Criminal Justice

The Northampton County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday announced the arrest of Matthew Torres in connection with a fatal crash on Stefko Boulevard in Bethlehem.

The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office said Richard A. Costello, 65, was found dead at 9:37 a.m. at his home on Friday, Aug. 2. The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the stomach.

A Hellertown man was arrested Saturday after police say he stabbed his roommate multiple times. William Vera was charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

A stabbing was reported around 3:15 a.m. Saturday on East Thomas Avenue, according to Hellertown police.

Evander Thompson, 30, is accused of fatally shooting Orlando Ibanez the morning of Sept. 23 at an apartment in the 500 block of West Allen Street.

Upper Macungie Township Police Sgt. Dathan Schlegel gave out 2,106 traffic citations in 2023, according to the Lehigh Valley DUI Highway Safety Taskforce.

Various Berks and Lehigh County police departments will join together to conduct coordinated aggressive-driving enforcement activities along the Route 222 corridor, a release said.

According to court records, Kyle Anthony Kleintop, of Wind Gap, has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, criminal trespass and more.

HanoverView Animal Hospital has reported its two outdoor air conditioning units were dismantled and stolen early Monday morning. Workers are asking for the public's help with finding the thieves.

While the city fills out its traffic staff, Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said he’d have to touch base with his team to see about any upcoming speed surveys. But the city is open to making some adjustments as needed, he said.

A 35-year-old woman was shot and killed at a playground in the township on Tuesday, authorities said. Rami Abouloh, 41, has been charged in the incident, according to court documents.

Supporters detailed the merits of the program Tuesday ahead of the council’s imminent deadline to vote on the proposal.

Prosecutors confirmed Johnathan Miklich, a Moore Township police officer, remains suspended from duty. His wife and ex-girlfriend previously accused him of harassment and assault.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott outlined the potential for a part-time detective to team up with other agencies to address sex trafficking and child exploitation.

The Lehigh County Office of the Public Defender is set to host its fifth “Community Outreach Day” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking garage at Seventh and Walnut streets.

The juvenile charged appeared Thursday in juvenile court and admitted to the allegations involving the tampering of food products with sewing needles at the Lower Macungie Township Giant supermarket

In February, society members called a news conference to detail what they described as a campaign of threats and harassment by a rogue group of temple members. The 3 accused are part of that group, according to the temple leadership.

Lance Wheeler, an Easton community activist and former Easton City Council candidate, has been charged with harassing three students while driving a Wilson Area School District van in 2022.

Gavin Holihan, the Democratic and Republican nominee for Lehigh County district attorney, said he hopes to find resources to assist underserved families so at-risk kids today don't become victims or defendants a decade from now.

The pleas potentially set the stage for a trial in which Kohberger could face the death penalty.

Unofficial results in Lehigh and Northampton counties suggest voters rallied around candidates for Northampton County Council and Lehigh County district attorney, among others.

The changes, introduced at a county council committee meeting Wednesday, would eliminate some youth care worker positions at the county's juvenile justice center, and create new assistant supervisor roles.