no matter a person’s political inclinations.

“It has to stop! We have to be better than this.”

Shapiro said if this individual was trying to deter him from his job as governor, rest assured I will find a way to work even harder, than I was just yesterday for the good people of Pennsylvania. If the suspect was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community that came here for a Passover Seder in that room Saturday night, hear me on this. We celebrated our faith in that room proudly and in a few we will do it again.

“No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly” Shapiro said.

Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities. Saturday night, they did so for our family – and Lori and I are eternally grateful to them for keeping us safe, Shapiro said.

You can read the criminal complaint filed by State Police here

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the Governor’s Residence. Credit: PACast

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

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Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown  Borough Police  are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing  17 year-old .

Ryan  Jaatar Age 17 is  5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators,  is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.

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Cops

No Selling Coquito for You LCB Authorities Say to Croydon Deli Owner, Employee

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The owner and an employee of the Croydon based State Road Deli Market have been charged for allegedly selling Coquito to customers.

According to state authorities, on Dec 23, 2025, a web complaint was received reporting the State Road Deli Market, located at 2518 State Road, Croydon posted on their Meta Page that they were taking orders for Coquito -coconut-based rum alcoholic beverage- for the holidays.

Investigators from the the state’s Liquor Control Board on Dec. 29, 2025, contacted the tipster who reported that they saw multiple Facebook posts from the premises advertising sales of homemade Coquito. Continued on this date, an open source query yielded the premises’ Facebook page displaying a post with a picture of a bottle of Coquito, and stated that they were taking orders with prices of  $8.00 for virgin (non-alcoholic) and $12.00 with alcohol.

(The ” Coquito”  posts have since been removed – a review of the deli’s Meta page.)

Investigators on Dec. 30, 2025, reviewed state data that showed the premises was not licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Additionally, PLCB certification confirmed that the premises did not have any authority to sell alcoholic beverages within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CWOPA).

On Jan. 3, 2026, at 3:01 p.m., Liquor Control Officers Messinger and Marrow entered the premises where  Ofc. Marrow  removed one (1) bottle of Coquito from the cooler and placed it on the counter. The clerk (later Identified as Effie Mae McMahon) confirmed that the bottle contained alcohol as written on the label. Marrow handed McMahon $13.00, and was provided ¢.28 in change, and the sale was rung up.

The bottle was secured, and later placed into evidence with a sample sent for laboratory testing. Continued on this date, a search of PA State Department records identified that the premises’ owner was Wilfredo M. Sanchez. A further open source search identified Wilfredo Miguel Sanchez-Caparachin and McMahon as workers at the premises. A further query of Bureau databases disclosed that neither Sanchez-Caparachin nor McMahon are registered and/or authorized by the PLCB to sell liquor within the CWOPA, officers wrote in court papers.

On  Jan. 14, 2026, at 7:15 a.m., Investigators returned to the  deli where they  noticed four bottles of Coquito in the cooler. A bottle was placed on the counter, purchased for $13.00. The bottle was secured, and later placed into evidence with a sample sent for laboratory testing, investigators said

On Jan. 21, 2026, at 7:01 a.m.,  investigators Messinger and Marrow entered the premises where Marrow noticed two bottles and purchased one (1) bottle of Coquito, court papers show.

The investigators reentered the deli, identified themselves to McMahon. McMahon was identified after presenting their Pennsylvania driver’s license as being (20) years old.

Authorities seized the remaining bottle of Coquito from the cooler and both bottles were secured, and later placed into evidence with samples sent for laboratory testing. Ofc. Marrow then recovered the currency used  to make the purchase from the register. Marrow requested that McMahon contact Sanchez-Caparachin to respond to the premises.

While awaiting Sanchez-Caparachin, McMahon was given Non-Custodial rights and agreed to answer questions, court papers show.

McMahon, according to the probable cause, admitted that they did possess and sell Coquito a rum based alcoholic beverage to Marrow on the above listed dates. McMahon further stated that they have been employed at the premises for over five (5) years and continued working under the new owner Sanchez-Caparachin since May 2023, McMahon also admitted that they assisted Sanchez-Caparachin in making the Coquito under Sanchez-Caparachin’s direction.

At 7:50 a.m. Sanchez-Caparachin arrived at the premises and was identified after presenting their Connecticut driver’s license. Sanchez-Caparachin was given Non-Custodial rights, and agreed to answer questions. Sanchez=Caparachin stated that they are the registered owner of the premises since May 2023 and are the sole operator with their only employee being McMahon. Sanchez-Caparachin admitted to purchasing Bacardi Coconut Rum Liquor at various liquor stores in New Jersey and transported
the rum into Pennsylvania in order to make Coquito and sell it at the premises. Sanchez-Caparachin further admitted that since May 2023 they have made and sold about fifty (50) bottles of Coquito and that they do not have a valid license to sell liquor within the state of Pennsylvania.

On Feb.9, 2026, PLCB certification confirmed that McMahon, Sanchez-Caparachin and/or the premises did not have authority to sell or dispense alcoholic beverages in the CWOPA from Jan. 1, 2025 through Jan. 21, 2026, according to court records.

On Feb. 21, 2026 analysis from the Pennsylvania State Police Laboratory confirmed that all samples submitted contained alcohol, the criminal complaint says.

Sanchez-Caparachin has been charged with selling alcohol illegally, selling of alcohol by a minor, and related offenses.

McMahon has been charged with selling alcohol illegally and a related offense.

Both were charged by mail summons and are scheduled to appear for hearings on April. Neither has a attorney of record listed as of publication time.

 

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Cops, Courts & Fire -Newtown Township

Newtown Twp. Police Reports: “Romance Scam” Investigation Launched, Identity Theft Reported and More!

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Newtoown Police

Newtown Township Police Reports – Feb 20 2026 – Feb 26 2026

2/20/26
At approximately 10:25 am a Newtown Township resident contacted police to report a scam attempt. She received an email from someone claiming to have access to her phone with evidence of her wrongdoings. They threatened to send that evidence to all of her friends unless she paid them in Bitcoin. The resident recognized it as a scam and did not fall victim.

2/24/26
Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township residence shortly before 2:00 pm for the report of a fraud-in-progress. The resident explained that his wife had gone to the bank to withdraw $15,000 in cash due to a message she received from someone claiming to be the FBI. Police confirmed that it was a scam and met with the wife at the bank to verify that her accounts were not jeopardized. No money was lost.

Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township residence around 3:30 pm for the report of a romance scam, where the victim suffered significant financial loss. The investigation is ongoing.

PSA: In romance scams, a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and steal from the victim.  Operating on dating apps, social media, or email, these scammers often claim to be overseas for work, such as in the military or construction, to avoid in-person meetings. Never send money, gift cards, or provide bank details to someone you have not met in person.

At approximately 6:15 pm a Newtown Township resident responded to headquarters to report identity theft. Police documented the incident and provided the resident with steps to take to protect her identity from future incidents.

2/25/26
At approximately 11:00 am police were dispatched to Acme Market for the report of retail theft. The investigation is ongoing.

 

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