Armed Carjacking in Bethel Township Leads to Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

A man was carjacked at gunpoint in Berks County on Thursday.

According to Bethel Township Police, on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at approximately 6:53pm the victim, a 20 year old male from Bethel Township called 911 reporting he had just been carjacked at gunpoint on Lancaster Avenue in the area of Martha Drive. 

The victim stated he met up with a male after meeting through Facebook Marketplace. The two agreed to meet at a gas station in Bethel Township with an agreement to exchange vehicles with cash also to be paid by the suspect. While on a test drive in the victim’s car, the suspect pulled out a handgun and forced the victim out of his own car. The suspect then fled with the victim’s car.

A responding officer from Bethel Township Police Department located the vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 78. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens in order to attempt a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle fled eastbound at speeds in excess of 100MPH. A pursuit was initiated. With the assistance of Troopers from Pennsylvania State Police Hamburg Barracks the pursuit was ended in the area of Hamburg Borough using spike strips.

The suspect was taken into custody at that time. 

A gun was located inside the vehicle and the suspect was identified Jarrion Mercer Wiggins, a 20 year old male from New York, New York. He was transported to Berks County Central Processing by Bethel Township Police. 

Mercer Wiggins has been charged by Bethel Township Police with robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery, theft of movable property, fleeing and eluding, simple assault, possessing instruments of a crime, and reckless driving. The investigation is ongoing.

Bethel Township said they appreciate the assistance from Tulpehocken Township Police, Tilden Township Police, Hamburg Borough Police and PSP Hamburg Barracks.