In Common Pleas court in Dolyestown last week, 18-year-old Jacob Pemberton, of Pacific Drive in Bristol Township, learned that he will spend the next 20 to 40 years in prison for shooting a homeless man near the Five Points intersection in Levittown.
Bucks County Judge Wallace Bateman sentenced the teen, who was charged with attempted murder and other serious offenses.
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Pemberton’s accomplice in the crime – Aaron Day, 20, of Fleetwing Drive in Bristol Township – was found guilty attempted murder and related charges in June. He was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in state prison.
Credit: Bucks County Department of Corrections
Bristol Township police report that the January shooting happened after Pemberton talked about “getting some money.” He specified to police that the term referred to robbing someone or stealing. Using Premberton’s mother’s PT Cruiser, the two drive around for 30 minutes before spotting a homeless man near the Getty Gas station at Five points, police said.
According to court papers, the duo approached the victim and demanded money just before 4:30 a.m. and asked him, “where is the weed?”
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Pemberton and Day wrestled with the victim before Pemberton shot the homeless man with a shotgun he had concealed down his pant leg, police said.
The victim was struck twice by two shotgun blasts and ran away screaming, police said. The victim told police he heard the suspects yelling that they had to run as he made his way toward the Acme.
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Police said the shotgun was fired at the victim from less than 8 feet away.
Two spent shotgun shells were chucked out the window of the PT Crusier and a bag stolen from the victim was also thrown out as the Pemberton and Day escaped, police said.
Patrol units spotted the PT Cruiser and chased it through the Indian Creek Section.
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The car then became stuck in the mud on PECO property and Pemberton and Day ran away, police said. Officers were able to take Pemberton into custody on Ice Pond Road and Day was arrested less than 24 hours later.
The victim survived and underwent surgery to his left bicep and upper arm. Staff at St. Mary Medical Center removed bits of shotgun pellets and wadding from the victim.
