LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT - A. ANDRE

DEFENDANT:      Aaron J. Andre (49 years of age)
                             Reading, PA

CHARGES:      Simple Assault
                        Official Oppression


DETAILS OF INCIDENT:

On June 26, 2025, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office was contacted by the Reading Police Department regarding an incident of excessive force involving one of their officers. They requested that an investigation be conducted by the Berks County Detectives.

On June 25, 2025, the defendant was employed as an officer and assigned to operate their prisoner transport van. At approximately 8:54 PM, the defendant was dispatched to the 500 block of McClellan Street for a domestic assault incident involving a combative 16-year-old male. The juvenile was transported to the Tower Health Reading Hospital for an evaluation after he had assaulted his sibling earlier in the evening and fought with responding officers.

At approximately 9:02 PM, after arriving at the hospital, the defendant entered the transport van and attempted to remove the 16-year-old male from the vehicle. The juvenile displayed aggressive behavior towards the defendant and subsequently, the officer began to punch and strike the juvenile several times and forcibly pushed the juvenile’s head against the inside wall of the transport van. During the assault, the 16-year-old was handcuffed behind his back and seat belted inside the van.

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the defendant was charged with Simple Assault and Official Oppression. Since both charges are misdemeanor offenses, a summons to appear at Magisterial District Court #23-2-02 was sent to the defendant.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.