Bethlehem Men Accused of Pointing Pellet Gun

Two Bethlehem area men are accused of driving drunk on Route 191 in Nazareth and pointing a pellet gun -- that closely resembled an M-16 assault rifle -- at passersby, according to Nazareth police.

Adam Berube, 21, of the 1862 Falcon Drive, Bethlehem, was arraigned before night duty and charged with making terroristic threats, driving under the influence of alcohol, sale and use of air rifles, careless driving and disorderly conduct.

He remains in Northampton County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $50,000 bail.

His passenger, James Covis, 19, of the 3263 Oakland Square Drive, Bethlehem Township, was charged with making terroristic threats, sale and use of air rifles, disorderly conduct, and purchase, consumption, possession and/or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

He remains in Northampton County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $25,000 bail.

According to a police criminal complaint:

Officer Daniel Troxell was dispatched to Route 191 on Monday for a report of a man driving erratically and pointing a gun out the car’s window.

Troxell, who was later assisted by Police Chief Thomas Trachta, conducted a vehicle stop on a green Ford with Florida registration.

The driver, later identified as Berube, told Troxell that the weapon was in the rear of the vehicle.

Both Berube and Covis were asked to exit the vehicle, were searched and then placed into custody. 

Troxell could see a bottle of vodka and what appeared to be an M-16 assault rifle through the vehicle’s rear window. When Troxell picked up the M-16, he immediately knew it was a pellet gun.

Both men smelled of alcoholic beverages when taken back to police headquarters. They agreed to portable breath tests, which showed positive results for alcohol.

Berube was taken to the Easton DUI Center for a blood test.