HOMICIDE ARREST - ONTELAUNEE TWP.
News Date: Friday, August 4, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMICIDE ARREST
PERSON (S) INVOLVED:
Ignacio De La Cruz PERALTA-AGRAMONTE (age 49)
531 Pike Street
Reading, Pa 19601
Ignacio Peralta-Agramonte
CHARGES:
1. 2502(a) Murder of the first degree
3. 2502(c) Murder of the third degree
4. 2702(a)(1) Aggravated Assault
5. 907(b) Possession of weapon
6. 2705 Reckless endangering another person
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
On August 4, 2023, Officers from the Northern Berks Regional Police Department were detailed to the area of PA 61 and Snyder Road, Ontelaunee Township, Berks County, for a report of two individuals involved in a physical altercation.
Multiple calls were being received by the Berks County Department of Emergency Services – 911 Center. One caller reported witnessing a male shoot a female in the head. It was reported the male then fled the scene in a black sports utility vehicle.
Northern Berks Regional Police Department arrived on the scene and observed an unresponsive female lying in the middle of the westbound lane on Snyder Road with an apparent life- threatening wound(s). The victim was transported to Tower Health - Reading Hospital. The victim was later identified as Librad Reyes De Peralta.
At the scene, officers located a “work identification card” in the name of Ignacio Peralta Agramonte.
Officer(s) interviewed witnesses to this incident at the scene. Witnesses observed a male wearing a red and black baseball hat, red shirt, and black shorts, shoot the female the victim, who fell to the ground. The male shooter got into a vehicle and fled the scene.
A short time later, the Northern Berks Regional Police Department were advised that a male had called from 2018 Kutztown Road, Reading, and admitted to shooting his wife. This male stated the shooting occurred near Ashley Furniture along PA 61. (Note: the actual incident occurred at PA 61 and Snyder Road)
Subsequently, officers with the Northern Berks Regional Police Department and the Reading Police Department responded to 2018 Kutztown Road. There they encountered Ignacio De La Cruz Peralta Agramonte. He stated multiple times, “I did it, I’m sorry.”
Officers learned that Peralta Agramonte advised he had a firearm in his vehicle. This vehicle was identified as a black Toyota Venza bearing Pennsylvania registration. Later, this vehicle was found parked on Kutztown Road.
At the hospital, De Peralta (victim) was pronounced dead at 7:04 am by a critical care physician. Deputy Coroner Todd Kegerise, Berks County Coroner’s Office, preliminarily determined De Peralta’s cause of death to be “multiple gunshot wounds, and stab wounds”.
Peralta Agramonte was subsequently transported to the Berks County Detectives Office. Berks County Detectives had a general conversation with Peralta Agramonte, not directly related to the homicide. Peralta Agramonte uttered “I made a mistake; I took her life”.
Detectives with the Berks County Detectives Office interviewed Jose Peralta Agramonte, brother of Ignacio. Jose stated that Ignacio called him this date at 6:52 am and told him that he had killed his wife (De Peralta). Igancio arrived at Jose’s residence at 2018 Kutztown Road a short time later and was subsequently taken into custody.
On Friday, August 4, 2023, detectives with the Berks County Detectives Office obtained a warrant of arrest for Ignacia De La Cruz Peralta Agramonte. The warrant was issued by District Judge Brian Strand.
Ignacia De La Cruz Peralta Agramonte was taken to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Central Processing Center for processing and preliminary arraignment. Bail was denied.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendant, Ignacio De La Cruz Peralta Agramonte is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.