Criminal Justice

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.

University police are looking for information on a screaming incident that occurred on Lehigh's campus over the weekend.

Police found no evidence that a 21-year-old Allentown man was trying to steal from vehicles before he was fatally shot last month by a resident, who was also fatally shot, authorities announced Tuesday.

Joseph Roy, the superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District, is being sued in federal court by Liberty High School Assistant Principal Antonio Traca. Roy says he has never struck a district employee. Read the complaint here.

Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck, running for a second term, has said his office reduced crime by 25% since he took office. State statistics tell a more complicated story.

The buyback, coordinated by District Attorney Terry Houck, trades $50-$200 grocery gift cards for unwanted weapons.

The toys being used during the "Orbeez Challenge" have been altered to resemble real weapons.

Both DUI arrests and speeding citations were up over last year.

Law enforcement is Lehigh County's greatest expense.

Vandals struck on the ground and main floors, and cash from a donation box was stolen, officials said.

Bethlehem officials are still investigating.

The legislation cracks down on the illegal operation of dirt bikes and ATVs in the Lehigh Valley.

Charges were filed against Bethlehem's former Budget and Finance director on Thursday.

The more important topic was keeping people safe and getting rid of gun violence.

Staff and extra security will be looking for kids left alone.

There is no public space in the Lehigh Valley in which it is legal to ride an ATV.

The four will be listed alongside 98 others who have died in the line of duty since the state police agency’s founding in 1905.

Violators face fines up to $2,500 and two years' imprisonment, under Pa.'s election code.