The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Norristown man taken into custody for shooting incident
NORRISTOWN » A Norristown man wanted by authorities for allegedly shooting at three other men who are accused of participating in the gunshot slaying of a man in Pottstown during a botched marijuana robbery has been apprehended by detectives.
Eric Baker, 26, of the 300 block of West Poplar Street, Norristown, was apprehended on Nov. 3 by Montgomery County detectives in a residence in Norristown without incident. Authorities alleged Baker was in possession of a .22-caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number at the time of his arrest.
Baker’s apprehension came after he was observed earlier in the day operating a Toyota vehicle in Pottstown. Police were unable to stop the vehicle, which was then observed fleeing eastbound on Route 422, according to authorities.
Baker was arraigned before District Court Judge Edward Levine, who set bail at $1 million cash, on charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, person not to possess a firearm and possessing an instrument of crime in connection with the Oct. 23 incident in Pottstown.
Baker was unable to post bail and he was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility to await a preliminary hearing on the charges on Nov. 10 before District Court Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr.
Baker’s apprehension was announced on Thursday by Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Pottstown Police Chief Michael Markovich.
A warrant for Baker’s arrest was issued on Oct. 23 in connection with allegations he fired an assault-style weapon at Samir Bentley, 20, Daijon Naseer Harrison, 22, and Ahmed Mohammed, 16, all of Philadelphia, as they fled in a vehicle from the fatal shooting of Robert Stiles, 27, in the 400 block of East High Street.
Bentley, Harrison and Mohammed each face charges of first-, second-, and third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and firearms-related charges in connection with Stiles’ death.
Harrison surrendered to authorities earlier this