Three people were arrested and several firearms seized Wednesday during police raids in two different parts of the City of Reading. The raids stem from a firearms trafficking and theft investigation in conjunction with the Central Berks Regional Police Department.
The investigation was led by Reading Police Criminal Investigator Eric Sweitzer and Central Berks Detective Joseph Taimanglo
The Berks County Detectives, Pennsylvania State Police, West Reading Police Department, and US Department of Homeland Security also assisted in the investigation.
On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, the Berks County Emergency Response Team assisted the Reading Police Department in serving search warrants in the 500 block of South 18th Street and 1500 block of North 14th Street in the City of Reading.
As a result of the investigation, three adults were arrested and numerous firearms and firearm accessories were recovered.
The following individuals were arrested:
Ilsa Villanueva-Torres a 45 year old Reading Woman, was charged with 4 counts of Unsworn Falsifications and Straw Purchasing Firearms.
Eliam Torres-Villanueva a 21 year old Reading man was charged with Carrying a Firearm W/Out a License and Possessions of an Instrument of Crime.
Vincent Campbell a 18 year old Reading man was charged with 12 counts of Persons not to Possess, 2 counts of Firearms W/Out a License and 2 counts of Receiving Stolen Property.
“This investigation, arrests and seizure of firearms is a testament to the collaboration of law enforcement agencies in Berks County, and to the ongoing efforts of the Reading Police Department to target gun violence” said Police Chief Richard Tornielli.
“We will continue to engage our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal to combat violent crime in the City of Reading.”
The Reading Police Department is requesting that anyone with information on illegal firearms within the City of Reading contact the Reading Police Department at 610-655- 6116. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Alert Berks County’s anonymous tip line at 1(877) 373-9913.
