Reading police have charged six males — three of them juveniles — in the kidnapping of a 23‑year‑old man who was reported missing by family members in western Lebanon County in late March.
Police said they are continuing to investigate the disappearance of Michael Petrino Jr., whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Following a three‑month investigation, detectives this week obtained arrest warrants for those believed to have participated in his abduction, the abandonment of his rental vehicle and the disposal of his cellphone.
All six suspects are now in custody, police announced Thursday night.
Petrino was reported missing to Western Lebanon police on March 27 by his father, who said he last saw his son on March 21. Investigators in Lebanon County determined Petrino had been frequenting the Reading area before he vanished, and Reading police assumed the lead in the case.
A few days after his disappearance, Petrino’s rented Jeep Compass was found abandoned in the 1200 block of Muhlenberg Street. The vehicle was towed and processed for evidence.
According to investigators:
During the early morning hours of March 25, Petrino was lured to the area of North Second and Oley streets by three juvenile males — a 17‑year‑old identified in court records as “Witness 1,” a 16‑year‑old identified as “Witness 2,” and Amir Frazier, 16, of Muhlenberg Township — who were traveling in Petrino’s rented Jeep.
Information gathered from multiple sources indicated Petrino had ongoing conflicts with several individuals in Berks County and that a “bounty” had been placed on him.
Surveillance footage from the intersection shows Petrino’s Jeep entering an alley and parking. Witness 1 is seen exiting the Jeep while using a cellphone. A review of digital evidence revealed that the three teens were participating in a group chat with three adults: Gerson Caicedo, 21, of Leesport; Khalil Nein, 20, of Reading; and Jazmeire Brockington, 18, of Reading.
Additional footage shows a sedan entering the alley shortly afterward and parking bumper‑to‑bumper with the Jeep. Evidence indicates Petrino was assaulted, forcibly removed from the Jeep, placed into the sedan and driven away.
Investigators determined that Witnesses 1 and 2 and Frazier drove off in the Jeep to abandon it and destroy Petrino’s cellphone.
Detectives believe Petrino was transported to a secluded location by Caicedo, Nein and Brockington. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The sedan was registered to Caicedo.
Nein, Caicedo and Brockington were arraigned Thursday before District Judge Tonya A. Butler on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy.
Caicedo and Brockington were already being held in Berks County Jail on unrelated charges, and bail in the kidnapping case was set at $500,000 for each.
Nein was taken into custody Wednesday with assistance from the Berks County Emergency Response Team and jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail.
Frazier and the two other juveniles are charged as adults with kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy.
Frazier was arrested Tuesday by Berks County juvenile probation officers and Reading criminal investigators and is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. The other two juveniles were taken into custody during the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Petrino or information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact Reading police 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.