Eight people have been linked to the March disappearance of a man after investigators learned he had ongoing issues with several people and that a “bounty had been placed on his head,” according to the Reading Police Department.
Multiple arrest warrants were issued following a seven-month investigation into the disappearance of Michael Petrino Jr., who was reported missing by family members in late March. Although the missing person report was filed in western Lebanon County, investigators quickly learned that Petrino had been frequenting the Reading area before his disappearance, prompting Reading police to take the lead in the investigation.
On Friday, Reading police shared some of the investigation’s findings and timeline of events linked to Petrino’s disappearance.
Investigators first learned that Petrino had rented a Jeep Compass, which was found on Muhlenberg Street days after he disappeared.
As the investigation unfolded, police learned that Petrino was lured to the area of North Second and Oley streets during the early morning hours of March 25 by three people identified as Jayden Santiago, Jayden Edwards and Amir Frazier, who were traveling in Petrino’s rented Jeep.
Police said they obtained information from “numerous” sources indicating that Petrino had ongoing disputes with several people and that a bounty had been placed on his head.
Surveillance footage from N. 2nd Street and Oley Street showed Petrino’s Jeep entering and parking in an alleyway. Santiago was then seen getting out of the Jeep while using his cellphone.
After reviewing digital evidence, investigators learned that Santiago, Edwards and Frazier were in a group chat with three other people, identified as Gerson Caicedo, Khalil Nein and Jazmeire Brockington.
In that chat, police said Santiago communicated that he would provide a signal when the Jeep arrived. Surveillance footage also showed that signal being given and a tan Chevrolet sedan entering the alley shortly after, parking bumper-to-bumper with the Jeep.
Evidence indicates that Petrino was assaulted, forced out of the jeep, placed into the Chevrolet sedan and driven from the area, investigators said.
Police also determined that Edwards, Santiago and Frazier left the area of N. 2nd Street and Oley Street to abandon the Jeep and destroy his cellphone.
Moreover, investigators learned that Nein, Brockington and Caicedo drove to a secluded location and met with two other people, later identified as Luke Foxx and Josiah Vaux.
According to police, Foxx and Vaux, both armed with firearms, bound Petrino and placed him in the car they had arrived in and drove away from the area.
On Oct. 22, Reading Police Department officers and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Foxx and Vaux. Both face second-degree murder charges, kidnapping and other offenses in connection with Petrino’s disappearance.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Michael Petrino Jr. or information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to please 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. Crime Alert offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.
