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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Local Charity Elle’s Angels & IM ABLE Foundation Receive Large Donation

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Two charities, miles apart, recently received substantial  boosts to their foundations. Two couples, also miles apart, joined together in grief and turned it into positive energy.

Justin Mancias of Keller Williams Platinum Realty led a committee that successfully organized Ryderfest 2023, generating an astounding $30,000 in donations for two charities, Elle’s Angels of Langhorne and IM ABLE, Wyomissing.

This event provided a substantial boost to the IM ABLE Foundation, committed to making a difference in the lives of children living with disabilities and Elle’s Angels Foundation, dedicated to finding a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a form of childhood cancer, said Brian Sutherland, IM ABLE’s Director of Development.

Toby and Jenna Knechtle, Sinking Spring, PA met Derek and Kristi Caruso, Langhorne, PA when each couple’s child was fighting for their life. 

Both children, Ryder Knechtle and Elle Caruso, had DIPG. Unfortunately, Ryder and Elle lost their fight to the disease, each at age five; Elle in 2021 and Ryder in 2022. Elle’s legacy is the non-profit organization, Elle’s Angels. Ryder’s name will live on through Ryderfest, a community event and cornhole tournament fundraiser, organizers said

Together, the Knechtles and the Carusos focused their grief into positive energy, raising funds to find a cure for DIPG through the non-profit Elle’s Angels Foundation.

Both of these foundations are here for one purpose,” said Mancias, “to provide hope in our community and beyond for people who absolutely need it most. We will continue to support these Foundations for years to come thanks to their commitment to providing love, hope, and confidence.”

“When Ryder was diagnosed, we made a promise that we would help battle D.I.P.G. alongside his family and in his name as long as we are able. Ryder left behind such a powerful legacy of love and support throughout our community, and we want to make sure his legacy continues to grow day after day, ” Mancias said.

“Elle has inspired us and so many, from her battle with cancer. She left her mark on this world in just five short years that some may never do in a lifetime. Life is so precious, and we need to cherish every moment of it,” said her father, Derek.

“We are going to continue to honor our daughter’s legacy through Elle’s Angels Foundation. The mission of Elle’s Angels Foundation is to advocate and fund essential research to discover effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, with an emphasis on DIPG. Of childhood cancer related deaths in this country, brain tumors are the #1 cause of those deaths, which receives less than 1% of federal funding for research. We partner with children’s hospitals and research departments locally and across the country to help find a cure.”

“The grief really isn’t better, and I don’t think it ever will be,” Ryder’s father, Toby, posted on Facebook one year after Ryder passed. “It’s our new normal forever. But we’re all moving forward and finding that peace.”

Chris Kaag founded the IM ABLE Foundation in Wyomissing in 2007 to provide kids, like Ryder and Elle, and people living with disabilities of all ages with adaptive sports equipment and inclusive sports opportunities, enabling them to get active.

“IM ABLE serves people of all abilities. We are here for these kids who deserve the same opportunities as everyone else has, to have friends and a community around them, celebrating what they can do, whatever that is,” said Kaag.

“This tournament is a reminder that we are not alone in this fight,” said Derek. Kaag agreed, “it’s a reminder that we have this amazing community that steps up to make amazing things happen. We’re surrounded by great people who support our missions and all the people we serve. It’s unbelievable how much money they raised and how fun it was. That’s important.”

To learn more about DIPG , click DIPG.  To learn more about the foundations, click Elle’s Angels or IM ABLE

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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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