Montgomery County, PA

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph F. Lawrence and Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono announce the arrest and adjudication of a juvenile involved in an incident on the Schuylkill River Bike Trail and law enforcement is asking for the public’s assistance with an ongoing investigation into potential bike thefts.
 
The arrest stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Plymouth Township Police Department.  On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at approximately 8:40 p.m. police responded to the Plymouth Township section of the Schuylkill River Trail for a report of shots being fired.  The investigation revealed that 27 year-old Joseph James DePaul, Jr. attempted to enter the Schuylkill River Trail in the Conshohocken area, at which point two white male juveniles on bicycles blocked his entry onto the bike path.  DePaul was able to get around the juveniles and enter the path, and both juveniles followed him.  They caught up to DePaul and passed him and then the juveniles collided.  As DePaul rode past the juveniles they exchanged words with DePaul who then rode away.

 

One of the juveniles got back on his bike and chased DePaul and caught up to him.  He kicked DePaul causing him to almost lose control and hit the fence.  At that point, DePaul stopped and drew his Keltec, .380 caliber handgun and fired six rounds at the juvenile who had kicked him.  At the time the shots were fired the juvenile was riding 200-250 feet ahead of DePaul.  None of the rounds struck the juvenile. 

 

On July 24, 2009, police responded to the juvenile’s father’s residence in Norristown.  Pursuant to a consent search, police recovered a number of bicycles and bicycle parts (most were Mongoose bikes).  The investigation is continuing and police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the bikes.

  
On July 27, 2009, the juvenile appeared in Juvenile Court and was adjudicated delinquent on the charge of Simple Assault, a misdemeanor of the second degree and was detained pending a disposition hearing.

Plymouth Township Police arrested DePaul on July 22, 2009 for his role in the altercation.  The District Attorney’s Office is evaluating the case against DePaul to determine an appropriate resolution.

 

     Approved for release:

 

     Risa Vetri Ferman