Homicide investigation and arrest
A local man has been arrested for the fatal shooting of Jose Miguel Tenorio-Ruiz, 40, on July 6, at building 7 in Bucks Meadows Apartments, 3131 Knights Road, Bensalem.
Bensalem Police were called to the complex at 5:48 p.m., responding to a 9-1-1 call for a shooting. As police arrived, Tenorio-Ruiz was lying near the rear parking lot with an apparent gunshot wound to the torso. Officers immediately began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. He was transported to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital by Bensalem EMS and was pronounced dead a short time later. The person who shot the victim had fled the scene before police arrived.
Police questioned numerous witnesses at the scene and determined that the suspect’s name was Abel Mendoza-Ramirez, 31, who lives at Bucks Meadows Apartments.
Officers learned the suspect and victim had a minor physical altercation just before the shooting. Following the altercation, it was reported that Mendoza-Ramirez went to his vehicle, returned with a semi-automatic handgun in his waistband and approached the victim. The two exchanged words again. Mendoza-Ramirez pulled the gun from his waistband and fired the gun, striking Tenorio-Ruiz in the torso.
The shooter entered his Ford Van and fled from the scene. The description of the suspect and his vehicle was then broadcast to surrounding police departments, and the vehicle registration was entered into the National Crime Information Center as a felony vehicle with the driver possibly armed and dangerous. At approximately 6:40 p.m., a Newtown Township Police officer spotted the Ford Van with the matching registration and conducted a traffic stop at 600 Newtown-Yardley Road in front of the Newtown Cemetery.
Mendoza-Ramirez was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with Criminal Homicide, Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Third Degree and possession of an Instrument of Crime. He was arraigned by District Justice Joseph Falcone and sent to the Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail.
Arrest warrant for vehicle theft
On April 7, Lower Southampton Police responded to the 1800 block of Bridgetown Pike for the report of a theft from a vehicle. Responding officers took the report for the theft, and they also discovered that the suspect arrived in a vehicle that was stolen from New Jersey. Through investigation, Diante Mason, 23, of Trenton, New Jersey, was identified as the suspect involved. An arrest warrant was obtained for Mason on June 13.
Contact Lower Southampton Police or submit a tip online at bucks.crimewatchpa.com/lowersouthamptontwppd/ if you know his location.
Arrest for sex offenses of a child
Lower Southampton Police were notified of a person who was seen in the area and is wanted by U.S. Marshals on the original charges of sex offenses against a child. It was learned that Vincent Steven Ritchie, 30, no fixed address, absconded PA State Parole in 2023. On June 28, Ritchie was taken into custody by Officer Engle, of the Lower Southampton Police, after he located him in the area of the 100 block of E. Street Road. Ritchie was transported to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
National Night Out
National Night Out, an annual campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, takes place in Bensalem on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Township Pavilion, 2400 Byberry Road.
The Philadelphia Flyers Community Caravan will be on hand. Attendees can check out the “Behind Closed Doors” educational trailer, Bensalem Police K9 demonstrations and vehicle displays, including a police crime scene truck, command post, motorcycles, patrol cars, SWAT and police drone. The Philadelphia Police helicopter will fly overhead. Light refreshments will be served by the Copsicle Ice Cream Bus.
Bell’s Market retail theft
On June 12, a man entered the Bell’s Market, located at 1055 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville, and loaded a shopping cart with assorted meats and consumable food products. He then transferred the items to two reusable carry bags and passed all points of sale, leaving the store without paying. He was observed entering a silver 2003-2005 Toyota Prius with a bike rack on the back, which is blocking the registration plate. It is believed this vehicle is a ride sharing driver who picked up the involved male.
Contact Detective Stephen Brookes #57 at 215-357-1235, Ext. 339, email Sbrookes@lstwp.org or submit an online tip if you have any information.
Acme, Five Below retail theft
On July 5, Lower Southampton Police responded to the Acme located along E. Street Road in Feasterville for the report of a retail theft in progress. Officers arrived and observed a male and female loading a vehicle with merchandise. It was reported that the two suspects had loaded a shopping cart with consumable items and passed all points of sale, fleeing the store without paying.
The female was identified as Nicole Welsh, 46, of Levittown, and the male was identified as Oliver Lee, 45, of Philadelphia. Both were arrested and charged with Retail Theft, Receiving Stolen Property and Criminal Conspiracy. Further investigation revealed the same two individuals were identified as being in the Five Below prior to entering the Acme, and leaving that establishment with merchandise that they did not pay for. A second charge of Retail Theft was added to them both.
