Crime News

Man Shot in Marvine-Pembroke Area, Police Say

Police searching for shooters after gunfire at public housing project Monday evening.

Police are investigating the shooting of a man in the Marvine-Pembroke area of Bethlehem. He was shot more than once, police say. Police responded to the scene at 5:35 p.m. Monday. A tactical response team surrounded a house for more than an hour but the shooters were not inside, according to a WFMZ report. The man was transported to St. Luke’s University Hospital. Police have not yet released the man's name or described the severity of his wounds, according to an Express-Times report.

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Crime News

Alleged Gunman, Back From Fla., Charged in Shooting

Kenneth Ortega, who had fled from Bethlehem following Jan. 31 Marvine-Pembroke shooting, arraigned for criminal attempted homicide.

  For Kenneth Ortega, captured earlier this month in Florida in connection with a Bethlehem shooting, the number “23” is significant. Ortega turned 23 on Saturday – Feb. 23. That was also the day he returned to the Lehigh Valley and was charged with shooting at two men – hitting one of them – on Jan. 31 in Marvine-Pembroke. The man who was shot was taken to the hospital by his mother, who witnessed the shooting, court records say. Ortega was taken into custody Feb. 7 in Polk County, Fla., east of Tampa. The court records say he is a “known member” of the Maniac Latin Disciple street gang. The records also say Ortega, known as “K.O.” and “Kenny,” was on probation for a 2010 robbery conviction. After being arraigned on charges that include …

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Wanted: Suspected Marvine-Pembroke Gunman

An arrest warrant has been issued for Kenneth Ortega, 22, of Bethlehem, who is suspected of Thursday afternoon shooting in Bethlehem.

Crime News

Police ID Suspect in Marvine-Pembroke Shooting

An arrest warrant has been issued for Kenneth Ortega, 22, of Bethlehem, who is suspected of Thursday afternoon shooting in Bethlehem.

  Bethlehem police have obtained an arrest warrant for the man they believe is responsible for the Thursday afternoon shooting in the Marvine-Pembroke section of the city. Kenneth Ortega, 22, of Bethlehem was identified as the suspect in the shooting in a news release issued this morning that also included a photograph. Police said they have obtained an arrest warrant from night-duty District Judge Nancy Matos-Gonzalez that charges Ortega with two counts of attempted homicide, four counts of aggravated assault and other associated charges. Anyone who sees Ortega is asked to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Det. Bradford Jones at 610.865.7146 or 610.865.7187. The shooting occurred at about 3 …

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Crime News

Man Shot in Marvine-Pembroke Section of City

Bethlehem Police investigating 3 p.m. shooting on Fritz Drive. Initial reports are that wounds are not life-threatening.

  A man was shot at about 3 p.m. Thursday in the Marvine-Pembroke section of the city, though his wounds are apparently not life-threatening, Bethlehem police said. Officers responded to the 1100 block of Fritz Drive for a report of gunshots being fired there, police said. There were also reports that people were running away from the area. Fifteen minutes after the initial shooting report, St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill notified the department that there was a gunshot victim in their emergency room, police said. Detectives were on the scene and investigating, and more information will be released when it becomes available, police said.

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Crime News

Man, 21, Shot Dead Outside Bethlehem Club

The man killed in a Bethlehem shooting early Saturday has been identified at Tyree Wimberly, 21, of Allentown.

The victim of Bethlehem's first 2013 homicide has been identified as Tyree Wilberly, 21, of 2341 S. Alice St., Allentown, according to the Lehigh County coroner. Wimberly was shot Saturday at 1:36 a.m. outside Scoobies Gentlemen's Club at W. Broad Street near Club Avenue, which is near the Bethlehem-Allentown border. Neighbors who live near the club told Lehigh Valley Live that they weren't surpised by the shooting. They said it's common to hear loud arguments outside the club on weekends. Wimberly was pronounced dead at 3:40 a.m. at St. Luke's University Hospital, Fountain Hill. Bethlehem police and the Lehigh County coroner are investigating with assistance from Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin.

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Slain Woman Mourned on Randolf Road

Memorial of candles and flowers placed outside of home of Yolanda Morales, 23, who was killed in Sunday morning gunfight in South Bethlehem.

  A memorial of flowers and candles has been placed alongside Nativity statues of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus outside of the public housing unit on Randolf Road where Yolanda Morales lived. Inside, Yolanda’s mother – apparently surrounded by grieving friends and family – was still in shock and did not wish to talk to reporters, according to a cousin of the slain 23-year-old who answered the door Tuesday afternoon. Morales was mortally wounded early Sunday by one of 30 bullets fired during a chaotic gunfight on E. Third Street outside the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society, where a minor confrontation spilled out into the street and escalated to a gun battle, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. Morales’ …

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Crime News

DA: Minor Incident in Club Led to Deadly Gun Fight

Yolanda Morales, 23, followed confrontation out onto E. Third Street before she was hit by gunshot. Police trying to sort out who is responsible for Bethlehem woman's death.

  A chaotic and deadly gun battle on E. Third Street apparently began with a minor confrontation between two groups of people who did not know each other before Saturday night, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. By the time it ended, about 30 bullets had been fired, a young woman was dead and five men were wounded – one perhaps seriously enough to be paralyzed, according to the DA, who held a news conference Monday to explain what law enforcement knows about the shootout outside of the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society that claimed the life of Yolanda Morales. Morales, 23, of 1249 Randolf Road, Bethlehem, died of a gunshot wound to her body, according to Lehigh County Coroner Scott M. Grim, who ruled the …

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1 Woman Dead, 5 Men Wounded in Shootout Outside Puerto Rican Club

Yolanda Morales, 23, killed in early Sunday shootout on E. Third St. DA says suspects are among the five others who were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

Crime News

1 Woman Dead, 5 Men Wounded in Shootout Outside Puerto Rican Club [Updated]

Bethlehem police are investigating the early morning shootings outside the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society in what has been described as a chaotic scene.

Story updated at 9:50 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 A 23-year-old woman was killed and five men wounded following a shootout early Sunday outside the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society, Bethlehem police said. The identity of the woman killed has not been released, pending notification of next of kin, but lehighvalleylive.com reported that a friend identified her as Yolanda Morales. Her death has been ruled a homicide, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. On Sunday, there were candles, flowers and notes set up as a memorial at the shooting scene. "Yoli, my Baby Girl," read a note. "Ur gonna be missed. Dearly love you and Gonna miss u always and forever. Rest with the Angels."  Multiple 911 calls about the shootings in the 200 block of E. …

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