The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges relating to the incident Tuesday evening that led to an officer involved shooting in Penn Township.  Christopher Rivera, 36 of Middletown, stands charged with multiple counts of robbery, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault.

On August 27, 2024, at 8:17 p.m., officers with the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department (NLCRPD) were dispatched for a “burglary in progress” at the Calm Spa located in Penn Town Shopping Center in the 1200 block of Lancaster Rd., Manheim.  

On scene officers entered the front of the business and were approached by two female employees of the spa. Officers then saw a male running toward the back of the business. The male, later identified as Rivera, fled out of the rear door to the business where he encountered two additional NLCRPD officers.

Preliminary review of body worn camera shows that as Rivera ran out of the back of the business, he refused to follow multiple police commands to stop, and pulled what appeared to be a firearm from his waistband and continued to flee with the firearm in his hand.  One officer fired his service weapon and disabled the suspect.  Officers immediately secured the suspect and rendered first aid. The suspect was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.  The Officers were physically unharmed in this encounter.

Investigators later recovered the weapon at the scene and determined it to be a black pellet gun which closely resembled that of a semi-automatic handgun. 

Pursuant to protocol, the Lancaster County Detectives responded to the scene and initiated an investigation of the underlying criminal charges and an independent investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The victims reported that after Rivera entered the business, he was told that the business was closed. At that time, Rivera pulled out what appeared to be a black firearm from his waistband and pointed it at the one employee and demanded money.  That employee initially provided ten dollars but after Rivera demanded more, the employee handed over an additional $800 from store proceeds.  Rivera then instructed both victims to enter a massage room while continuing to point the gun at them. The victims entered the room where both were made to undress.  Rivera then raped and sexually assaulted both employees.  Detectives viewed video footage which showed Rivera pointing a firearm at both victims and directing them into a massage room as well as Rivera exiting the back door as police entered the front.

Based on the review of video footage in the Spa, law enforcement learned of a witness who was in the business at the time of the robbery.  Lancaster County Detectives need to speak with this individual as the witness alerted another citizen of a “robbery” taking place in the business who then called 911.  Detectives are asking this individual to come forward and contact the Lancaster County Detectives at 717-299-8100. 

Rivera was arraigned and bail was set at $1,000,000.  He remains in the hospital at this time under guard.

The investigation of the officer involved shooting is continuing as the District Attorney’s Office continues to review additional video footage and conduct interviews. Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams will review the incident and make a final determination after the conclusion of the investigation regarding the police use of force.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.