Hanover Township police are searching for a man wanted on burglary, criminal trespass and theft-related charges in West Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and they're telling residents to stay away from him if he turns up. A warrant for 33-year-old Jason John Berti was issued on October 27, and investigators have asked the public for help tracking him down.
The Hanover Township Police Department said it is “requesting assistance in locating the current whereabouts of Jason John Berti,” according to a notice posted on crimewatch.net. As reported by Newport Dispatch, Berti is wanted on felony burglary and criminal trespass charges along with a misdemeanor theft charge. The Crimewatch listing describes the theft allegation differently, characterizing it as an attempted theft charge rather than a completed one — a discrepancy that remains unresolved between the two accounts.
Police describe Berti as a white male standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, the Newport Dispatch reports. Investigators have not released additional details about the specific incident that led to the warrant.
Police Say Stay Back and Call 911
Officers are urging anyone who spots Berti to keep their distance. The warning posted to the Crimewatch listing instructs residents to “please do not approach and contact 911 immediately” if they see him.
Anyone with information about where Berti might be is asked to reach out to the Hanover Township Police Department's Detective Division at (570) 825-1250, or to submit an anonymous tip through the department's listing. As with any outstanding warrant, Berti is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, per the Crimewatch posting.
A Similar Case Playing Out Elsewhere in Luzerne County
Berti's case comes amid other burglary allegations reported in the same county this year. In April, Pennsylvania State Police said a 36-year-old man from Newark, New Jersey, allegedly forced his way through a window into a Hazle Township home, struck one of the occupants in the face and stole several items, according to fox56.com.
Troopers responded to that residence along Route 940 in Hazle Township at approximately 1:39 a.m. on April 19, the station reported. The stolen property in that case reportedly included two iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphones valued at roughly $1,500 each and a gold necklace with a Jesus pendant valued at about $666. Charges in that incident were filed through Magisterial District Judge Joseph Zola's office.
No connection between the two cases has been reported. For now, Hanover Township investigators say their focus remains on locating Berti, and they're counting on tips from the public to help move the case forward.
