Chester County Sheriff Carolyn ‘Bunny’ Welsh (second left) holds the commendation presented by Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan (center). She is also joined by (from left to right) Chief Deputy Jason Suydam, Chief Deputy Kevin Dykes and First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone.
WEST CHESTER – Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan issued a commendation to the Chester County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit on Tuesday, July 11, for their roles in the apprehension of Barry Baker, who was accused of sucker-punching a person with cerebral palsy in May.
Baker, 29, of Georgetown, DE, allegedly assaulted the victim outside a 7-11 convenience store in West Chester on May 10. He was charged with simple assault and related offenses by the West Chester Borough Police Department. Baker was also wanted for failure to appear for a domestic relations matter and on an Adult Probation warrant. Working with the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the deputies took Baker into custody on June 5.
Hogan, who presented members of the unit with a plaque citing their “outstanding diligence and commitment,” acknowledged that their work seldom generates attention because they operate beneath the radar.
“We sure as heck don’t tell people how you do it because we don’t want the bad guys to know … how you end up catching them and bringing them in,” Hogan said.
Because of the heinous nature of the alleged offense, the case generated extensive publicity.
“The whole world was watching Chester County,” said Hogan, “and you delivered.”
He added that he had conferred with David B. Webb, the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who applauded the teamwork involved in Baker’s apprehension.
Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh said she appreciated Hogan’s remarks as well as the positive relationship her office has with county prosecutors.
“We’re fortunate to enjoy such a good working relationship,” she said. “That doesn’t always exist everywhere.”
“I’m extremely proud of the FAU and the multi-agency cooperation they continue to demonstrate,” Welsh added.
