Police: Foot pursuit yields suspected cocaine, weapon

19-year-old Coatesville man faces multiple charges On Thursday at 1:45, Coatesville Police Cpl. Jonathan Shave observed a man who matched the description of an actor involved in an earlier robbery and stopped Sheron J. Purnell, 19, of Coatesville, after a brief foot pursuit, police said. Purnell was found to be in possession of several bags of suspected cocaine and a CZ52 7.62-caliber firearm, police...

Armed robber hits city convenience store

Police said knife-wielding man grabbed $90 from cash register On Wednesday, Coatesville Police responded to a convenience store in the 600 block of East Lincoln Highway for an armed-robbery dispatch at 8:39 p.m., Cpl. Jonathan Shave reported. Police said a light-skinned Hispanic or black male, who was wearing a ski mask and gloves, entered the store armed with a knife and went behind the register....

Screeching tires get attention of police

Oxford driver cited for blaring music, failing to display inspection stickers First, the screeching wheels from rapid acceleration got the attention of Coatesville police on patrol in the 100 block of East Lincoln Highway on Wednesday at 7:49 p.m., Officer Brenden M. Boyle reported. The blue Chevrolet station wagon, also had  music blaring in violation of the city’s noise ordinance, police said....

County: No records on children fostered by defendant

Data not within state requirements for retention, officials said By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy K. Mitchell, accused in two cases of child molestation, served as a foster parent in Chester County from 1989 to 1997, county officials said. An attempt to learn more about the foster-parenting history of the former county employee accused of molesting two girls in his care has...

Former foster parent waives hearings on sex charges

Prosecutor says investigators have identified other possible victims By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy K. Mitchell, 60, a former foster parent and corrections officer, waived two preliminary hearings Monday on charges that he molested two young girls. A former Chester County foster parent and corrections officer waived his preliminary hearings Monday morning in two, separate...

Longtime foster parent charged with molesting 2 girls

Chester County D.A. urging other potential victims to come forward By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy Mitchell, a longtime foster parent and corrections officer, is accused of molesting two young girls. A longtime foster parent has been charged with molesting two children, ages 9 and under, in his care, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said Tuesday. Leroy Mitchell,...

Man allegedly assaults officer, pins him to SUV

Thorndale resident, subdued with stun gun, faces multiple charges On Tuesday, a Thorndale man resisted a Coatesville officer’s effort to stop his red SUV, slamming the door on Officer Jonathan Shave, pinning him to the vehicle, and repeatedly striking him in the head as the SUV started moving, police said. Shave, who ended up receiving medical treatment at Brandywine Hospital for injuries he sustained,...

Coatesville father accused of assaulting 11-month-old

Police:  Girl had severe injuries ‘consistent with non-accidental trauma’ By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Juan J. Silva-Vasquez is charged with aggravated assault for severely injuring his 11-month-old daughter, police said. A Coatesville detective got a distressing call Monday evening: An unresponsive, 11-month-old girl had been rushed to the hospital with severe injuries. Coatesville...

Police vigilance lands litigious parolee behind bars

Chester County Prison becomes latest target of Jonathan Lee Riches’ ire By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Jonathan Lee Riches in an undated mugshot released by authorities. Bruce Springsteen, Bam Margera, Viagra, the National Football League, Geno’s Steaks, and Kim Kardashian share a bizarre distinction: They are among thousands of subjects who piqued the wrath of a Chester...

Gang member admits roles in murder, escape plan

Plea agreement avoids risk of death penalty for 2004 Coatesville slaying By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Shymek H. Hynson admitted his roles in a 2004 Coatesville homicide as well as a recent plot to break out of Chester County Prison. Authorities said a convicted Coatesville murderer wanted to get out of Chester County Prison so desperately that he conspired with a like-minded inmate...