City Of Chester Police Department

NARCOTICS SEARCH WARRANT / ARREST Complaint # 2021-02539 March 1, 2021 Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky announced today that Myron Brown, 47, had been arrested and charged with the illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and the possession of drug paraphernalia.... On Friday February 26, 2021 Officer Timothy Garron, together with members of the Chester Narcotics Unit and the Delaware County Narcotics Task Force, executed a search warrant at 128 W. 22nd Street Chester, PA 19013. Upon arrival by officers, the target of the investigation, identified as Myron Brown, was detained in front of the residence. Once all occupants were secured, they were issued their Miranda Warnings, at which time Brown directed officers to the second floor front bedroom. It was there that Brown advised officers that he had a black assault rifle as well as a container containing over 12 pounds of synthetic marijuana. Brown also identified a Barbasol shaving cream can that had a false bottom. Located inside of the can were (26) pink canisters containing suspected crack cocaine. In the same bedroom officers also recovered $2,060 in U.S. currency as well as a small black notebook identified as a drug sales ledger from a safe in the closet. A further search of the residence revealed drug paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking, police scanners, and a metal cocaine press. All items were seized and Brown was transported to headquarters for processing. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Brown is a convicted felon prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. Officers also discovered that Brown was currently out on bail stemming from an incident that occurred in Philadelphia. Brown was charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, and firearms offenses after he allegedly punched, kicked, and strangled the victim. Brown also allegedly fired a handgun at the victim and fled from Philadelphia police when they attempted to stop his vehicle. Brown was arraigned by District Justice James J. Merkins and his bail was set at 10% of $100,000. Brown was transported to George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he will await a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 16, 2021. Submitted by: Commissioner Steven Gretsky#261

Complaint #2021-05185 March 1, 2021 On Friday February 26, 2021 at 1665 hours, Ofc. Adam Youssef #340 was on patrol in the area of the 3000 blk of West 12th Street. Ofc. Youssef was informed by assisting officers that a male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and gray jeans was running north on Clover Lane clutching an object in his waistband believed to be a firearm. Ofc. Youssef observed the male matching the description run east towards the r...ear yards in the 1200 blk of Clover Lane. After a short foot pursuit Ofc. Youssef detained the male. The male was identified as Quamir Raheem Johnson-Powell. Recovered from Powell was a black Polymer 80, PFC9 9mm pistol loaded with (1) live bullet in the chamber and (16) live bullets in the magazine. Also recovered from Powell was (4) grams of suspected marijuana. Powell’s information was processed through N.C.I.C and that it was confirmed that Powell had a prior felony conviction prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. The firearm was also found to have an obliterated serial number. Powell was placed into custody and transported back to police headquarters. Once back at police headquarters Ofc. Youssef conducted a field test on the suspected marijuana and a positive reaction was received. Powell was charged with firearms violations and related offenses. Powell was arraigned by District Justice Deborah Krull, and his bail was set at 10% of $100,000.00. Powell was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he will await a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 17, 2021. Submitted by: Commissioner Steven Gretsky #261

Complaint # 2021-04802 February 25, 2021 On Monday February 22, 2021Off. John Benozich along with members of the Chester Narcotics Unit were conducting hidden surveillance in the 300 block of E. 23rd Street after receiving an anonymous tip related to potential drug activity in the area. As a result of the surveillance the officers were able to identify a male known to them as Eliot Swain Jr. who was utilizing a 2013 Ford Edge that was p...arked in the area. Following the surveillance, a police K-9 arrived on scene and conducted an open-air drug sniff around the vehicle. The officers received a positive indication from the K-9 and a search warrant was issued for the vehicle. As a result of the search, officers recovered 973 bags of suspected fentanyl, approximately 47 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 33 grams of suspected methamphetamine, as well as bulk and packaged marijuana. The opioid epidemic is tearing at the fabric of our communities. When an amount of fentanyl such as this is removed from our streets it is a win for all of us. We will continue to battle this scourge on a daily basis and do our part to seek out those who intend to profit from it. An arrest warrant has been issued for Eliot Swain Jr. charging him with (4) counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver and related offenses. If anyone has information relating to his whereabouts, they are asked to dial 911 or the Chester Police Department Operations Center at 610-447-8424. Submitted by: Commissioner Steven Gretsky#261

For Immediate Release February 24, 2021 ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION WITH FEBRUARY 15, 2021 MURDER IN CHESTER... Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and Commissioner Steven Gretsky of the City of Chester Police Department announced the arrest Monday of Adolphus Dwayne Smith, 48. Smith is charged with the February 15, 2021, murder of Rashad Sabree, 20. He was arrested in the unit block of 69th Street in Upper Darby by detectives from the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and Philadelphia Police Department Criminal Intelligence Division. On Monday February 15, 2021 at 2019 hours, officers from the Chester Police Department were dispatched to the 500 blk of East 22nd Street for a report of shots fired in the rear alley. As officers arrived on the scene, they were informed that there was a subject who was shot inside of a residence in the 500 block of East 22nd Street. Officers entered the property and observed the victim who was identified as Rashad Sabree, 20, lying on the ground bleeding and unconscious. Paramedics transported the victim to Crozer hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Detectives from the Chester Police Department along with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office launched an immediate investigation. As a result of that investigation, Adolphus Smith was identified as the victim’s father, as well as the suspect in his son’s murder. Commissioner Gretsky stated, It is inconceivable to think that a father could take his own son life. As with any murder victim this is a complete tragedy for the family, and we will seek certain justice. Smith was arraigned by District Justice Wendy Roberts and was denied bail. He was transported to George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he will await a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 8, 2021. As always, I want to commend the cooperation and collaboration between the detectives of CID and the detectives of the Chester Police Department. In particular, I want to commend the work done by the two lead detectives on this case: Chester Police Detective Victor Heness and Delaware County Detective Michael Jay. It is through this cooperation and collaboration that we were able to identify and apprehend a suspect in a such short time, and the community is fortunate to have such a committed team working on their behalf, said District Attorney Stollsteimer. CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.

PRESS RELEASE Narcotics/Firearms ARREST Complaint # 2020-42438 November 4, 2020... On Tuesday November 3, 2020 at 1938 hours Off. Robert Shaughnessy #312 was in the area of the 1300 blk of West 9th St. (Chester Apartments) conducting a property check. Off. Shaughnessy observed a group of males loitering around a 2000 silver Dodge Charger in the rear of the property with the rear door opened to the vehicle. As Off. Shaughnessy got closer to the vehicle he could detect a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the group. Off. Shaughnessy exited the vehicle at which time a male later identified as Derwin Bradley B/M/22 fled east on foot through the parking lot. After a brief foot pursuit Bradley was stopped and recovered from Bradley’s left pocket was a silver Glock (45) firearm. The firearm was loaded with (1) live round in the chamber and (17) rounds in the magazine. Also recovered from Bradley was (2) lime green plastic containers of suspected marijuana. Bradley was transported to police H. Q’s for processing. During the foot pursuit, the silver Dodge Charger attempted to flee from Off. Brain Boerger. The vehicle drove west toward a dead end where the vehicle was unable to exit. Off. Boerger observed the offenders Karim Jones B/M/44 (driver), Kwame Johnson B/M/31 and Jodie Solomons B/M/26 exit the vehicle and throw clear plastic bags containing a suspected marijuana toward the rear of the 1300 blk of West 7th Street. All (3) were placed into custody and transported to police headquarters for processing. The clear plastics bags containing the suspected marijuana weighed approximately 1 to 1.5 lbs a piece. Off. Shaughnessy did conduct a field test of the suspected marijuana and a positive reaction was received. Derwin Bradley was charged with firearms violations and related charges. Karim Jones, Kwame Johnson and Jodie Solomons was charged with drug violations and related charges. Bradley, Jones, Johnson and Solomon were all arraigned by District Justice Jack Lippart. Bradley’s bail was set at 10% of $175,000.00. Jones, Johnson and Solomon bail were set at 10% of $75,000.00. All were committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Submitted by Commissioner Steven Gretsky #261

Thank you to those who participated in the City of Chester Police Department Trunk or Treat. It was another successful event between the community and our PD.

Great work Officer Pownall! We are glad the child is doing better and hope to reunite them soon

Gun Arrests Complaint #2019-43197 October 26, 2020 On Wednesday October 21, 2020 at 1319 hours Off. Zachary Litvinenko #319 was in the area of the 300 blk of Rose St, when he observed a silver Chevrolet Malibu fail to stop at a posted stop sign at Rose St. and Upland St. Off. Litvinenko conducted a vehicle stop in the 1100 blk of Upland St. Off. Litvinenko observed the driver side door open and the offender B/M/15 exited the vehicle and walked away from th...Continue reading

Anyone with information on the shooting should call Chester City Detective Rhaheem Blanden at 610-447-8420 or email him at [email protected]. You can also call Delaware County Detective Vincent Ficchi or email him at at 610-891-4681 or [email protected] You can also submit a tip through email at [email protected] and/or the City of Chester Police Department mobile application (Click the link below to download the app). https://apps.myocv.com/share/a30419013

(CHESTER, PA) Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland today appointed Steven Gretsky to serve as the new Chester Police Commissioner. Prior to administering the oath of office during the City’s regularly scheduled Council Meeting, Mayor Kirkland who oversees the Chester Police Department, spoke at length about his respect for Gretsky and his decision to appoint him to the top cop position. Back in 2016, when I first took office and promoted him to Police Major, I knew there was somethin...Continue reading

Search Warrant Narcotics/Firearm Arrest Complaint # 2020-39094 10-08-20 On Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at approximately 6:03a.m. members of the Chester Police Department Narcotics Unit along with detectives from the Delaware County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 143 West 22nd Street, Chester, PA 19013.... Located in the basement of the residence was a black and pink "Planet Fitness" gym bag. Inside of the bag were the following items: -A black Nike satchel that contained 18 zip top baggies marked "Area 411", each of which contained 3.5 grams of marijuana for a total estimated weight of 63 grams. One clear zip top baggie containing white powder, which weighed approximately 1.8 grams and was field tested positive for cocaine. -New/unused "Area 411" packaging, an AWS digital scale, a black Baofeng police scanner set to the Chester Police Department frequency, $55 in U.S. currency (two-$20's, one-$10 and one-$5) and a paper document, "Vacation request form", for Lewis M. Caldwell. Discovered immediately next to the "Planet Fitness" bag was a tan plastic container filled with loose clothing. Buried among the clothing was a black Glock 19.9 mm handgun (serial number YHN651) with an extended magazine, which was fully loaded and had a round chambered and ready to fire. Finally, a loaded fifty (50) round drum magazine, black in color, was recovered from the same plastic container. Upon learning of the evidence discovered, Lewis Caldwell Jr. advised officers that the firearm was his, as well as the narcotics recovered from the basement. A criminal history check of Caldwell Jr. revealed that he is a convicted felon, and as such, not legally allowed to possess a firearm. Caldwell Jr. was transported to police headquarters and charged with drug and firearm offenses. Cadwell Jr. was arraigned by District Justice Christopher Mattox, and bail was set at $100,000.00 @ 10 percent. Lewis Caldwell was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Submitted by: Deputy Commissioner Steven Gretsky #261

Narcotics-Firearms Arrest Complaint # 2020-39159 October 7, 2020 On Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 1933 hours the Chester Police Department received information that a black male with dreadlocks wearing a white sweatshirt, red sweat pants, and a black and green bag on his shoulder, was in possession of a silver firearm in his right back pocket.... Ofc. Robert Shaughnessy #312 and Captain Matthew Goldschmidt #269 responded to the area and located the offender matching the description, later identified as Leroy Preston Smith B/M/34, walking south in the 700 blk of Highland Avenue. Off. Shaughnessy observed a silver firearm with an extended magazine sticking out from Smith’s right-side rear pocket of his sweat pants. Off. Shaughnessy and Captain Matthew Goldschmidt exited their patrol vehicles and went to stop Smith, at which time Smith fled on foot north towards Hayes Street. After a brief foot pursuit Smith was placed into custody in the 2700 blk of West 7th Street. The following items were recovered from Smith: 1- silver AMT .45 caliber firearm with an extended magazine containing (1) round in the chamber. 2) A green and black .40 caliber firearm with obliterated serial number. 3) A black digital scale. 4) A police scanner. 5) 232 - blue wax papers containing suspected heroin. 6) A clear knotted sandwich bag containing a large amount of a white rock substance, suspected to be crack cocaine. 7) A green and black bag. 8) $43.00 in US currency. Smith was then transported back to police H. Q’s for processing. After being processed it was discovered that Smith was wanted for several State Parole violations. Smith was arraigned by District Justice Christopher Mattox, and bail was set at $1,000,000 @ 10%. Smith was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility. This arrest is an example on how information obtained from the public can support the departments effort in removing firearms and narcotics from our community. Submitted By: Deputy Commissioner Steven Gretsky #261

If anyone has any information regarding any shootings/homicides, they are urged to contact the Detective bureau. Call 610-447-8424 and you'll be transferred to the assigned Detective working that particular case. You can also submit a tip through email at [email protected] and/or the City of Chester Police Department mobile application (Click the link below to download the app). https://apps.myocv.com/share/a30419013