Crime News

Alleged Check Scheme Defrauded Local Gas Station

According to Bethlehem police, five women cashed fake checks at Stefko Boulevard gas station to steal more than $3,000 in December.

Four Bethlehem women and a fifth from Allentown have been implicated in a scheme to cash fraudulent checks at a Stefko Boulevard gas station, stealing more than $3,000 in the process, according to court papers. Arrested on Friday were Jenny Hassan, 36, of 1967 Hillcrest Road, Bethlehem, and Shanta Tarah Newton, 24, of 1220 Fairmount St., Bethlehem. Both were charged with felony theft by deception. Three other women were named as co-defendants in the arrest warrant and, according to online court records, charges against them were filed on Thursday, though none had been arrested as of Friday afternoon. They are Lastasha Serrano of 1951 Hillcrest Road, Bethlehem; Angelina Boka of 1950 Hillcrest Road, Bethlehem, and Daylena Carney of 226 S. …

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Theft Charges Filed Against Ex-Northampton County Solicitor

The Northampton County District Attorney's Office files theft charges against former county Solicitor Anthony J. Martino.

Former Northampton County Solicitor Anthony J. Martino faces charges after a grand jury concluded that he committed thefts and theft-related offenses while working as an attorney in Bangor. Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli held a press conference Monday morning to announce the grand jury results regarding Martino, who faces charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, forgery and misapplication of entrusted property. According to a criminal complaint obtained by Patch.com, Martino -- working for a law firm in Bangor -- was named executor of the estate of John L. Farace, who died March 3, 2008. Farace's …

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