Two additional suspects have been arrested on murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the disappearance of Michael Petrino Jr., bringing the total number of individuals charged in the case to eight following a seven-month investigation led by the Reading Police Department.
Luke Foxx, 21, and Josiah Vaux, 23, were taken into custody Thursday, October 22, 2026, by members of the Reading Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Both face charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping and related offenses.
The arrests mark the latest development in an investigation that previously resulted in charges against six other individuals, including three juveniles charged as adults.
Petrino was reported missing by family members in western Lebanon County in late March. Investigators in Lebanon County determined that he had been frequenting the Reading area before his disappearance, prompting Reading police to assume the lead in the investigation.
According to police, Petrino was allegedly lured to the area of North Second and Oley streets during the early morning hours of March 25 by three individuals identified in the latest police announcement as Jayden Santiago, Jayden Edwards and Amir Frazier.
Investigators said the three were traveling in a Jeep Compass rented by Petrino. Information obtained from multiple sources indicated that Petrino had ongoing disputes with several individuals in Berks County and that a bounty had been placed on his head.
Surveillance footage obtained from the area showed Petrino’s Jeep entering and parking in an alleyway. Santiago was observed exiting the vehicle while using his cellphone.
A review of digital evidence revealed that Santiago, Edwards and Frazier were participating in a group chat with three other individuals identified as Gerson Caicedo, Khalil Nein and Jazmeire Brockington.
According to investigators, Santiago communicated through the group chat that he would provide a signal when the Jeep arrived. Additional surveillance footage allegedly captured that signal, followed by a tan Chevrolet sedan entering the alley and parking bumper-to-bumper with the Jeep.
Police said evidence indicates that Petrino was assaulted, forcibly removed from the Jeep, placed into the Chevrolet sedan and driven away.
Investigators determined that Santiago, Edwards and Frazier subsequently left the area to abandon Petrino’s rented Jeep and destroy his cellphone. The Jeep was later discovered abandoned in the 1200 block of Muhlenberg Street in Reading and processed for evidence.
Police previously identified the tan Chevrolet sedan as being registered to Caicedo.
The latest findings revealed that Nein, Brockington and Caicedo were in communication and drove to a secluded location, where they met Foxx and Vaux.
According to police, Foxx and Vaux were both armed with firearms and allegedly bound Petrino before placing him into their vehicle and leaving the area.
The latest announcement provides additional details about what investigators believe happened after Petrino was initially abducted, including the alleged involvement of Foxx and Vaux.
In an earlier announcement, police identified six individuals who had been charged in connection with the disappearance.
Three juveniles, identified at the time by their initials, were taken into custody and charged as adults. Two, ages 17 and 16, faced kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy charges. A third, age 16, faced kidnapping, false imprisonment and conspiracy charges.
Caicedo, 21, and Brockington, 19, were charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and conspiracy. Both were already incarcerated on unrelated charges at the time of the earlier announcement, with Caicedo being held at Berks County Prison.
Nein, 20, was also charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and conspiracy. He was taken into custody June 17 with assistance from the Berks County Emergency Response Team.
With Thursday’s arrests, eight individuals have now been identified in connection with the investigation.
Despite the latest murder charges, Petrino’s whereabouts remain unknown based on information released by police. Authorities have not announced the recovery of his body.
The Reading Police Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information about Petrino’s whereabouts or the investigation is asked to contact Reading police at 610-655-6116. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Alert Berks County at 1-877-373-9913. Cash rewards are available for information leading to an arrest.
All individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
