Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Dublin Township Police Chief Francis Wheatley announced on February 11th the arrest of 41-year-old Eric Berkowitz, 41 of Dresher (Upper Dublin Township) for Criminal Solicitation For Murder, Attempted Murder and related charges.

According to the announcement, Upper Dublin resident Steven Luker informed the Upper Dublin Township Police on February 10th that Berkowitz had offered him $5,000 to murder three people in New York. Berkowitz provided Luker the names of the target, a Mac 11 firearm and a “burner” cellphone to communicate. Berkowitz’s plan was for the pair to drive to New York on February 11th and meet at one target’s house. The intended targets were Berkowitz’s former girlfriend and two men she had dated since their seven-year relationship ended.

Upper Dublin Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives worked with Luker to record a conversation with Berkowitz, in which Berkowitz confirmed the details of the plan and offered that he would “take care of the girl himself.”

Berkowitz was later arrested by police exiting his home and entering an ride share vehicle. The vehicle was stopped by police, and Berkowitz was arrested. At the time of his arrest, police report that was carrying a duffel bag containing a black Masterpiece Arms Grim Reaper firearm with a loaded magazine containing 23 9mm rounds of ammunition, cocaine and a large sum of cash. Police confirmed with the ride share drive that the destination was a New York address where his former girlfriend lives.

“I’d like to commend Mr. Luker for immediately contacting police after he was approached by the defendant to participate in this murder scheme,” said District Attorney Steele. “He ultimately saved the lives of three innocent people.”

Berkowitz has been charged with three counts of Criminal Solicitation for Murder, three counts of Attempted Murder, three counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Person Not to Possess a Firearm. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christopher J. Cierski, who declined to set bail, and Berkowitz was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 20th at 10:00 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Doug Lavenberg.

Photo: Mugshot from Montgomery County District Attorney