New Killing of Guard Morgan: New Sketches Released

State police detectives with Troop L in Reading have released computer-generated composite sketches in an effort to identify the man who shot two private security guards, one of them fatally, while he and possibly others were trespassing on an industrial estate in the Morgantown area this month.

On Wednesday, investigators released a poster containing two painted composite sketches of the shooter — one wearing a baseball cap and the other hatless. The poster also shows an image of a dark blue Dodge or Chrysler minivan similar to the suspect vehicle.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall and 230 pounds with a reddish brown beard. He was wearing a baseball cap when he shot and killed Troy A. Rickenbach, 37, of West Reading, and wounded another security guard, identified only as a 43-year-old man, shortly after midnight on Aug. 6 in the 200 block of West Reading. Quarry Road in New Morgan, according to Redding criminal investigators.

The second guard received a gunshot wound to the arm.

The paratroopers presented this account shooting:

Rickenbach and another man were hired by Pinnacle Transport Co. to protect their property due to catalytic converter thefts from vehicles in the area. The men had been patrolling Quarry Road for a long time when they spotted a suspicious vehicle, a blue Chrysler minivan.

Rickenbach attempted to contact the operator of the vehicle and noticed someone hiding inside.

When Rickenbach returned to the security van, a second security guard was on the phone with emergency dispatchers. Both men were then shot dead.

Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the Troop L-Reading Criminal Investigation Division at 610-378-4011.

Tips can be received through the Berks County Crime Alert anonymous tip line, 1-877-373-9913. Tips can also be texted using the keyword “alert berks” to 847411

The task force is paying up to $10,000 for tips that lead to an arrest. Tipsters do not need to reveal their identity to receive a reward.