Criminal Justice

The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office on Monday announced the recovery of more than $115,000 to a Salisbury Township man who was scammed during an online real estate transaction earlier this year.

Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Week, a collective effort to address the issue of human trafficking and give voices to survivors, will have a week of events to raise awareness in the local community.

The settlement includes a controversial confidentiality clause, criticized for discouraging reporting. The complainant, who remains anonymous, alleges Vereb made inappropriate comments during her brief tenure.

The crash occurred Thursday morning on Union Boulevard, at Jerome Street, in Allentown. Police say they are continuing to investigate and will release more information once an arrest is made.

The incident occurred following the conclusion of a funeral service, as community members were departing the premises.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office said an 85-year-old man was the victim in a hit-and-run on Union Boulevard on Allentown's east side. The man died at the scene.

An attempted-homicide charge against Ethan Bastien was upgraded to criminal homicide when Sian Cartagena died days after police allege he shot her.

Sian Cartagena’s death is the 16th homicide in Allentown this year and the second in less than two weeks, according to authorities.

State authorities will investigate the matter, and borough lawyers have been assigned to coordinate in the efforts.

A Northampton County judge handed down a five- to 10-year sentence for Christopher Ferrante, who was convicted of giving drugs to a former Pen Argyl wrestler shortly before his overdose death.

The Northampton County Drug Task Force raided four convenience stores Thursday — three in the Slate Belt and one in East Allen Township. Besides the cash seized, authorities said the value of products confiscated surpassed $400,000.

Elijah Patterson, 19, of Allentown, was found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges after a three-day Lehigh County Jury trial in March.

Christian Lopez-Rodriguez, 21, of Allentown, died Oct. 17, 2020, shortly after he was shot during a robbery on the Hamilton Street bridge, according to authorities.

Said Township Police Chief Frank Lombardo, “The decisions that I make, while for the organization, will always be guided by my time on the street, which brought every type of experience a police officer could have.”

Pediatricians say teen twin boys who were severely malnourished in their parents' care likely would have died in weeks or months if not for medical attention. District Judge Michael J. Faulkner determined that there was enough evidence to send the case to Lehigh County Court.

After nearly two months of investigation, authorities have declared a fire which struck the former Dixie Cup factory was arson.

A resident told police he saw a man fire a gun around 10 a.m. Monday in the 200 block of Spruce Street, where Harrison-Morton Middle School serves hundreds of students.

Johansy Suarez-Rivas died from fentanyl toxicity April 5, 2024, hours after his parents used heroin, authorities said.

All 135 residents of the building have been relocated to temporary housing at hotels arranged by the 510 Flats apartment management team, fire officials said.

Two city residents have been charged in connection with a human trafficking investigation following a multi-agency law enforcement operation at Wind Creek Casino.

A 33-year-old woman testified for several hours Tuesday about her interactions with Evan Weaver and Jason Krasley, who worked together on the Allentown Police Department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit from 2011 to 2015.

Unless Francis Anonia and Lehigh County prosecutors can reach a plea deal in the coming weeks, Anonia's trial for allegedly recording an underage student without his consent will begin in September.