Winter Storm Triggers Retail Thefts and Traffic Incidents in Wyomissing

A significant winter storm on January 17, 2026, led to a busy day for the Wyomissing Police Department in Pennsylvania, as officers dealt with multiple incidents ranging from retail thefts to traffic accidents. The police report indicates that 23 incidents were logged throughout the day, beginning with an automatic fire alarm shortly after 01:30 on Park Road North. Upon investigation, officers found that the alarm had been inadvertently dislodged by a resident. The fire department addressed the situation without any further complications.

As snowfall intensified, police responded to several minor motor vehicle crashes on Old Mill Road, Reading Boulevard, and Route 222. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, but heavy snow made it challenging to establish fault in at least one of the incidents. Officers also assisted a driver whose vehicle had become disabled and had ended up in a ditch along Route 222.

Incidents of Retail Theft and Traffic Violations

During the afternoon and evening, officers were dispatched multiple times to businesses along State Hill Road due to reports of retail theft. In one incident shortly after noon, police determined that the reported theft amounted to a civil matter. Later, they documented another theft where the suspects had already departed the scene. In a separate case, merchandise valued at approximately $80 was reported stolen and is currently under investigation.

Additional calls included a canceled burglar alarm on Gail Circle, a report of a loose dog near Reading Boulevard and Wyomissing Boulevard, and notifications from towing companies regarding vehicles removed due to snow conditions. Traffic enforcement continued into the evening, with officers issuing warnings for several violations, including improper lane use and expired registration. One traffic stop on Park Road North led to citations after the driver was found to have no valid license.

DUI Investigation and Community Welfare Checks

Late in the evening, Wyomissing police assisted West Reading officers with a traffic stop on Penn Avenue. Just after 23:00, the officers initiated a stop on Wyomissing Boulevard, which escalated into a DUI investigation. The driver was taken for a legal breath test, while a juvenile passenger was released to a parent, and the vehicle was towed. The DUI investigation is ongoing.

The day concluded with several quality-of-life calls, including a noise complaint regarding loud music on Woodside Avenue, which was resolved without enforcement action. Additionally, police performed a welfare check on a seven-year-old child who had briefly wandered outside on Woodland Road; the child was found unharmed and safely returned to their mother.

All criminal activities mentioned in the police log are allegations and are subject to further investigation. Any individuals identified as suspects, arrestees, or defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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