William C. Shockley Jr. is accused of assaulting and robbing a Coatesville man and threatening him to keep quiet about it.
Accused street-gang leader faces charges that include assault, robbery, intimidation
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
After allegedly pistol-whipping a Coatesville man and robbing him of $4,000 in April, a reputed street-gang leader nicknamed “Pumpkin” threatened the victim with further injury if he reported it, police said.
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said such behavior won’t be tolerated, and today he announced the arrest of William C. Shockley, Jr., 24. Hogan said Shockley was taken into custody Friday after authorities received information that he was hiding in a hotel in Kinzers, Lancaster County.
“The defendant claims to be the leader of a street gang in Coatesville,” said Hogan. “He makes his living through assaults, threats, and intimidation. Taking this defendant off the street is one step in making Coatesville a safer place to live.”
According to the criminal complaint, Shockley robbed and assaulted the victim, who is not being identified by police, on April 11 at Shockley’s home in the 100 block of Strode Avenue. The victim “lost consciousness for an extended period of time after being struck with the handgun, was bleeding heavily, and suffered a broken nose,” the complaint said. Hogan said the victim was treated for a broken nose and head injury at Brandywine Hospital.
In June, Shockley sent a letter to the victim “which contained threats of physical violence” if the victim reported the incident to police, the complaint said.
Hogan said an arrest warrant for Shockley was issued in June on charges that include robbery, aggravated assault, witness intimidation and related offenses. According to court records, Shockley has been arrested dozens of times; however, many of the charges, including drug offenses, have been dismissed or withdrawn. In November 2008, he was sentenced to six to 23 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm, court records said.
Shockley was taken to Chester County Prison after failing to post $30,000 cash bail, officials said.
“The defendant is part of the ‘stop snitching’ culture in Coatesville,” said Hogan. “Anybody who spouts off this ‘stop snitching’ nonsense might as well hold up a sign identifying themselves as criminals and asking to be caught.”
