Hit-and-run driver fires on pursuing motorist in Reading, police say
Jun. 5—A 21-year-old Reading man was arrested for firing a gun while being followed by another driver after a hit — and-run accident in the city, investigators said.
Luis J. Luna-Melendez was taken into custody after police found the hit-and-run vehicle parked at a hydrant in the 900 block of Washington Street, where the car's owner resides.
Luna-Melendez was committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail to await a hearing following arraignment Saturday night before District Judge Sandra L. Fegley in Reading Central Court. He had not posted bail as of Monday, according to online court records.
He faces charges of aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm without license, cocaine possession, driving without a license or without insurance, hit-and-run and related traffic offenses.
According to police:
The victim was driving east in the 900 block of Green Street near Moss Street when an Acura TL driven by Luna-Melendez ran a stop sign on Moss and struck his car on the passenger side. The striking vehicle did not stop, so the victim continued into the 500 block of Moss.
The victim followed the car to Moss and Greenwich streets. The car turned right onto Greenwich, and the victim followed while using his phone to take pictures of the fleeing car's license plate.
The victim followed the car into the 1200 block of Greenwich where the car stopped and Luna-Melendez yelled something out the window at him while he was behind the striking vehicle. Luna-Melendez pointed a handgun toward him and fired a single shot.
No one was injured.
Luna-Melendez turned onto Birch Street. The victim stopped nearby and called police, providing the license plate number and vehicle description.
Police tracked the owner of the car to a woman whose registration indicated she lived on Pearl Street. They went there but were told she had moved to the 900 block of Washington Street.
When officers arrived at the Washington Street address they saw the car matching the description provided by the victim parked at a hydrant. An officer turned on his emergency lights and siren.
Luna-Melendez got out of the driver's side and a woman, who is the vehicle's owner, got out of the driver's side along with some small children.
Officers saw a sandwich bag hanging out of Luna-Melendez's pants pocket. It was found to contain cocaine.
The woman allowed police to search the vehicle, and they seized a loaded 9 mm handgun they found under the driver's seat.
