Six Philadelphia Police narcotics officers were arrested this morning on a litany of federal corruption charges. All six men pled not guilty at a pre-arraignment hearing in a federal courtroom. The 26 count federal indictment identifies officers Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, John Speiser and Linwood Norman. They are accused of robbing and extorting suspected drug dealers and creating false police reports to cover their crimes. Over 22 separate incidents they hauled in over $500,000 in cash, drugs and property. The officers are accused of robbery, extortion, kidnapping, and drug dealing. In many incidents they would allegedly steal the seized drugs and money from suspects or break into the drug dealer's homes while they had put them in lockup. They would threaten violence or shake down the suspects to get the cash or drugs. The officers will be held until their next hearing, scheduled for Monday.
The New Jersey State Casino Gaming Bureau has arrested five suspects in connection with an armed robbery of over $181,000 last week at Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Izyiah Plummer, 19, of Atlantic City, Lance Rogers, 20, also of Atlantic City, Dwayne Morgan, 20, Monique Kelly, 19, and Aaron Evans, 23, all of Pleasantville, are all charged with robbery, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and receiving stolen property. It happened on July 21st at 6:20 am. Two masked men robbed security personnel at gunpoint making off with two cases from a kiosk machine trolley. They fled in a dark color sedan. Investigators were able to track down the suspects following lead and recovered most of the money and some of the clothing worn during the robbery. Plummer previously worked as a security officer at Caesars.
The suspect that punched another man in the face for allegedly looking at his teenage daughter last weekend in an Upper Darby Wawa has been identified and arrested. 45-year-old Gary Edwards of Cedar Avenue, turned himself in with his lawyer to Upper Darby police this morning. Superintendent Michael Chitwood said that once the surveillance footage was released the tips came pouring in as Edwards is easily recognizable with his 5' 11” 300lb frame. He is currently on federal probation and has a history of arrests for charges including assault, burglary, child abuse and drug offenses. For this incident, Edwards was charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.
SEE ALSO: Upper Darby Wawa Assault
Tonight,
Clear skies, Comfortable, temps in the mid/low 70's this evening in Center City |
by: 
