Bethlehem Police: Emmaus Man Attempted Robbery

A Macungie man is in Northampton County Prison following his arrest for his alleged involvement in an attempted street robbery in South Bethlehem in October.

Brian M. Reiss, 29, of 3976 Orchard Road, was arraigned Thursday on charges of felony robbery, simple assault and criminal conspiracy in front of , who set bail at $100,000.

He and co-defendant Stephen M. Smith of 47 S. Fifth St., Emmaus, are accused of following two victims out of , a bar and restaurant at 217 Broadway on October 3.

According to court papers, Reiss and Smith caught up to their two targets on the 400 block of Birkel Avenue, accosted them and demanded that they empty their pockets and give them all of their money. They then lunged at their two targets, both men, and began to fight with them.

Reiss and Smith then fled when Lehigh University police arrived near the scene.