Oxford man charged with fifth DUI

An Oxford man was arrested for his fifth DUI after police officers spotted him driving erratically at 3 a.m. in West Chester.

On March 5, 2023, West Chester police officers responded to the 50 block of East Gay Street at 3 a.m. for a report of an erratic driver who had parked in front of the Wells Fargo Parking Lot. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with Webster Prigg, 29, of Oxford, who was driving the vehicle. Following an investigation, Prigg was taken into custody for DUI, his fifth.

Police reports from across the region:

West Chester Fleeing and eluding police

On Feb. 27 at approximately 4: a.m. an officer observed two vehicles racing in the 400 block of East Market Street. As the officer activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, one of the vehicles fled at a high rate of speed. Shortly thereafter, the officer terminated pursuit of the fleeing vehicle. Through an investigation the operator was identified as Nicholas O’Rourke, a 22, of Glenmoore. O’Rourke later turned himself in and was processed at the West Chester Police Department on charges of felony Fleeing and Eluding, Recklessly Endangering another person, and numerous traffic offenses. O’Rourke was transported to Chester County Prison for arraignment. A preliminary hearing is pending at District Court.

Resisting arrest

On March 5, 2023 at approximately 3 a.m., West Chester Police responded to the intersection of Bradford Ave and West Strasburg Road for the report of a fight. Upon arrival, it was determined that a subject was knocked unconscious and lying in the roadway. Multiple people on location pointed out another subject as the aggressor. That person was identified as Thomas Rochester, 25, of Lincoln University. Rochester did not comply with verbal commands as officers attempted to place Rochester under arrest. Substantial force had to be used to place Rochester under arrest. Rochester was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, harassment, and public drunkenness. Rochester was processed on the charges and released on summons. A preliminary hearing is pending.

Disorderly conduct

On March 5, 2023, at 4 a.m., officers were dispatched to 608 S Walnut Street for disruptive behavior. The residents refused to cooperate, and several times hid inside the residence. At 4:40 a.m., officers were dispatched again to 608 South Walnut Street for a report of disruptive behavior and discharging fire extinguishers in the block and on vehicles and in the residence. As a result of the investigation, Thomas Mann, 22 of Havertown was taken into custody for misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Mann was processed and released on summons. A preliminary hearing is pending.

Strangulation

On March 4, 2023 at 2:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of East Washington Street for a report of an assault. Officers arrived on scene and obtained a description of the suspect, who had fled the residence. Through an investigation, she was identified as Madison Austin, 24, of West Chester. Austin was later apprehended in the 600 block of South Walnut, where she was taken into custody and charged with simple assault and strangulation.

Fleeing and eluding

On Feb. 19 at approximately midnight, a marked West Chester Police vehicle attempted to initiate a traffic stop for a traffic offense. The vehicle failed to stop for the activated lights and emergency siren of the police vehicle. It eventually came to a stop in the 200 block of East Washington Street. The operator of the vehicle, a 15-yearold boy of Caln Township was arrested. He will be referred to the county juvenile court system to answer for charges related to Driving Under the Influence, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing and Eluding and various summary offenses to include Underage Consumption and Driving Without a Driver’s License. The juvenile was turned over to his parents.

Kennett Square Criminal mischief

David Aceto, 31, of Kennett Square, was charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief, following a report of a burglary. The reporting party advised Chester County Police Radio that an unknown individual, later identified as David Aceto, entered their apartment, was walking around inside and allegedly caused minor damage. The incident occurred on February 24, 2023, at approximately 10:35 p.m., in the 700 block of Lafayette Street, Kennett Square Borough. Charges were filed at District Court.

Firearms charges

The Kennett Square Police Department was advised Philadelphia’s Police Department, 18th District had Mordecai, Byron D in custody for a warrant. Kennett Square officers transported Mordecai to Chester County Prison to be processed and arraigned. An arrest warrant had been issued for Mordecai, on February 13, 2023, for the following incident: On June 30, 2022, Kennett Square Police were contacted by the Pennsylvania State Police Investigation Unit regarding an individual, later identified as Byron Mordecai, from Spring City, who had attempted to acquire firearms through a licensed firearms dealer, located in Kennett Square Borough. The dealer conducted a background check through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) and the information obtained through the background check indicated Byron Mordecai is prohibited from acquiring a firearm. Charges of sale or transfer of firearms and unsworn falsifications to authorities were filed at District Court.