The girlfriend of an off-duty Darby Borough police officer who was shot and killed in his own home last Saturday has been charged with his murder. The Delaware County District Attorney announced the charges Tuesday against 27-year-old Tyaina Finch.
"He was murdered, it's that simple," said Darby Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe. "When the facts come out, it might be more of an assassination than a murder."
Finch was charged with first and third degree murder as well as aggravated assault and a weapons offense in the death of Darby Borough Officer Mark Hudson, 26. Finch is being held at the George Hill Correctional Facility.
"We always, from the beginning, had suspicions that she was the one," Darby Twp. Police Chief Len McDevitt Jr. said.
The announcement came the morning after Finch was charged with threatening Officer Hudson, 26, with a knife last summer.
Hudson was at his Magnolia Street home in Darby Township Saturday around 4:30 p.m. when he was shot in the chest in a second-floor bedroom. He was shot by his own service revolver several feet away, according to sources.
He was rushed to Penn Presbyterian where he died a short time later.
Finch, who police say was inside the home when officers arrived, was taken away in handcuffs. Neighbors told NBC10 police were called to the Magnolia St. home for domestic disputes several times over recent months.
In the hours after the shooting, Finch initially told police the shooting was accidental and that Hudson's gun suddenly went off when she tried to remove it from the mouth of their dog who had picked it up, investigators said.
Finch later changed her story however and told police she acted in self-defense after a half-hour long fight with Hudson, according to officials. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan told NBC10 evidence does not support Finch's claim of self-defense however.
Hudson filed for an emergency Protection from Abuse order last January, police said. He also called police last August after he and Finch had an argument, investigators said.
The two were in the middle of a break-up and Hudson told her to leave his home, according to officials. During the argument, Finch allegedly grabbed an 8-inch kitchen knife while screaming at Hudson. Hudson hid in an upstairs bedroom, locked the door and called police, investigators said.
On Monday, Finch was charged with possession of an instrument of crime with intent, simple assault and terroristic threats in connection with that incident while hospitalized for an unrelated medical issue. She was arraigned at the hospital and Hudson’s handcuffs were placed on her wrists when the bedside arraignment took place, according to multiple sources.
Police believe Finch and Hudson had just recently rekindled their relationship prior to the shooting.
Hudson worked part-time for the Darby Borough Police Department for four years. Darby Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe told NBC10 he planned to recommend him for full-time duty due to the quality of his work.
He was also one of 50 volunteer firefighters in Yeadon Borough. He joined the fire company at the age of 16 and volunteered for the past 10 years.
"At first he was a little shy and then he opened up and he's everybody's friend," said Yeadon Fire Co. Chief Michael Dilenno. "He's got this infectious smile. He's just goofy and he's fun to be around. Everybody at the firehouse here loved him."
A man is on life support after a New Jersey police officer driving to work hit him as he tried to cross the street Monday night, police said.
The 28-year-old man was walking across Kennedy Boulevard in Guttenberg just before midnight when he was struck by a Honda Accord driven by the West New York officer, Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari said.
The officer, who was not on duty at the time, stopped and helped the injured man after hitting him, authorities said. Another police officer passing by in a patrol car also stopped to help.
North Bergen EMS took the man, who was in cardiac arrest, to Palisades Medical Center. His brothers were by his side at the hospital, where he was listed in "very critical condition," officials said.
The officer driving the Honda was taken to Palisades Medical Center for shock and has since been released. Authorities say he doesn't appear he was speeding when he hit the man.
A sheriff spokesman said there is surveillance video of the victim staggering out of a bar before he was hit. No criminality is suspected on the part of the officer, authorities said.
The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE: Police have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Paul Jordan. NEW DETAILS HERE
Police surrounded a Montgomery County firehouse for an hour Tuesday after a disgruntled volunteer firefighter -- kicked out of the company the day before -- came back with a gun and held four firefighters hostage in the basement.
The incident played out at La Mott Fire Company, No. 1 on Penrose Avenue in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania starting around 10:40 a.m.
"Before we received the call he did fire one shot into the wall," said Cheltenham Township Police Chief John Norris.
After the shot, some people ran from the building but four others remained. The ex-firefighter, who is believed to be around 30 years old, almost immediately released one hostage before hunkering down with the other three, said police.
Hostage negotiators got in contact with the yet-to-be-identified suspect by phone then in person after police cleared the ground floor of the building, said investigators.
After about one hour, officers in SWAT gear detained a man on the ground took him away from the scene.
"He gave up to the SWAT team without a fight, there were no problems," said Norris.
A short time later, police could be seen loading that person into a police van and that van driving off toward the police station on Old York Road.
"The main thing is nobody got hurt," said Norris.
The alleged gunman was a volunteer firefighter who'd been in an ongoing argument with the fire company that eventually led to his dismissal, said Norris. Investigators didn't elaborate on the reason for the dismissal.
Police took the accused man and four hostages in for questioning. Norris expects to charge the man after interviewing everyone involved.
Cheltenham Township Police blocked roads in the area as the situation played out. Police from nearby areas also responded to the scene as investigators urged people to avoid the area, which isn't far from a shopping center along Cheltenham Avenue and the Lynnewood Gardens apartments; and sits next to John Russell Park.
The La Mott fire company has been around since 1910. Firefighters there are responsible for protecting more than 2,100 people in their immediate area, which includes homes, two schools a major shopping mall, numerous churches and one major apartment complex, according to the fire company’s website. It’s one of five fire companies in Cheltenham Township.
“Historical La Mott” includes land inside the township that is outlined by Old York Road to the east, Penrose Avenue to the west, Beech Avenue to the North and Cheltenham Avenue to the south.
An elderly customer was killed when a car plowed through the front of a Northeast Philadelphia nail salon Tuesday afternoon.
An elderly woman was driving the vehicle when she slammed into Cindy's Nails & Spa in the Belair Shopping Center on the 9800 block of Bustleton Ave., just before noon killing the customer who was inside the salon and injuring another customer as well as an employee, police said.
The injured were taken to Aria Torresdale in critical condition.
The driver and her passenger were not injured in the deadly crash which police believe was an accident.
No charges are expected to be filed.
A community is in mourning after a teen boy discovered his parents dead with wounds from a chainsaw inside a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania home Tuesday.
"It strikes home," said Eric Shallcross, a family friend. "It's unbelievable."
The 14-year-old boy told police he found his parents unresponsive inside their home on the 1100 block of Country Lane in Lower Moreland around 12:50 p.m. Investigators said the victims, a 48-year-old man and his 43-year-old wife, had lacerations from a chainsaw that was found lying nearby.
Prosecutors confirmed one of the deaths was a homicide while the other is under investigation. Officials also say they are not searching for any suspects in the case.
Police are not identifying the couple pending the notification of all family members.
Aside from their 14-year-old son, the couple had two other children who were not in the home when they were found dead. Eric Carswell, the pastor of Bryn Athyn Church, was teaching religion class to one of the children when the school learned about the incident.
"This is not what we would wish for anybody," Carswell said. "I'm very grateful for a sense that the boys have an extended family that is really taking good care of them."
Friends of the victims gathered at Bryn Athyn Cathedral Tuesday night for a prayer vigil.
Friends also told NBC10 there were problems in the couple's marriage.
"I knew they had some complications with their marriage," Shallcross said. "But a lot of marriages do. Most marriages do I'm sure."
An autopsy on the couple is scheduled for Wednesday.
Officials are investigating the death of a New Jersey man who died while in police custody Tuesday.
"As many of you have already heard, earlier today a tragedy occurred involving Officers and a citizen," said Vineland Police Chief Timothy Codispoti. "Sadly, this call for service resulted in an “in–custody, non-shooting death” which is being investigated by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s office"
The man, identified as Phillip White, was arrested at a home on the 100 block of Grape Street in Vineland, New Jersey around 11 a.m. Tuesday. He died shortly after while in custody.
Witnesses told NBC10 officers were extremely physical with White after he was already restrained and unconscious on the street.
"They punched him, stomped him, kicked him and then they let the dog out of the car," said Ricardo Garcia. "The dog bit him on his face and around his body. There's no call for that. Once a man is handcuffed and unconscious, you should have stuck him in the patrol car and take him to the police station. Instead they decided to beat him right here."
A dog is heard barking on a police dispatch recording of the incident.
"118 West Grape," the dispatcher says in the recording. "Subject...hyperventilating. Officers out."
An officer is also heard on the recording.
"Slow all units down," the officer says. "Subject under...tried disarming me."
The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating the incident. A spokesperson for the office told NBC10 White was being arrested but they haven't revealed why.
White's aunt, Valerie White, told NBC10 she is desperate for answers.
"Why, what he was doing, I don't know," she said. "I'm trying to get answers and closure now. He lived a street life but he was a human being. Bottom line."
While police have not yet released information regarding what led to the arrest or how White died, Chief Codispoti expressed his condolences for his family.
"Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased and with the Officers involved," he said. " I ask that everyone allow time for our justice system to now investigate this matter to its truthful conclusion. The Vineland Police Department is cooperating with the prosecutor’s office and I urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the prosecutor’s office with your information. At this time updates regarding the progress of this investigation are being released through the prosecutor’s office."
Police identified a volunteer firefighter accused of holding four other firefighters hostage in the basement of a Montgomery County firehouse Tuesday.
Paul Jordan, 25, was taken into custody after a standoff situation at the La Mott Fire Company, No. 1 on Penrose Avenue in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, officials said. The ordeal began around 10:40 a.m. when Jordan, who investigators say was armed with a 9mm handgun, fired a shot into the wall of the building, according to police.
"Before we received the call he did fire one shot into the wall," said Cheltenham Township Police Chief John Norris.
After the shot, some people ran from the building but four others remained. Jordan, a former firefighter, almost immediately released one hostage before hunkering down with the other three, said police.
Hostage negotiators got in contact with Jordan by phone then in person after police cleared the ground floor of the building, said investigators.
After about one hour, officers in SWAT gear detained Jordan on the ground and took him away from the scene.
"He gave up to the SWAT team without a fight, there were no problems," said Norris.
A short time later, police could be seen loading Jordan into a police van and that van driving off toward the police station on Old York Road.
"The main thing is nobody got hurt," said Norris.
Jordan was a volunteer firefighter who'd been in an ongoing argument with the fire company that eventually led to his dismissal, said Norris. Police said Jordan was "distraught about the termination."
Investigators didn't elaborate on the reason for the dismissal. Jordan also worked for the Salvation Army Emergency Response Team and is also the property manager for the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
"He's a respectable person," said Kyeisha Harris, Jordan's neighbor. "You never thought people could do something like that. It don't make no sense. Like, would he just snap? I don't know."
Police took Jordan and four hostages in for questioning. Jordan was then taken to Norristown State Hospital for a psychiatric observation. Charges against him are pending.
Jamaal Robinson, one of the hostages, told NBC10 he was doing fine after the tense ordeal.
"I've been in the military so it's not scary for me," he said.
Cheltenham Township Police blocked roads in the area as the situation played out. Police from nearby areas also responded to the scene as investigators urged people to avoid the area, which isn't far from a shopping center along Cheltenham Avenue and the Lynnewood Gardens apartments; and sits next to John Russell Park.
The La Mott fire company has been around since 1910. Firefighters there are responsible for protecting more than 2,100 people in their immediate area, which includes homes, two schools a major shopping mall, numerous churches and one major apartment complex, according to the fire company’s website. It’s one of five fire companies in Cheltenham Township.
“Historical La Mott” includes land inside the township that is outlined by Old York Road to the east, Penrose Avenue to the west, Beech Avenue to the North and Cheltenham Avenue to the south.
A 14-year-old boy is in the hospital after he was shot in South Philadelphia late Tuesday afternoon.
The teen was on 13th and Christian streets at 4:37 p.m. when an unidentified gunman opened fire.
The teen was struck once in the left buttocks. He was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where he is currently in stable condition.
No weapon was recovered and police have not released information on any suspects.
This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.
NBC10 and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce have partnered to bring you the first official debate among all six 2015 Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates right here on NBC10 on April 7 at 7 p.m. moderated by Jim Rosenfield.
In an effort to help keep you informed about each candidate and their political stance on various issues, we've asked all six the same 10 questions.
Click on a candidate's picture below to see the questions and their answers.
A fire chief accused of dropping his pants in front of a female guard during a security check is set to retire.
Dennis Brooks, the head of Atlantic City's Fire Department will retire on Wednesday, according to a spokesman for the Atlantic City mayor.
Brooks was placed on administrative leave amid allegations of sexual harassment from a female security guard.
“She was appalled,” said the woman’s attorney Sebastian Ionno. “She was just in complete shock.”
Ionno told NBC10 the alleged incident occurred March 5 as Brooks was passing through a metal detector during a standard screening inside the Atlantic City Fire Department building. The woman claimed her request for Brooks to “remove metal from pockets” quickly turned inappropriate.
“At that point, Chief Brooks undid his belt, pulled down his pants and told my client he was having a bad day,” Ionno said. “Standing there in his underwear, one of the highest ranking members of the Atlantic City government.”
Ionno and the worker sent a complaint letter to the city’s attorney calling on city officials to preserve any evidence, including surveillance video, that may have captured the alleged incident. Ionno told NBC10 his client hasn’t decided yet whether she wants to file a lawsuit. At this point however, Ionno wants Brooks to be reprimanded and does not want the worker to face any repercussions.
“Even though she is concerned about the consequences against her, she felt she had to do this for herself and for other employees,” Ionno said.
Earlier in March, NBC10 obtained surveillance video allegedly showing Brooks dropping his pants.
NBC10 reached out to Brooks for comment. We have not yet heard back from him. At this point, police say they are not conducting a criminal investigation. The Atlantic City Mayor’s Office told NBC10 an internal investigation is underway however.
A man who went missing last year was found dead inside the Schuylkill River Friday after police say he had been shot several times in the head.
Vito Maglio Sr., 69, of Philadelphia was last seen leaving Macaroni’s Restaurant Lounge on 9315 Old Bustleton Avenue around 6 p.m. back on Dec. 14.
On Dec. 16 police found a 2008 GMC Yukon on the 5800 block of North Beechwood Street. The vehicle had been on fire but the flames were extinguished, according to investigators. Investigators later determined the vehicle belonged to Maglio.
On Friday, Maglio’s nude body was spotted by a passer-by floating in the Schuylkill river near the U.S. 1 highway overpass in East Falls around 4 p.m. Police say Maglio died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head. His death has been ruled a homicide.
No arrests have been made and police have not yet released information on any suspects. They continue to investigate.
Stephanie Caraballo
Stephanie Caraballo, 33, of Philadelphia was last seen in the Philly area on March 28 and has not been seen since then.
Caraballo's sister told NBC10 she had just been released from a mental hospital prior to her disappearance. She is the mother of four children, according to her sister.
Caraballo is described as a light skinned Hispanic female standing 5-foot-2 with an average build and brown eyes. She also has died blonde hair worn in two braids.
If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-3353.
Rachael Lynn Manzo
Rachael Lynn Manzo, 17, of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, was last seen Sunday night and was reported missing around 10:30 a.m. Monday.
Friends told police Manzo texted an unidentified man Sunday and may have planned on meeting him. Police also say there are indications she left her home on her own accord.
Manzo is described as a white female standing 5-foot-1 and weighing 100 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. Police also say she may be carrying a book bag and wearing Ugg boots.
If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call the New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Station at 856-451-0101.
Carmelo Rosario
Carmelo Rosario, 15, of the 700 block Ferry Avenue in Camden, NJ was last seen at his home on Saturday, March 22 before being reported missing.
Rosario is a Hispanic male standing 5'7" and weighing 110 pounds with green eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a green T-shirt, black jeans and black Nike sneakers.
His family told police he has never been reporting missing in the past, but often visits Walt Whitman Park in New York, the Cherry Hill Mall and Woodlynne, New Jersey.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the Camden County Police Department at 856-757-7042.
Kyle Kelly
Kyle Kelly, 13, was last seen on Friday, March 27 at Wayne Academy School, on the 5500 block of Wayne Ave. in the city's Germantown section. He usually takes the "K" SEPTA bus to his home on the 2900 block of West French St. after school, but failed to do so on Friday.
Kyle is 5'4", 100 pounds with brown eyes and gold-colored hair. He also has braces.
He was last seen wearing a blue colored shirt and navy pants.
Anyone with information on Kyle's whereabouts is urged to call Central Detectives at 215-686-3093 or 3094.
Jerry Joyce
Jerry Joyce, 58, was last seen at his residence in the Nova Nursing Home located on the 1700 block of Ellsworth Street Friday, March 27 before being reported missing.
Jerry, who suffers from schizophrenia and requires daily medication, was permitted to stay out Friday night until Saturday, March 28, but never returned.
Jerry is 5”8, 200 pounds with brown eyes, short black hair and a mustache. He was last seen wearing a red and black plaid shirt, dark sweatpants, a gray headed sweatshirt and a dark knit cap.
He has gone missing in the past, but always returned, according to police. Jerry is known to frequent the 1700 Spruce St. and 1700 Washington Ave. area.
Anyone with information on Jerry’s whereabouts is asked to call the South Detective Division at 215-686-3013.
Police are searching for a teenager who was caught on video knocking a man unconscious at a SEPTA station following an argument on a train.
The ordeal began Monday afternoon as a train moved towards the 15th Street SEPTA station in Center City. Surveillance video shows a 60-year-old man and a teenager arguing for 20 minutes, police said.
“We have a grown adult engaging in an argument with kids who were not a problem before he got on the train,” said SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel. “So there are a lot of questions that have to be answered here.”
The video also shows several teen girls trying to calm the man and teen down as the argument continues. One girl is spotted in the video recording the confrontation on her cellphone.
The train arrived at the 15th Street Station around 3:15 p.m. Surveillance video then shows the teen punching the man in the face on the platform, knocking him out cold. The teen and witnesses then leave the scene.
The man was taken to the hospital and treated for concussion-like symptoms. He remains hospitalized and police have not yet spoken to him.
Police say they are trying to track down the girls spotted on the train to ask them about what led to the assault.
“The puncher has some serious questions to answer,” Nestel said. “The other kids have no jeopardy of being arrested. They saw something that occurred and they can probably provide very good information and they can certainly provide very good video and audio of what occurred on the train.”
Police are also checking local high schools and social media and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Philadelphia's top prosecutor knows some 'Dirty Dancing,' but he wants add some new moves to his repertoire.
Williams showed off the mambo at a charity event last week and says he is an avid salsa dancer. Now, he wants to learn merengue and tango.
The district attorney participated in the Dancing for Our Future Stars dance competition on March 21 to raise funds for the Independent Mission Schools run by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The attorney's routine, alongside dance teacher Katie Miccarelli, was inspired in the iconic characters of Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in the film 'Dirty Dancing.'
"I thought people would identify with the film and thus enjoy our dance. It was fun," Williams, 48, said while adding that he spent two months preparing to dance the mambo.
"I danced since I was a kid watching my parents,” he said.
The prosecutor noted that he would like dancing to be part of his daily life, but the closest he has been to that was when he was studying law.
"When I was in law school I went to a nearby place to dance salsa because I thought it’s great," Williams remembered.
The DA took part of the charity event in an effort to keep children and teens in Philadelphia off the streets and in school. In total, $275,000 was collected.
