Reading murder suspect in Berks jail following extradition from New York

Steven Henshaw, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

May 13—A city man charged in the midday gunshot slaying of an acquaintance last summer in downtown Reading is in Berks County Prison following his extradition from New York.

Vincent J. Sanchez, 33, was jailed without bail to await a hearing on first- and third-degree murder charges following arraignment Thursday night before District Judge David. L. Yoch in Reading Central Court.

Reading police obtained an arrest warrant for Sanchez on July 21, the day they said he shot Ellis C. Garman Sr., 44, of Reading at close range after Garman got into his car and began to drive away following a fight with Sanchez at Sixth and Cherry streets.

Sanchez was apprehended in New York City this month and returned to Reading by Berks County deputy sheriffs.

Sanchez's address listed in the criminal complaint was in the 100 block of South Sixth Street.

The probable cause affidavit provided these details:

A witness who was a passenger in the car registered to Garman told police that Garman was driving north in the 100 block of South Sixth Street when he saw Sanchez on the west sidewalk.

Sanchez was known to Garman and his passenger as a result of family-related issues, the witness explained.

Sanchez signaled that he wanted Garman and his front-seat passenger to get out of the car and fight him. Garman parked on the west side of the street, and Sanchez walked up to the driver's side door and took a handgun from the fanny pack strapped across his chest.

Following a verbal exchange, Sanchez struck Garman in the face with the gun.

Garman and his passenger got out of the car and fought with Sanchez, who still had his gun. Another person approached and tried to take the gun from Sanchez but was only able to release the ammunition magazine. That person took the magazine.

Footage from a city pole-mounted camera shows the trio continues fighting for about two minutes before Garman and his passenger get back in the car.

Footage shows Garman beginning to drive away when Sanchez walks up to the drivers' side, extends his arm into the driver's side and, according to the witness, fires a single shot. The car lurches forward a short distance, stopping in the middle of the street.

Garman opens the door and gets out, falling to his knees, then his back. Sanchez fled.