Chesco Man Stabs, Kills Resident While Trying To Steal Car: DA

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County man stabbed a local resident to death while trying to steal a car before stealing several more vehicles over the ensuing hours, authorities said.

Javier Rivera, 33, of Kennett Square, has been charged with first degree murder.

The incident occurred on Aug. 10 at a home in Kennett Township.

Rivera attempted to steal a BMW from a driveway, but was confronted by a resident of the home, a 69-year-old man.

Rivera and the man began to argue, and the man chased Rivera up the driveway. Eventually, Rivera turned and stabbed the man in the torso and neck multiple times, killing him, police said.

Rivera then fled the scene and, over the chaotic ensuing hours, stole a series of cars to evade capture by police, the district attorney's office said.

He crashed one of his stolen cars into a gray Honda Accord, and when the driver of that car got out to exchange information, Rivera hopped into it and sped off, the DA said.

Later, he drove to West Chester and stopped at a home on New Street, where he broke inside and was confronted by residents, police said.

Finally, in the early morning hours of Aug. 11, he drove a stolen Honda CRV all the way back to his home in Kennett Square, where police found him what they believe to be dried blood on his shoes and shirt, according to the DA.

Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said the "quiet community was shattered by senseless violence."

“This was a brutal attack that shocks the conscience," Kennett Township Police Chief Matthew Gordon added. "There was no reason for anyone to be stabbed last night.”

Rivera was booked at Chester County Prison without bail.

If you have any information on this case, contact Chester County Detectives at (610) 344-6866.