Criminal Justice

Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio is working to determine the identity of skeletal remains discovered by hikers in Canal Park in Allentown in April 1991. Forensic analysis has shown the remains to be an African-American male, aged 25-35 at time of death, who grew up in the South.

Stephen Baratta spent more than $115,000 in his bid for Northampton County district attorney, not including in-kind contributions of nearly $50,000. Incumbent Terry Houck raised nearly $100,000, according to campaign finance reports.

Allentown police said they tried to stop the group of off-road vehicles near Fourth and Gordon streets on April 27.

A proposal to establish a one-year pilot program for EMTs and mental health specialists to respond to some 911 calls could be on November ballots if the Allentown City Council doesn't approve it.

Two women filed protection-from-abuse complaints against Moore Township Police Office Johnathan Miklich. The women claim he has been abusive, attempted to hire someone to kidnap and beat one of them and tried to enter a home where they were meeting with an attorney when he was supposed to be on duty.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

A juvenile suspect has been charged with misdemeanor counts as a result of a state police investigation of sewing needles in food at the Giant.

The four men, ages 21-22, shouted racial slurs at the victim before following him home and attacking him, according to investigators.

Charges against Christopher Ferrante can head to trial in Northampton County Court. The case has dominated the district attorney race between incumbent Terry Houck and challenger Stephen Baratta.

Authorities say an employee at the Giant supermarket at 7150 Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township put sewing needles into grocery items. The juvenile worker has been identified and charges are pending.

Christopher Joel Colon, 32, and John Brace, 32, both of Allentown, are accused of attempted murder and related crimes after a shooting early Wednesday on North Jordan Street. The victim suffered multiple wounds and was hospitalized, police said.

An estimated 300 Lehigh University students tore down a football goalpost and paraded it through South Bethlehem streets before tossing it from a bridge into the Lehigh River. It was a classic college football moment. Now, is someone going to be charged with a crime?

Francis "Frank" Anonia, 43, is accused of secretly recording a student in 2021 in the boys’ changing room in Parking High School’s auditorium.

Within weeks of Bethlehem City Council approving the police department to join a state drug trafficking task course, Police Chief Michelle Kott said Tuesday there’s an illegal drug now overshadowing opioids here locally.

A group of about 300 Lehigh University students carried the goalpost more than four miles from Goodman Stadium into South Bethlehem after the Lehigh football team's defeat of rival Lafayette on Saturday. On Monday, Lehigh apologized for the incident.

The whistleblower lawsuit details an alleged theft at the center of recently filed felony charges against a former Allentown Vice officer.

Palmer Township resident Andrew Wolke, 53, faces arson charges after investigators alleged he attempted to set fire to his house after being accused of indecent assault and corruption of minors.

A Palmer Township man has been arrested and charged with corruption of minors and related crimes against a high school student. Police say they are investigating "several incidents."

The 35-year-old woman faces up to 5 to 20 years in prison in connection with the child's death in April 2021. Authorities said she left the boy in the care of his visibly intoxicated father after giving the man what she believed was heroin.

Nicole Ann Stauffer, 47, of Bethlehem, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in her 2-year-old son's death in July 2022 She was sentenced Wednesday in Northampton County Court to 21 to 120 months in state prison.

In a span of about 20 minutes, Emmaus Borough Council thanked retiring Fire Chief John H. Price — he's been involved in fire service for 47 years — and swore in new police officer Matthew James Hutchins.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio says a new post-mortem CT scanner should be up and running in 4 to 8 weeks.