On December 21, 2023, the Wyomissing Police Department faced a series of demanding incidents throughout the day, culminating in a vehicle crash that resulted in an officer being hospitalized. The day’s events included traffic violations, theft allegations, and significant cooperation with neighboring police departments.
Crash and Immediate Response
The most critical event occurred shortly before 01:00 a.m. on Chestnut Street near Fifth Avenue in West Reading. A marked Wyomissing police vehicle was struck by another vehicle that allegedly ran a red light. Both vehicles were towed from the scene, with the police vehicle taken to the borough garage for assessment. The officer involved was transported to the Reading Hospital Medical Center for evaluation. The West Reading Police were assigned to conduct the investigation into the accident.
Earlier that morning, Wyomissing officers assisted in managing a weapons-related incident on Third Avenue. Reports indicated that a man had brandished a knife at security personnel, but further details regarding charges or injuries have not been disclosed.
Traffic Violations and Public Safety
In the early hours, police attempted to stop a vehicle on Route 422 near North Wyomissing Boulevard, but the driver fled at high speed. Safety concerns prevented officers from pursuing the vehicle. Throughout the day, Wyomissing police handled numerous traffic stops, issuing warnings and citations for various infractions, including expired registration, lack of insurance, and driving with a suspended license.
The department also investigated several burglar alarms, all of which were found to be false or canceled prior to arrival. Other calls included reports of suspicious vehicles, 911 hang-up calls, and a hit-and-run incident involving a parked police vehicle in Reading. Additionally, officers responded to a report of theft of services on Woodland Road, where a man allegedly left a restaurant after his payment card was declined.
In the evening hours, officers provided assistance to Shillington and West Reading police with domestic-related incidents. In one case in Shillington, a male was taken into custody following a physical domestic dispute, while in West Reading, officers responded to a domestic disturbance where the involved male voluntarily left the residence for the night.
The police also addressed a reported attempted theft involving a juvenile on Crossing Drive. A young female was allegedly seen trying to remove signs from a fallen street sign post and was subsequently released to a parent at the scene.
Authorities stressed that all criminal matters described remain allegations, emphasizing that any suspect or arrestee is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The incident log indicated a total of 26 calls for service managed by the Wyomissing Police Department, underscoring what officials characterized as a particularly eventful shift.
For ongoing updates regarding incidents in Chester County and surrounding areas, residents are encouraged to follow local news outlets.
