7 Hospitalized, 30 Displaced After Arson Damages 6 Homes In Allentown: Police
A fire in Allentown that injured seven people, including four firefighters, and displaced 30 residents is now being investigated as arson, authorities announced Friday, Dec. 27.
Santos Mota-Ramirez, 60, of Allentown, has been charged in connection with the fire, police announced Friday.
The blaze began around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, in the 700 block of West Cedar Street and quickly spread to six adjacent row homes, according to the Allentown Fire Department.
Dozens of firefighters battled the flames, which left five families displaced and caused severe damage to multiple homes, offi…
Emmaus Man Found Dead In River By Dog Walker, Coroner Says
A 34-year-old man from Emmaus was found dead in Jordan Creek in Allentown, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office announced on Friday, Dec. 27.
Daniel Leibensperger, 34, was pronounced dead at 12:33 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, near the 1200 block of North 6th Street in Allentown, according to the coroner's office.
Leibensperger was reportedly found partly submerged in the creek by a passerby walking their dog, the coroner said.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 30, at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center to determine the cause and manner of death.
New details have been…
Armed Burglary, Standoff At Pharmacy On Christmas Eve Lands 2 Allentown Men Charges: DA
Two men have been charged following an armed burglary and standoff with police at the Fountain Hill Pharmacy in Lehigh County on Christmas Eve, authorities announced Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Miguel Martinez, 56, of Allentown, and David Vazquez, 33, of Bethlehem, face multiple charges, including felony burglary, felony recklessly endangering another person, and several misdemeanors such as theft by unlawful taking, prohibited offensive weapon, and possessing an instrument of crime, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.
The charges stem from an incident at 1049 Broadway th…
Allentown Gang Member Sentenced To Up To 30 Years For 2023 Double Shooting: DA
A gang member will serve up to 30 years in state prison for a 2023 double shooting in Allentown that left two victims seriously injured, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, Dec. 20.
Dimitrius Bashir Campbell, 24, of Allentown, pleaded guilty on Oct. 18, 2024, to attempted third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit homicide, both first-degree felonies, according to the DA.
At a sentencing hearing on Dec. 16, Campbell was ordered to serve 15 to 30 years behind bars by Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 300 block of Ri…
Woman Arrested After Ex-BF Accused Of Firing Fatal Shot In Whitehall Parking Lot: DA
A second arrest has been made in the killing of Hector Garcia Gomez, a Palmerton mechanic fatally shot in a Whitehall Township parking lot during a dispute, authorities announced Friday, Dec. 20.
Liz Pacheco, 36, of Allentown, is accused of conspiring with her former partner, Christian Martinez-Ramos, to locate and kill Garcia Gomez, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Whitehall Police Chief Michael Marks.
Pacheco has been charged with first-degree felony counts of criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, and aggravated assault, as well as misdemeano…
Engaged Couple Killed In Double-Fatal Hit-Run Crash By Allentown Man On THC: DA
An engaged couple, both parents and expecting a grandchild, were struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash while an Allentown driver was high on marijuana, authorities announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Imanol Caraballo, 23, is charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, and other related offenses for the crash that killed Christopher Stocker, 44, and Luz Daneza Ruiz Acosta, 43, both of Allentown.
The crash happened around 1:15 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2023, in the 300 block of Hamilton Street, where Caraballo fled after striking the pair, police said.
A silver sedan with a smashed…
Inmate Found Unresponsive At Lehigh County Jail Dies: Investigation Underway
A Lehigh County Jail inmate was found unresponsive in his cell on Saturday, Dec. 14, and later pronounced dead, authorities said.
Linwood Jones, 62, was discovered unresponsive in his cell at the Allentown facility around 4:20 p.m., according to the Lehigh County Department of Corrections. Staff immediately declared a medical emergency and began CPR before EMS arrived and took over, Director of Corrections Janine Donate said.
Jones was transported to St. Luke's Hospital-Allentown by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead at 5:20 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, officials said.
Jones had been admi…
Hit-Run Driver Who Killed Dad Of 3, Bicyclist Sentenced: Lehigh County DA
A driver who fled the scene after fatally striking a bicyclist in Lower Macungie Township will spend up to 17 years in prison, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced on Monday, Dec. 16.
Anthony Michael Rutch, 51, pleaded guilty on Nov. 4, 2024, to accidents involving death or personal injury and homicide by vehicle, prosecutors said.
At a hearing on Dec. 13, 2024, Lehigh County Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks sentenced Rutch to 4 to 17 years in state prison for the death of 36-year-old Alexander Zarnas, authorities said.
The crash happened on March 9, 2021, at 5:06 p.m. on …
Two Men Charged With Attempted Murder In Allentown Shooting: DA
Two men have been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man in Allentown, District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca announced on Thursday, Nov. 28.
Christopher Joel Colon, 32, and John Brace, 32, both of Allentown, are accused of shooting Jorge Alicea Jr. multiple times around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, on the 400 block of North Jordan Street, according to authorities.
Alicea Jr. was found with multiple gunshot wounds and rushed into surgery by Allentown EMS, police said.
Video evidence showed Alicea walking across a porch to a doub…
