Suspect killed by bulldozer at marijuana grow operation, Pennsylvania police say

On Monday, state police issued the following statement:

"07/09/18

Accidental Death

2018-777654

State Game Lands

Area of Snyder School Rd and S. Garfield Rd., Penn Twp., Berks County

A PA Game Commission employee was operating a bulldozer at the above location around 10:00 AM. He saw a car parked well off the road in a field. Bernville Boro police were first to respond to this location. Shortly after arriving on location two males came out of the very thick underbrush. Both fled on foot. One of the males was taken into custody by the Bernville Chief. The second male eluded capture at that time. PSP and PA Game Commission resources were sent to this area around 11:00 AM. This included PSP aviation, patrol members, and vice unit members. The second male was briefly located by the PSP helicopter in thick underbrush. An attempt to hail the other male was unsuccessful. The helicopter lost site of the male and was giving directions to the bulldozer of his last location. The Game Commission employee and a Trooper were on the bulldozer driving through the thick underbrush. The bulldozer stopped in the underbrush. The second male was located under the rear of the bulldozer deceased.

The male taken into custody will be charged with various drug offenses and trespassing.

The second male (deceased) has not yet been identified.

Assisted by Mt Pleasant and Bernville Fire Companies, Western Berks EMS, Lower Heidelberg Twp and Bernville Boro PD."
 

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
They killed a guy over 10 plants.
no...they didn't "kill a guy over ten plants". the dumb ass committed suicide by bulldozer...it would have been county time at worst, probation probably....not attractive, but better than being squished, which wasn't their goal to begin with. they were trying to cover rough terrain quickly. you can't fault them for running over someone who was hiding from them, and was stupid enough to think he was in a good place.
 
Here is another update

http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-da-working-with-state-police-in-bulldozer-death-investigation

Berks DA working with state police in bulldozer death investigation
Officials said Gregory A. Longenecker, 51, of Reading was found beneath the machine.

WRITTEN BY HOLLY HERMAN
PENN TOWNSHIP, PA. —

Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said Tuesday that investigators are trying to determine the cause of death for a man who was found behind a bulldozer, and between its tracks, on state game lands in Penn Township.

The death occurred Monday during an incident involving two suspects, a state Game Commission worker, state and local police, and marijuana plants.

On Tuesday, state police identified the victim as Gregory A. Longenecker, 51, of Reading. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday in Reading Hospital. Further information was unavailable.

Adams said that the death appears to be an accident, but he is not yet ready to make a final determination.

“We are working with the state police to determine the cause of this tragedy,” Adams said. “We will conduct a thorough investigation. It's too early to determine the cause of this tragedy.”

According to authorities, the incident began Monday morning when an employee with the Pennsylvania Game Commission's southeast region was using a bulldozer to clear heavy brush on game lands.

The employee noticed two men and a suspicious car and notified Bernville police at 10 a.m. Police Chief Brian Thumm investigated and apprehended second suspect David Light at the scene, authorities said.

Longenecker, however, fled into the thick brush, and a state police helicopter and vice investigators took part in a search.

Troopers called to Longenecker over the helicopter's loudspeaker, but he did not respond. When they lost sight of him in the brush, troopers in the helicopter relayed his last-known location.

A trooper and the Game Commission employee used the bulldozer to travel through the thick brush in pursuit of Longenecker because the brush was too dense to walk through, according to authorities.

Between 1:30 and 2 p.m., the search was suspended.

As the trooper and driver got off the bulldozer, they spotted Longenecker's body behind the machine between the tracks it had made in the brush, authorities said.

State police said that 10 mature marijuana plants surrounded by two wire fences were discovered in the area along with water bottles, pruning shears and fertilizer.

In addition, troopers found a bucket containing leaves that were removed from the plants.

After being arrested, Light was taken to Reading Central Court, where he was arraigned before District Judge Kim L. Bagenstose on manufacturing marijuana and related charges.

He was freed on $25,000 bail to await further court action.
 
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