Berks County District Attorney John Adams announced the arrest of 39-year-old Oliver Johan Paniagua-Pena in connection with the May 9, 2026, fatal stabbing of 56-year-old Leonardo Mercado-Gomez along River Road in Reading.
During a press conference on October 23, Adams discussed how Reading Police investigators used surveillance footage and DNA evidence recovered from a bicycle found near the crime scene to identify a suspect.
According to court documents, the two men worked together at Sun Rich Foods in Reading. Investigators have not identified a motive or any previous disagreements between them.
Paniagua-Pena faces charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and possessing instruments of crime.
The investigation remains ongoing, including additional DNA testing.
During a press conference on October 23, Adams discussed how Reading Police investigators used surveillance footage and DNA evidence recovered from a bicycle found near the crime scene to identify a suspect.
According to court documents, the two men worked together at Sun Rich Foods in Reading. Investigators have not identified a motive or any previous disagreements between them.
Paniagua-Pena faces charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and possessing instruments of crime.
The investigation remains ongoing, including additional DNA testing.