Accused Pottstown Killer Apprehended by County Detectives

Members of the Montgomery County Detectives have apprehended 19-year-old Maurice Andrews Jr., of Pottstown, who is accused of fatally shooting a man outside of a Pottstown bar last month.

Assistant District Attorney Nathan Schadler confirmed the arrest in a report by the Pottstown Mercury, but stated that he could not comment on the circumstances of the arrest due to the sensitive nature of the case. Schadler also praised the law enforcement community for their non-stop efforts during the month-long manhunt.

Andrews, along with his cousin, 26-year-old Michael Hinton, of Norristown, have been charged with first, second, and third degree murder and related offense in connection with the March 22 shooting death of Victor Bonilla Baez outside of Brian's Cafe.

Both men are being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, as they await their preliminary hearing on May 17 at 10 a.m. in front of District Court Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr.

Police initially responded to a report of a shooting outside of Brian's Cafe at 2:17 a.m. on March 22, where they discovered Bonilla-Baez lying on the street with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. He was transported to Pottstown Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

His manner of death was ruled homicide.

A joint investigation by the Pottstown Police Department and Montgomery County Detectives uncovered a .357 caliber handgun at the scene of the shooting, as well as a blood trail leading away from the scene. Investigators followed the trail to a vacant home on the 300 block of Walnut Street, where they found a blood-soaked mattress and clothing in the basement, the report states.

Shortly before 8 a.m., a second shooting victim – later identified as Michael Hinton – was seen walking with a limp on the 500 block of Lesher Alley. Detectives arrived on scene to speak with Hinton, who gave a fake name, and he was then taken to the hospital for treatment, according to the report.

While speaking with police as the hospital, Hinton allegedly lied about the incident, but when confronted by investigators about the inconsistancies in his story, he began to provide accurate details about the incident, the report states,

Click here to read the details of the shooting

After Hinton allegedly identified Andrews as the one who orchestrated the plot to kill Baez, authorities requested public assistance in locating Andrews, who avoided capture for a little over one month.

Hinton was arraigned on April 10 in front of Judge Kropp.

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See also:

• Two Men Charged In Fatal Shooting at Brian's Cafe
• Man Killed Outside Pottstown Bar Identified
• One Dead in Shooting Outside Brian's Cafe