Crime & Safety
Shooting Threat Preceded High-Speed Chase, Police Say
South Bethlehem man fled from police who wanted him because he had threatened to shoot his girlfriend, according to court records.
A 53-year-old city man whose driver’s license expired more than 30 years ago is charged with leading police on two high-speed chases—the first one in May while he operated a red motorcycle and the latest one this past weekend.
The suspect, Noel Pagan Sr., is also charged with threatening to shoot his girlfriend in May because she wanted to break up with him and for allegedly harassing her with repeated phone calls and text messages.
Court records say the weekend incident happened Saturday morning, when city police began chasing Pagan near E. Third and Hobart streets in South Bethlehem. He was driving a gold 1999 Honda Accord.
The chase continued on Seidersville Road in Lower Saucon Township and ended when Pagan entered the Salisbury Township section of the roadway.
But Pagan, of 603 Aaron St., was taken into custody later Saturday, arraigned and committed to Northampton County Prison.
Charges included fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, escape, driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked and various traffic violations.
The records say Pagan’s driver’s license was suspended in May 1980 and is under suspension.
Last month’s incidents began May 8 when his girlfriend, who lives on Eastwood Road in Marvine-Pembroke, told him she wanted to end their relationship. She told police Pagan grabbed her by the face with both hands from behind, causing injuries.
According to the records:
- Pagan said to her: ”You know I have a gun at my house. I’m going home and I’m coming back with the gun and I’m gonna shoot you or kill somebody tonight.”
- After the woman called police, an officer spotted Pagan on a red motorcycle and began following him on Hayes Street between Third and Fourth streets.
- He went through four red lights at speeds estimated at 100 mph and while roadways were wet.
- A few hours later, Pagan began a “barrage” of phone calls and texts to his girlfriend.
”Noel Pagan told her this is just the beginning, I am just getting started,” the records say. He also threatened to shoot himself in the head in front of her and her children, police said.
Charges in the May incidents include simple assault, terroristic threats, harassment, intimidation of witnesses or victims, and various traffic violations.
Pagan was arraigned Saturday afternoon by on-duty District Judge Robert Hawke of Lehigh Township, who set total bail for three sets of charges at $70,000.
