Criminal Justice

Costas Alestas, a 17-year veteran of the Bethlehem Police Department, was fired after the allegations came to light. He worked as a school resource officer at East Hills Middl School in the Bethlehem Area School District.

David J. Gibbs, 34, was killed and two others were hurt in a shooting early Friday morning inside Big Woody's Sports Bar and Restaurant on Allentown’s East Side, authorities said.

Anderson Jorge Cruz, 27, no known address, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter-unreasonable belief, a first-degree felony, for killing Juan Alfredo Sanchez, 24.

The delivery driver was wanted on a warrant issued Dec. 10 on charges of third-degree murder in the Nov. 21 killing of 29-year-old Rigiberto Hernandez Arias, of Allentown, authorities said.

Several signature displays — valued at more than $60,000 — were unsalvageable and declared “total losses" after vandals struck over the weekend at Lights in the Parkway, according to officials.

“Every time someone makes the intentional decision to get behind the wheel intoxicated, they endanger every person they encounter on the roadway,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “I have seen far too many tragedies caused by completely avoidable vehicle crashes rooted to DUI.”

Lights in the Parkway will be closed Sunday night after significant vandalism caused extensive damage to holiday light displays and park facilities at Lehigh Parkway, according to Allentown officials.

Currently authorized to employ 154 officers, the city department has 138 on the roster, but only 127 can report for work for various reasons, Chief Michelle Kott told City Council during a Nov. 20 budget hearing.

“These scammers have well-rehearsed scripts and are readily prepared to convincingly answer any question posed to them," Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna said.

Lehigh County Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi is among dozens of people charged by the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office in a large-scale drug investigation announced in August.

Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck announced police have charged John Bradley, 17, of North Whitehall Township, with two counts of homicide and car theft in relation to Thursday's double-homicide in North Catasauqua.

Pennsylvania State Police and the Northampton County District Attorney's Office have scheduled a news conference for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday regarding a double-homicide investigation in North Catasauqua.

Rosalyn Glass, 39, and Rianna Glass, 16, died of "sharp force injuries" Sept. 14 inside Rosalyn's home in North Catasauqua, according to authorities. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek ruled the cases homicides, but investigators say the public is not in danger.

Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate last week's double homicide in North Catasauqua. A search warrant filed in district court revealed new details in the investigation.

Nine juveniles who escaped from a detention center in Berks County and were at large for less than a day have been captured, state police said Monday.

Sammy Sasso was shot in a carjacking last month near Ohio State University. “Every donation, message, and positive thought has made a difference in Sammy's spirits and his path toward recovery,” his family says.

A 39-year-old woman and 16-year-old girl were found by '"distraught extended family members" in the home off Railroad Street, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

In the wake of a jail escapes in Chester and Warren counties, state Republican lawmakers are planning to introduce a set of bills to improve county jail security, infrastructure and staffing.

District Attorney Jim Martin said that people in the community should delete the video found on social media that shows a child being sexually abused.

Authorities in Pennsylvania said they captured escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante after hunting for him nearly two weeks.

The Connect Lehigh County program will make police aware of where participating private groups and residents have installed security cameras. Police hope this can help them quickly collect video evidence as they investigate crimes.

PA State Police said the department was pursuing Danelo Souza Cavalcante in Chester County and believe he's now armed.