Crime & Safety

Township Motorist Flashed Pistol After Passing

Michael Stern III charged with terroristic threats after Thursday incident on Emrick Boulevard.

A Bethlehem Township man was jailed early Friday morning after he allegedly brandished a pistol at two people in a car as he passed them in his truck along Emrick Boulevard, according to court papers.

The accused, Michael J. Stern III, 54, of 3646 Greiner St., told police that he flashed his high beams at the car in front of him as he drove along Freemansburg Avenue because it was moving very slowly, according to the arrest warrant.

He told the passenger of the vehicle appeared to “flip him off,” once on Freemansburg Avenue, and again as they drove north on Emrick Boulevard where he passed them.

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At that point, Stern told police, he took the pistol out of a canvas sheath and displayed it to the passengers in the car. But the car continued to follow him, he said.

“I displayed my pistol in an effort to get them to back off. Let it go. But I never pointed it at them,” Stern said, according to the court affidavit.

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Stern was charged with two counts each of terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment. He was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail following his arraignment in front of District Judge James J. Narlesky.


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