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For Police matters that are non-emergency, dial 717.558.6900

For all others, dial the Police Department at 717.564.2550



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    Newsroom

    Shooting Suspect In Custody

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    UPDATE
    5-10-2013

     DRAKKARI LEE BROOKS turned himself in last evening to State Parole Agents.  He was then taken into custody by Swatara Township Police detectives and arraigned before MDJ Raymond Shugars.  Bail was set at $200,000.  State Parole detainer also issued a parole detainer.  He was remanded to Dauphin County Prison.

     

     

    UPDATE
    5-4-2013

    Investigation by Swatara Township Detectives has determined the shooting suspect to be DRAKKARI LEE BROOKS, of 305 Swatara Street in Steelton, PA.  BROOKS is a 25-year-old black male, 5’07″ tall, with a thin build.  Swatara Township Police have an active arrest warrant for BROOKS, charging him with Criminal Attempt Homicide and Firearms Violations.  The Dauphin County Crisis Response Team was activated on this date to check two possible locations, but BROOKS was not located.  His photograph is attached.

     

    Nothing further.

     

     

    PRESS RELEASE
    5-4-2013

     

    On May 4th, 2013, at 1:52 a.m., the Swatara Township Police Department was dispatched to a report of an assault that occurred at Jones Corner Bar located at 428 North Harrisburg Street, Steelton.  Upon arrival, officers located a shooting victim in the parking lot.  The victim, a 43-year-old Harrisburg man, was able to speak with officers but could not identify the shooter.  The victim was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.

     

    Further investigation revealed that the victim and shooter engaged in some sort of disagreement in the parking lot, which led to the victim being shot.  The shooter fled the scene in a silver/gray newer model sedan, possibly a Hyundai Sonata, with the driver’s side mirror missing.  The shooter is described as a thin black male in his early 20′s with a beard.  Detectives are actively working to identify the shooter.  Photos of the shooting suspect are attached to this press release.

     

    We ask that citizens consider the suspect to be armed and dangerous; DO NOT attempt to apprehend him or approach him.  If spotted, call the Swatara Township Police Department or 911 immediately.

     

    Anyone with information relative to this investigation is urged to call the Swatara Township Police Department at 717-564-2550.

    Swatara Police Greenbelt Incident Update

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    Update
    5/3/13 

    The criminal investigation conducted by the Swatara Township Police Department has been completed. As a result of the incident at Macy’s Department Store and the subsequent flight of the suspect to elude Police apprehension, Jalani D. Martin age 18 of Steelton, PA will be charged with the following crimes: Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Trespass (Defiant), Harassment & Stalking, Pedestrians Walking on or Entering Highways and Escape.  These charges will be filed with the court and disposed of at a time when Mr. Martin has sufficiently recovered from injuries and is able to appear to answer them.  

    Update
    5/1/13 

    The criminal investigation into this incident continues; however, the Police Department can report that a suspect was developed within 24 hours of the incident. The suspect had an active summary arrest warrant out of our Department for Criminal Trespass.  The suspect was arrested on the outstanding warrant  on 4/26/13 and questioned by Police regarding the incident on the Greenbelt.  After questioning the suspect was lodged in the Dauphin County Prison on a Dauphin County Parole Detainer for parole violations where he remains as of today.  We are not releasing his name at this point since he has not been charged with any crimes surrounding this incident.

     

    Swatara Township Police investigators are still interested in speaking with the two other potential victims who have not come forward as of today.

    The Swatara Township Police Department urges all citizens to practice good personal safety habits when walking, running, or biking in secluded areas.  The practice of routine random Police bicycle and foot patrols will continue on Swatara Township’s portion of the Harrisburg Greenbelt.

     

    Press Release

    Swatara Township Police are seeking assistance in locating an individual wanted in questioning of suspicious activity along the Harrisburg Greenbelt. On 4/24/13 around 5:15 p.m. a female was walking her dog on the Greenbelt between S 28th Street and S 19th Street when a dark skinned black or Hispanic male, around 5’10″, husky build, mid to late twenties, jumped out of the woods at her. The male was wearing a sky blue polo with thin white stripes, and tan colored khaki cargo shorts with sneakers. It has been reported that the male jumped out of the woods at two other females. The male was seen riding a bicycle but was on foot when these events took place. Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call Swatara Police at 717-564-2550.

     

     

    Swatara Police to Recognize Local Officers

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    The Swatara Township Police Department will be recognizing the following Organization and Officers with its Departmental awards at the Swatara Township Board of Commissioners Meeting the evening of March 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

     

    Harrisburg Bureau of Police Vice Unit

    Award of Merit:
    Harrisburg Bureau of Police Vice Unit

    Letter of Commendation:
    Corporal Gabriel Olivera
    D
    etective Sean Cornick
    Detective Donald Heffner
    Detective David Lau

     

    Swatara Township Police Department Officers with the Dauphin County Crisis Response Team

    Medal of Valor:
    Corporal Kevin Gallick

    Medal of Heroism:
    Lieutenant Darrell Reider
    D
    etective Timothy Shatto
    Officer Dennis Krahling
    Officer Timothy Kramer
    Officer Andrew Minnich

     

    Dauphin County Crisis Response Team Commander

    Letter of Commendation:
    Chief Robert Martin, Susquehanna Township Police Department

     
    In addition to the awards handed out, the following personnel changes will be recognized:

    Completion of Probation of Officer Brett DeGroat. Officer DeGroat was hired in February 2012.

    The promotion of Officer Dennis Krahling to the rank of Sergeant. Krahling has been with the Swatara Township Police Department since October 2000 and is a Veteran of the U.S. Marines Corps.

    We would like to invite you to recognize these fine Officers and Organizations for their hard work and dedication to the Community. 

    Driver Causes 3 Vehicle Collision

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    On March 6, 2013 at 6:05 PM, Swatara Township Police were dispatched to a traffic complaint in the 8700 of Paxton Street (State Route 322). Officers were told that a blue or green vehicle resembling a Ford Escort was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic.

    The suspect vehicle was gone upon police arrival. However, three other eastbound cars had crashed into each other in their effort to avoid the suspect driver. Information was received from a witness that the vehicle had improperly entered the eastbound lanes of 322 at the Middletown Road interchange in Derry Township.

    Swatara Township Officers later received information that the suspect vehicle had been involved in a crash on Interstate 283 at approximately 7:30 PM, which was handled by the Pennsylvania State Police, and the driver was taken into custody.

    Swatara Township Police Recover Stolen Firearm and Arrest Violent Felon

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    Donald L.Barbour IIIOn Saturday 23 February 2013 at 10:33 am an alert Swatara Township patrol officer attempted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle with a suspended registration plate. As the officer was attempting to make contact with the driver of the vehicle he fled on foot into the Greenbelt behind the McDonald’s off of Paxton Street. Officers gave chase and apprehended the driver in the wooded area behind the McDonald’s.

    The driver was identified as Donald L. Barbour III B/M/25 of 300 block of South 14th Street Harrisburg, PA. Subsequent investigation will result in Barbour being charged with numerous crimes: Former Convict not to Possess a Firearm, Carrying a Firearm without a License, Receiving Stolen Property, Flight to Avoid Apprehension and numerous Motor Vehicle code offenses.

    The firearm recovered was a .380 calibre handgun which was reported stolen to the Pennsylvania State Police in Chambersburg, PA on 27 November 2012.

    Barbour has an extensive criminal history to include drug offenses and crimes of violence. He was lodged in Dauphin County Prison on a Parole Detainer as he is under active supervision with the Dauphin County Adult Probation and Parole Department.