Criminal Justice

Officers called to a shooting in Bethlehem found a man with a gunshot wound to the body. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital in critical condition, police said.

Joshua Ortiz, 28, of Allentown, had pleaded guilty April 22 to attempted murder — a first-degree felony — in the June 4, 2023, incident in the parking lot of AutoZone, 1871 S. Fifth St., Allentown.

Allentown authorities have released the names and images of two individuals suspected of being involved in the shooting of an 11-year-old boy on June 13. 2024, and are asking for help finding the pair.

Kareem Ali Greene, 40, served more than a decade in state prison after pleading guilty to a March 2007 armed robbery in South Allentown, court records show.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said, “A local ordinance would make it easier for us to seize the dirt bikes after [the riders are] taken into police custody."

Two council members hit back at the mayor Tuesday, saying they have no concerns about the process that led them to hire a former FBI agent to investigate allegations of workplace discrimination and racism.

The helicopter from Pennsylvania State Police was used during an enforcement detail Saturday afternoon and evening in Allentown, officials said. They say the plan is to use the helicopter throughout the summer.

Allentown police are investigating after a boy was injured by a stray bullet Thursday.

Zebbelin Standish, 36, formerly of Easton, was sentenced Wednesday in Northampton County Court after a four-day February trial in which he was convicted of 55 felony counts.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan says machine gun conversion devices, also known as Glock switches, are becoming increasingly common in the region. The illegal modifications turn semi-automatic firearms into automatic weapons.

At its Wednesday budget hearing, Northampton County Council looked for ways to draw more workers to the Juvenile Justice Center — that don't involve raising wages.

The 77-year-old motorist received two citations and will not face serious criminal charges in the death of teacher's aide Angela Yowakim, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office said.

Two county administrators will appear before Northampton County Council to answer questions about the staff shortage and the juvenile justice center's future.

The afternoon shooting happened in the eastbound lanes, near MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, according to state police.

A newly released report from the nonprofit Lehigh Valley Justice Institute shows the impact marijuana offenses have on the local court system and the difference in how individuals are charged in Allentown and Bethlehem.

A partnership with Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team teaches mounted police what to do if their horses get into trouble.

An amendment that would alter the budget for the District Attorney's Office was debated at a recent Lehigh County Commissioners meeting.

The incident has prompted the Bethlehem Area School District and city police plan to ramp up security measures at future games.

Mayor Matt Tuerk of Allentown plans to release his proposed budget this Saturday. Residents are waiting to see what it holds.

As Northampton County Prison (NCP) reports one case of COVID-19 among inmates, a nagging question emerges: is the pandemic really over?

At Wednesday's Allentown City Council meeting, the city's police chief requested permission to seek grants from the state to afford a gunshot detection system, new surveillance cameras and other upgrades.

Lehigh County is sitting on $1.7 million for opioid abuse treatment. And millions more are on the way.