Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Second Alleged Killer Named in Polen Death

Authorities say 18-year-old Andrew Tomlinson was the accomplice of Rontrey Wilkins, previously charged.

Authorities have arrested a second suspect in the Feb. 11 shooting death of 25-year-old Andrew Polen of West Norriton.

Andrew Tomlinson, 18, is accused of being the accomplice of .

According to authorities, Wilkins, Tomlinson and a third unidentified male allegedly conspired to rob Polen and a friend during an attempt to settle a drug debt. Polen was shot during the failed robbery attempt and later pronounced dead at Mercy Suburban Hospital.

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An investigation of the shooting led authorities to Wilkins, who reportedly admitted his role in Polen's death when authorities interviewed him the next day. Wilkins is being charged with first-, second- and third-degree murder, robbery and related offenses.

The investigation into Wilkins' alleged involvement in the crime led authorities to Tomlinson, who also reportedly admitted his involvement. Tomlinson reportedly told authorities that he participated in the robbery, but did not fire the gun he used in the commissione of the crime.

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Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman noted that while Tomlinson may not have intended to take a life, his involvement in the incident makes him responsible for Polen's death.

"Mr. Tomlinson was not out on the street to commit a murder," said Vetri Ferman. "He was helping a friend of his commit a robbery and certainly much less culpable in the general sense; but because he helped his friend commit a robbery and someone was killed during the course of the robbery, he now is facing murder charges."

Tomlinson has been charged with second- and third-degree murder, robbery and related offenses. He was arraigned Wednesday morning and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for noon on March 11 in district court.

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