Prosecutors are looking for the public's help in identifying a man who may have made two bomb threats against the Montgomery County courthouse last week.

The first threat was phoned into the county's 911 center at 8:32 a.m. on January 29 from a pay phone at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at Main Street and Montgomery Avenue, the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office said.

A man told the emergency dispatcher there were "explosives and bombs" inside the courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania, prosecutors said.

Three minutes later, second call was made by a man from a cell phone that was in the area of the 7-Eleven, authorities said.

The courthouse was evacuated and building swept. No explosives were found.

Detectives pulled surveillance video from the convenience store which showed a man, dressed in a gray hoodie, black pants and wearing sunglasses, making a call from the store's pay phone at the same time as the first threat.

Investigators also found another image showing what appeared to be the same man, without the hood and sunglasses up, outside the 7-Eleven about a half-hour before the first threat was phoned in.

Anyone who may recognize the man is asked to call the Montgomery County Detectives at 610.278.3368.

Surveillance video caught two men holding up employees at a popular bar in the Fairmount section of the city last week.

Philadelphia Police said two men entered the Urban Saloon on Fairmount Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Thursday and demanded money from four employees closing up for the night.

The suspect armed with a handgun held the employees in the bar while the second suspect removed an unknown amount of money from a register, reported police. Both men fled by foot east on Fairmount Avenue.

Luckily no one was hurt.

Police describe the armed suspect as a man between 19 and 22 years old, standing about 5-foot, 9-inches tall who wore a black face mask, gray hooded sweatshirt and bluejeans during the heist. The second suspect is believed to also be around the same age, standing about 5-foot, 8-inches tall, with an overbite, who wore a green hoodie.

Any information about this crime or suspects can be reported to the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093/3094.

Philadelphia Police formally charged a mother after a fight escalated into a shooting in the Nicetown-Tioga section of the city Monday night.

On Tuesday, police announced the arrest of Lashanda Anderson of the 2600 block of Roberts Avenue.

The ordeal began when the 33-year-old and another woman along with an unidentified 30-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl had an argument with a 27-year-old woman and a 24-year-old woman at a laundromat on the 2600 block of Roberts Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. Monday where the windshield of one of the victims' SUVs was broken out, police said.

The mom and daughter knew the two women before the incident, according to sources.

After the argument, the mom and daughter allegedly followed the two women as they drove away and at least one of them pulled out a gun and opened fire. Witnesses told police both the mom and the teen fired shots though investigators didn't give an age of the second suspected shooter.

The 27-year-old woman was grazed in the head and struck in the torso. The 28-year-old woman was struck in both legs. Both victims were taken to Temple University Hospital in stable condition.

Police arrested Anderson after stopping a Ford Explorer occupied by the 30-year-old woman and a 13-year-old. The other shooter got away, said police.

Police said that the 24-year-old victim's 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter were in her vehicle at the time of the shooting.

State Police detectives allege a northern New Jersey man had an electronic storage device that contained hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography.

Michael Prinzo was arrested after authorities executed a search warrant last month at his Weehawken home. They were acting on a tip called in to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

While searching Prinzo's home, detectives say they found a USB storage device hidden in a container. They say it was designed to appear like an ordinary toiletry product, but a forensic examination of the device revealed hundreds of illicit images and videos.

Authorities announced Tuesday that the 24-year-old Prinzo was charged with possessing and distributing child porn. His bail was set at $100,000, and it's not known if he retained an attorney.
 

How do you put an international spotlight on an issue like child sexual abuse which people often don’t like to hear about?

Have the leader of one the largest organized religions in the world stop by for a visit.

That’s what staff of the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA) are hoping will happen come September.

The nonprofit, which offers care to sexually abused children and works with police to bring their abusers to justice, penned a letter to Pope Francis asking him to visit their facility when he travels to Philadelphia for the upcoming World Meeting of Families conference.

"We really thought that knowing what we know about him, knowing about his interesting commitment to the welfare of children that it would be great to showcase our work to Pope Francis,” Chris Kirchner, PCA’s executive director, tells NBC10.

Based in the city’s Hunting Park neighborhood, PCA operates on a unique model where it provides counseling, forensic interviewing and family advocate services to victims in conjunction with social workers and law enforcement. The Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit, city prosecutors and Department of Human Services all share space with the PCA in the same combined facility.

“We do the interviews and the police and DHS watch from behind closed-circuit TV or a one-way mirror,” Kirchner said. “We stop the abuse, DHS or the police intervene to remove the abusers and the child gets what they need to begin healing.”

“It’s a pretty cool model. It’s effective. It’s something that we wanted to show the pope,” she said.

In a few months, a clinic will open where pediatricians from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children will provide medical care to victims.

The Catholic Church has been working to overcome an intense worldwide scandal involving the sexual abuse of children by clergy. Evidence uncovered during the prosecution of local priests accused of molesting children showed some church leaders were aware of the abuse and covered up the crimes.

In 2013, Pope Francis created a commission to come up with strategies to protect children and deal with the problem. Its members include bishops, experts and victims of abuse.

PCA sees about 200 children a month after receiving referrals from police and social services agencies. A pontifical visit would not only draw attention to their work locally, but offer groundwork for counterparts in other countries where there are little or no services for abused children.

“Ultimately, it’s about getting services for kids and continuing to talk about these issues in the public so that it doesn’t hide in the shadows. This could be another big step,” Kirchner said.

So how likely is it the pope will stop by? There’s a chance — albeit small.

A key archbishop working on the itinerary for the U.S. tour said Pope Francis would like to visit children at either a hospital or prison while in Philadelphia. An organization like the PCA, which cares for children in some of the worst moments of their lives, could fit the model.

Donna Farrell, spokeswoman for the World Meeting of Families, said dozens of local organizations are vying for a visit from the pontiff. But it’s not up to her organization or the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to choose.

“The final decision on Pope Francis’ schedule ultimately lies with the Vatican,” she said. “We don’t expect any announcements to be made about the specifics of the visit for months."

Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter and Facebook.

A stray bullet entered the bedroom of a sleeping child during a shooting in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania.

The unidentified gunman fired several shots on Bryn Mawr Avenue around midnight Wednesday. A bullet from the gunman’s weapon went through a home on the 600 block of Bryn Mawr, ricocheted off a wall inside the house and then entered a 12-year-old child’s bedroom as he or she slept, police said.

At the time, the child’s family was unaware a shooting had occurred, according to investigators. The father told police he heard what he thought was the sound of someone hitting the house. He got up and checked but didn’t see anything.

It wasn’t until Saturday when the child’s mother located shrapnel on the floor of her child’s room. The family called police who found a bullet, believed to be in the .38 caliber range, inside the bedroom.

Police also found a street sign with two bullet holes inside it on the 300 block of Bryn Mawr Avenue. Police believe the bullet holes came from the same weapon that fired the shot into the bedroom.

No arrests have been made and police have not yet released a description of any suspects. They also told NBC10 recent snow on the ground is hampering the investigation as they’ve been unable to locate any rounds on the street. They are asking anyone who was in the area of Bryn Mawr Avenue at midnight on Wednesday to come forward with information.
 

Police are searching for a suspect who used a fake grenade while robbing a Center City bank Tuesday.

The unidentified suspect robbed the Susquehanna Bank at 1845 Walnut St. During the robbery, he threatened to use a grenade which turned out to be fake, according to police.

The robber fled the scene after stealing an unknown amount of cash. No injuries were reported.

Police later found a fake grenade on the 2000 block of Fitzwater Street in South Philadelphia. The device matched a surveillance photo of the fake grenade used by the suspect in the robbery, police said.

Police have not yet released a detailed description of the suspect. They continue to investigate.

This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.

A local photographer is trying to get his drone back after the device got stuck at the top of an abandoned water tower in Cape May County, New Jersey.

Michael Zuccato, a South Jersey photographer, was conducting flyovers of the Cape May Light House with his $1300 camera-equipped drone. His device vanished in flight over a week ago however.

“It disappeared,” Zuccato said. “Visually I could not see it. “

Zuccato figured out where it was Sunday when a different drone, owned by Matt Dykhouse, spotted it stuck 120 feet up on top of an abandoned water tower near Sunset Beach in Lower Township, New Jersey.

Dykhouse tried to grab Zuccato’s drone with a make-shift hook but wasn’t able to snag it.

“The wind was fighting us every inch of the way,” Dykhouse said. “So it’s a bad season for it but we certainly tried.”

The growing popularity of drones has led to several safety concerns, mainly the potential for collisions with planes and devices crashing onto people.

“I didn’t fly in an area where there were people or it could cause harm to somebody,” Zuccato said. “I’m sure there’s going to be concern in the future about these things getting out of hand.”

Another drone recovery effort is planned for this weekend. This time Zuccato and his friends will try to use a flying fishing rod to grab it. 

The Democratic National Committee may still be deciding whether to host the 2016 convention in Philadelphia, but the city is getting support from Beltway media.

Washington Post editorial board member Jonathan Capehart penned a blog post for the paper comparing the three contenders for the upcoming convention — Brooklyn, Columbus, Ohio and, of course, Philadelphia.

Outlining major concerns like security, fundraising, transportation and lodging for attendees, Cape hart admits Brooklyn may best Philly in those areas. Add in potential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton accepting the party's nod in the state she represented as a U.S. senator, and it may seem a lock for the borough.

But, Cape hart still says Philly offers "American drama" that no other city can.

"Democrats have an opportunity to remind the nation that love of country, the flag and the ideals we hold most dear are not the sole province of the Republican Party," he writes. "If Democrats want to propel their nominee out of their convention armed with the best argument for a third term in the White House, they will do so from Philadelphia."

Capehart's backing comes on the heels of an endorsement in the same newspaper by Chris Matthews, host of msnbc's "Hardball."

Matthews, a Northeast Philly native, outlined how a local convention could play out themes outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

"The four nights of the Democratic convention could highlight these powerful words and phrases of the Declaration of Independence.

An African American could speak proudly of the election of Barack Obama and of the continued struggle against voter suppression.

A gay couple could talk about marriage equality and their right to the pursuit of happiness.

A female delegate could make the case for equal treatment — and pay — in the workplace."

Philly hosted the Republican National Convention in 2000. The city will also play host to the World Meeting of Families and a visit by Pope Francis and two million of his closest followers. Proof, officials say, that the city can handle the crush of a modern political convention.

A small DNC contingent revisited all three cities last week ahead of their expected decision later this month.

A person was killed while another is in custody after a stabbing in a Chester County home.

Police were called to a home on the 1200 block of Estate Drive in West Goshen, Pennsylvania around 2 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived they found the body of an unidentified person inside the home. Police said the person was stabbed to death.

A man was taken into custody in relation to the stabbing though he has not been officially charged. Police have not yet revealed his identity. The Daily Local reported he was covered in blood as police led him away from the home in handcuffs. He was taken to the hospital before being placed in police custody, according to the Daily Local.

Police have not yet revealed what led to the stabbing. They continue to investigate.
 

Crowds marched to City Hall in Bridgeton, New Jersey Tuesday night to protest the police-involved shooting death of Jerame Reid.

Reid, 36, of Bridgeton, was shot and killed by two police officers during a traffic stop back on Dec. 30. A dashcam video was recently released showing the shooting and what led to it.

The protesters compared Reid’s death to the police-involved shootings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.  Two of the protesters were cited after they allegedly confronted police during the rally. No one was injured. 

The dashcam video released in January shows Bridgeton Police officers Braheme Days and Roger Worley pulling Jerame Reid and Leroy Tutt over on South Avenue and Henry Street in Bridgeton the night of Dec. 30. Tutt was driving at the time while Reid was in the passenger seat.

In the video, Days walks up to the passenger side of the vehicle, where Reid is sitting, and informs the two men they were pulled over because Tutt ran through a stop sign on South Pine Street. Days then asks to see a driver's license. Suddenly Days pulls out his weapon, points it at Reid and repeatedly screams, "show me your hands" and "don't move."

Officer Worley runs toward the driver's side of the vehicle with his own weapon drawn. Tutt can be seen raising his hands out of the vehicle. It's unclear from the video however whether Reid is raising his hands as well.

"Get him out the car Rog," Days tells his partner. "We've got a gun in his glove compartment."

Days once again tells Reid not to move, opens the door and takes a silver object, which appears to be a gun, out of the car. Days then again repeatedly tells Reid not to move and to show him his hands.

"I'm gonna shoot ya!" Days screams. "You're gonna be f****** dead! I'm telling you! If you reach for something you're gonna be f****** dead! I'm telling you! I'm telling you! Keep your f****** hands right there! Eh, eh, Jerome, if you reach for something you're gonna be f****** dead! He's reaching! He's reaching! Show me your f****** hands!

Reid responds to Days though it's unclear from the video what exactly he's saying.

"No you're not!" Days responds. "No you're not! No you're not! Don't f****** move!"

Days then backs away with his gun still raised. Reid then gets out of the car and appears to have at least one of his hands raised. He takes a step toward Days who then opens fire. Worley opens fire as well. In the video at least six shots are heard.

After Reid drops to the ground, the officers tell Tutt to get out of the car and drop to the ground, which Tutt does. Several people are then heard shouting in the background as police handcuff Tutt.

Since the shooting, the officers involved have been placed on paid leave.

Jerame Reid had a 3-month-old son, according to his cousin Keesha Springs. He was also incarcerated last summer for possession of heroin, cocaine, contempt of court and resisting arrest. Days was one of the officers who arrested Reid on the drug charges, according to the South Jersey Times.

The South Jersey Times also reports Reid spent 13 years in state prison for shooting at three New Jersey State Police troopers when he was a teenager.

During Tuesday night’s rally, Walter Hudson, the chairman and founder of the National Awareness Alliance told NBC10 Reid had a pending lawsuit against Cumberland County at the time of his death. The lawsuit accused corrections officers of assaulting Reid while he was in the county jail back in 2009.

“He was beaten up while he was in jail,” Hudson said. “He suffered a fractured eye socket. From my understanding, from talking to his wife, he had some very extensive damages.”

After his death, Reid's widow hired a law firm to investigate the shooting.

A New Jersey teacher who works with special needs students has been suspended from her job, accused of hitting several students with a ruler in the classroom, officials say.

The teacher at Berkeley Terrace School in Irvington works mostly with first-graders, according to Irvington school superintendent Dr. Neely Hackett. A parent complained to the principal that their daughter was hit by the teacher with a ruler, and the principal in turn reported it to a state agency and removed the teacher from class.

One father told NBC 4 New York that he was called to a school meeting last week with other parents in the class, where they were told about the teacher's suspension. 

After Mandel Purkett learned the news, he said his son, 6-year-old Nasir Purkett, told him he'd been hit with the ruler, and his behavior -- like avoiding school -- began to make sense. 

"It makes me feel angry, very angry," said Purkett. "I think she should be behind bars, not suspended with pay." 

The superintendent said authorities are taking the allegations seriously and investigating. Irvington police did not comment, although several parents said they have filed police reports. 

Two teachers aides who worked with the teacher have been fired. They were contracted for hire from Essex County, according to officials. 

It's not clear how many times the kids were allegedly hit, or how many children were hit. 

A driver suffering from gunshot wounds crashed more than a mile away after police said he sideswiped a New Jersey police officer and his cruiser overnight.

The incident began with a traffic stop at Chestnut & Walnut avenues in Trenton after 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, said Trenton Police Det. Lt. Steve Varn.

During the stop, the driver, identified by police as 23-year-old Jeremiah Sanchez, tried to run down the officers, striking an officer outside of his patrol vehicle. The officer was treated for a leg injury, his partner wasn't seriously hurt.

The officers opened fire, striking Sanchez in his neck and arm, said police. Despite being shot, Sanchez fled the scene, said investigators.

Police found Sanchez— suffering from the bullet wounds — and his car about 1-1/2 miles away along E State Street in Hamilton Township. He had slammed into multiple parked cars before coming to a stop, said investigators.

Doctors treated Sanchez and he remained in Capital Health Medical Center - Fuld in stable condition Wednesday morning.

Varn didn't say if Sanchez was previously known to police.

A water main break caused problems for a Montgomery County community Wednesday morning.

The pipe burst overnight along W 8th Street near Maple Avenue in Lansdale sending water shooting up from the ground.

As Skyforce10 hovered overhead before daybreak, crews from North Penn Water could be seen working to stop the break after opening a large hole in the street.

It wasn’t clear how many buildings were left without water. The break is near the Knights of Columbus hall.

Expect icy conditions in the area.