Crime & Safety
Bethlehem Man Charged in Pen Argyl Break-In
Suspect allegedly grabbed a claw hammer and smashed TV and wall, then threatened to come back with his "Bloods" and shoot up house, police say.
Two days before Christmas, a Bethlehem man -- being driven in a black Lexus and accompanied by a 17-year-old girl -- broke into a Pen Argyl home, found a claw hammer and smashed a flat-screen television and a wall, police say.
Later that day, he told the home’s resident via cell phone, “I’m coming down with my Bloods and shoot up your house,” according to court records.
As to the motive for the alleged incident, a witness told police he heard the girl “shouting about money that was owed her,” the records say. That money -- $50 – apparently was owed not by the resident but by his friend.
Abdiel Ruiz-Roque, 20, of 1338 Eastwood Road in Marvine-Pembroke, was arraigned early Friday on charges of burglary, intimidation of witnesses or victims, criminal trespass, corruption of minors and criminal mischief.
He was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail – set by on-duty District Judge Joseph Barner of Lower Nazareth Township.
