Cops, Courts & Fire - Yardley Borough

Yardley Man Sentenced 15 to 30 Years for Shooting Police Chief Kelly

Published

3 years ago

February 6, 2023

staff

When Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Officer Cristina Viviano went on an offender check at the Yardley Common Condominiums on Aug. 18, 2021, something did not feel right, so she radioed dispatchers for a status check if she’s not heard from in five minutes.

It was the first time she had ever done that in more than 9,000 offender visits and her instincts proved correct. Yardley Police Chief Joseph Kelly responded to her request, and his quick-thinking and bravery saved not only Viviano’s life, but also his own, after Colin Petroziello fired a shotgun through a door, striking the police chief’s hand and ear.

“Chief Kelly, you are my hero,” Viviano said Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, during Petroziello’s sentencing hearing. “I am standing here because of you.”

Viviano and Kelly appeared before President Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. to testify about the day they both came under fire during that fateful day at the condominium complex and how their lives and the lives of their families were impacted.

After hearing from both of Viviano, Kelly and Kelly’s daughter, who said she continues to have nightmares about the day she almost lost her father, Bateman sentenced Petroziello to 15 to 30 years in a state correctional institution. He also ordered him to undergo probation for 15 years once he’s done serving his time and pay $43,782.18 in restitution.

“If not for the heroics of the police chief and others acting in a quick and efficient manner, this could have been much worse,” Bateman said.

Petroziello, 25, of Yardley, entered a no contest plea in September to counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, two counts of attempted murder, six counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of assault of a law enforcement officer, persons not to possess a firearm, false imprisonment, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.

At 11 a.m. on Aug. 18, 2021, Bucks County Adult Probation/Parole Officer Cristina Viviano arrived to conduct an offender check on Petroziello. She heard doors slamming and arguing coming from inside his apartment, and immediately called for assistance from Yardley Borough Police. Chief Kelly arrived a short time later.

Petroziello was angry, agitated and intoxicated and was armed prior to police arrival, however his mother never gave that information when she called for assistance from probation. Petroziello’s mother also texted Viviano, asking her if she was still on her way while never mentioning her son was armed.

Kelly and Viviano approached Petroziello’s door, knocked and identified themselves as police.

At a preliminary hearing held on Aug. 31, 2021, Kelly testified he was able to peer into a windowpane on the door and could see a male, later identified as Petroziello, inside, aiming a shotgun at the door. Kelly was able to move as Petroziello fired a shotgun through the front door with the projectiles penetrating the door and striking Kelly in the hand and ear. Kelly testified Monday that he continues to have limited mobility of his injured hand.

Armed with the shotgun, Petroziello barricaded himself in the unit and prevented his mother from leaving and police from entering.

Law enforcement agencies from throughout Bucks County converged on the scene and established a perimeter. He was taken into custody after a more than 4-hour standoff.

The South Central Bucks County Emergency Response Team helped to get Petroziello’s mother out through a window. Before she got out, Petroziello’s mother was able to toss a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun out the window when her son fell asleep.

When the SERT Team later made entry, they found Petroziello unconscious. They recovered a loaded .45-caliber handgun tucked in his waistband, and a second loaded magazine was found in his pants pocket. Bucks County Detectives also found a set of brass knuckles in Petroziello’s bedroom.

A background check revealed Petroziello was twice committed on involuntary mental health commitments, making him ineligible to possess a firearm under Pennsylvania law. He also had an active protection-from-abuse order against him from his maternal aunt.

During Monday’s sentencing, First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer M. Schorn detailed Petroziello’s history of drug use and propensity for violence, spanning nearly a decade.

“The public is not safe if the defendant is out in the community,” she said.

Bucks County Detectives led the investigation with the assistance of Lower Makefield Township Police Department, Yardley Borough Police Department, Newtown Township Police Department, the South Central Bucks County Emergency Response Team and Pennsylvania State Police.

First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer M. Schorn prosecuted this case. “I will never forget that day. It was blazing hot as I watched law enforcement officers escorting preschoolers away from the shooting scene to safety. I’m convinced that Chief Kelly’s heroic actions that day saved not only Probation Officer Viviano’s life, but his own, and the life of Mr. Petroziello himself,” District Attorney Matt Weintraub said. “Although Chief Kelly and PO Viviano must bear the physical and mental scars of that day forever, they both also serve as a living testament to all that’s good and pure in law enforcement.”

Cops

Emergency Crews Prepare for Incoming Blizzard as Lower Bucks Municipalities Declare Storm Plans

Published

2 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Joanne Ames

Credit:: Veinna Carcel

Lower Bucks municipalities have declared disaster/snow emergencies in advance of the expected snow storm that the National Weather Service says will dump anywhere between 14 to 18 inches on the area.

A winter storm warning is still in effect from Sunday, Feb 22 to Monday, Feb 23.

Each municipality has its own link. For more information and updates, please click on their associated link.

Bensalem Township – Disaster Emergency declared immediately for the pending snow storm. Click here to see more details.

Bristol Borough – Snow information/requirements have been posted on their website. Click here to see the details.

Bristol Township – Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click here to see more details.

Falls Township – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and expires on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. Click here for details.

Langhorne Borough – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. No parking. Click here for details.

Lower Makefield Township – Snow information has been posted on Meta. Click here to see the details.

Middletown Township – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. . Click here to see details.

Morrisville Borough – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Click here to see the details.

Newtown Township – A Snow Emergency is in effect from 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Click here to see the details.

Penndel Borough – Snow Emergency has been declared from 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, through 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026. Click here for more details and click here for more on the ordinance.

Tullytown Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 6 p.m. Click here to see more details.

Warminster Township – Disaster Emergency has been declared for the incoming snow storm, effective Sunday Feb. 22, 2026 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026 at 12 p.m.. Click here to see the details and click here to see the declaration from Township Manager Tom Scott.

Yardley Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 4 p.m. . Click here to see the details. and click here to see declaration/other information from Mayor Caroline Thompson.

The primary concern is safety. Take care of yourselves and check on neighbors and those who may be vulnerable.

Please stay safe, take all necessary precautions, and keep your devices charged.

Click here for updates from the National Weather Service

Click here for PECO’s outage map.

Cops

Buyers Beware: Thieves Are Using Social Media to Sell Stolen Vehicles, Cops Say

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

staff

Police across the commonwealth are warning consumers looking to purchase vehicles online about an uptick in reports in which thieves are using social media based sites to sell stolen vehicles.

Police departments across Pennsylvania are seeing an uptick of cases in which criminals are using channels like Facebook Marketplace to sell stolen vehicles, often with counterfeit titles or falsified paperwork, law enforcement officials say.

At least one investigator reported, investigators say, that of the vehicles recovered, almost none of them exhibit signs of tampering or damage.

Be cautious and help protect yourself:

Verify Vehicle History: Always check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a full vehicle history report.
Avoid Cash-Only Transactions: Use traceable payment methods and meet sellers in safe, public locations.
Inspect Carefully: Look for signs of tampering and never buy a car without confirming its ownership and documentation.

And always remember, authorities say, if something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t let a quick deal turn into a costly mistake.

Cops

DA-Elect Khan Prepares to Take Office; Transition Team to Seek Community Input

Published

2 months ago

December 30, 2025

Jeff Bohen

District Attorney-elect Joe Khan earlier this month formally announced the launch of his Transition Committee.

Khan thanked outgoing District Attorney Jennifer Schorn for her support during this process.

For the remainder of 2025, the Transition Committee will advise Khan as he prepares to take the oath of office in January, a transition team spokesman said.

“In 2026, the committee will reorganize and seek community input for reforms that can be recommended to Khan during his first 120 days in Office. The Committee will conclude its work by assessing and reporting on the status of any recommended actions and strategies,” officials said in a release.be

Last week Khan announced Brendan Flynn (Chief of Staff) Kristin McElroy (Chief Deputy District Attorney) and Elizabeth Oquendo (First Chief of Civil Enforcement) would be joining his team.

“Brendan’s life in public service began at age 18 when he was sworn in at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and has included service as a homicide prosecutor in Philadelphia and as an aide to then-Congressman Patrick Murphy in Bucks County. I’ve worked with Brendan to resolve high stakes matters over the last few years and I can’t wait for him to step into this critical new role serving and protecting our community!,” said Khan.

Flynn also co-chairs the transition team.

Credit: Submitted

“KMac” is an exceptional public servant who has dedicated her career to protecting the most vulnerable in Bucks County. Her integrity, energy and work ethic will set the standard of excellence in this exciting next chapter of the DA’s Office!,” the DA elect said.

“Oquendo will be returning to Bucks from the PA Attorney General’s Office, where she has enforced consumer protection laws to keep us safe from unscrupulous business practices. I am so excited to work with Elizabeth again!,” Khan said.

“I’m blown away by the talent and wisdom of these legal superstars and grateful for their counsel as we equip the DA’s Office to address the 21st century challenges facing crime victims, working families, and our environment,” the DA-Elect said.

Khan was elected District Attorney this past November earning 54% of the vote, winning more votes than any candidate for this office in the history of Bucks County, according to his transition team.