Reading Police are asking the public for help in identifying people involved in the pagoda incident

The Reading City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying several individuals who were present at the Pagoda during a significant disturbance on Saturday evening, June 8.

According to police, the incident began around 8:05 p.m. when officers responded to reports of a large group of motorcyclists, ATVs and dirt bike riders causing a disturbance at the pagoda as part of an illegal dirt bike operation. The crowd was estimated to be over 200 people.

A Reading police officer, who was the first to arrive on the scene, attempted to arrest a suspect for a crime (which police did not specify), which resulted in immediate resistance. The tension escalated further when other people in the crowd intervened, with at least one other person attacking the officer. Although the officer suffered numerous bruises and a bloody nose, he managed to call for backup. Eleven more officers soon arrived to help disperse the crowd.

The suspect, identified as Lewis Mellow Castillo of the 900 block of Reading, was arrested and faces multiple charges. Police are now focused on identifying others involved.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Reading Police Department at 610-655-6116 or Berks Crime Alert at 1-877-373-9913. Information can be provided anonymously.