A man who fired shots at guests at a Bensalem hotel and attempted to rob one of them in 2021 was sentenced on Friday, to serve 11 to 22 years in a state correctional institution.
Ted Leroy Fosco, 58, was convicted in October on multiple counts of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault, along with counts of criminal attempt to discharge a firearm into an occupied structure, robbery, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
,At his sentencing hearing Friday Fosco appeared before Common Pleas Judge Gary B. Gilman who sentenced him to an aggregate sentence of 11 to 22 years in state prison, and also ordered him to screen for intensive drug and alcohol treatment, not possess firearms and have no contact with the victims or the Comfort Inn.
Judge Gilman also commended the Bensalem Township Police Department for their professionalism and how they handled Fosco.
Bensalem police were dispatched just before 5 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2021, to the Comfort Inn at 2779 Lincoln Highway for a report of an armed person. Upon arrival, officers were informed that the male had fired several shots and was in the lobby. Police located the male, later identified as Fosco, and gave him formal commands to surrender, which he ignored. When police officers attempted to detain him, Fosco became combative, leading to a struggle. After Fosco was taken into custody, police located a .22-caliber handgun on him.
Bensalem detectives and police officers spoke to several witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage from the first floor and lobby area of the hotel. The investigation found that Fosco encountered two men on the first floor of the hotel, near the lobby, and fired one shot from a short distance away at the men, nearly striking them. Minutes later, Fosco encountered a male juvenile and tried to rob him. The juvenile managed to flee and ran back to his room and locked the door. Fosco followed the juvenile, yelling at him to give up everything, and then fired one shot into the door. Two others were inside the room with the juvenile.
The investigation found that Fosco did not have a valid permit to carry a handgun. Police also found drugs and drug paraphernalia in his room.
The case was investigated by the Bensalem Township Police Department and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon.
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