Montgomery County Man Charged with Plotting to Kill Ex-Girlfriend and Two Others in New York
Authorities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, have arrested and charged a 41-year-old man with attempted murder and solicitation after he allegedly tried to hire an acquaintance to kill his former girlfriend and two other men.
Deep Search: The Alleged Plot
Eric Berkowitz, a resident of the Dresher section of Upper Dublin Township, was taken into custody on Wednesday following a swift investigation sparked by a tip from the man he allegedly solicited. According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Berkowitz approached a fellow township resident, Steven Luker, on Tuesday with a proposition to murder three specific targets: his ex-girlfriend and two men she had dated since their seven-year relationship ended.
Prosecutors allege that Berkowitz offered Luker $5,000 to carry out the killings. To facilitate the crime, Berkowitz reportedly provided Luker with a Mac 11 firearm and a “burner” cell phone to avoid detection. The plan, as detailed in charging documents, involved the two men traveling to Endicott, New York, where the victims resided, to execute the plot.
Law enforcement officials moved quickly after Luker reported the solicitation to the Upper Dublin Township Police. Detectives worked with Luker to record a conversation with the suspect, during which Berkowitz allegedly confirmed the plan and stated he would “take care of the girl himself.”
Berkowitz was arrested shortly after this corroboration. Police observed him leaving his home and entering an Uber. Upon stopping the vehicle, officers found Berkowitz in possession of a duffel bag containing a black Masterpiece Arms Grim Reaper firearm with a loaded magazine, a large sum of cash, and cocaine. The Uber driver confirmed to police that the requested destination was Endicott, New York—the home address of the intended victims.
Background Information
The intervention of the witness, Steven Luker, has been highlighted as a critical factor in preventing the violence. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele commended Luker for his immediate action, noting that his decision to contact authorities likely saved three innocent lives.
Berkowitz now faces serious felony charges, including three counts of criminal solicitation to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder, and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. He is also charged with person not to possess a firearm. Following his arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Christopher J. Cierski, Berkowitz was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail.
Objections and Legal Context
While the evidence presented by the District Attorney’s Office details a specific and armed plot, it is important to note that these charges remain allegations. Eric Berkowitz is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As of the time of this report, no public statement has been released by legal counsel representing Berkowitz regarding the charges or the circumstances of his arrest. The reliability of the recorded conversations and the intent behind the items found in his possession will likely be central to the upcoming legal proceedings.
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