Contractor Paid $6,000, Didn't Do Work, Police Say

Given $6,000 to renovate a bathroom in a Northeast Bethlehem home, an Upper Milford contractor took the money and paid personal debts, police say.

An Upper Milford contractor who was paid more than $6,000 to renovate a bathroom in northeast Bethlehem used most of that money to pay off personal debt rather than for materials needed for the job, police said. Daniel N. Diaz, 42, of 5197 Spruce Road, told police that he was “robbing Peter to pay Paul” in an effort to catch up to child support payments and other debts, according to an arrest affidavit. Diaz was arrested Tuesday and charged with home improvement fraud, theft and receiving stolen property—all felonies. He is free on $20,000 bail following his arraignment before District Judge James Narlesky. According to the arrest affidavit:

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Emmaus Police Reports

Nearly $4K in Jewelry Stolen from Nursing Home Resident, Police Say

Theft at Emmaus Village is among the recent incidents reported by Emmaus Police Department.

The Emmaus Police Department released the following recent incidents pertaining to the borough:

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Emmaus Police Reports

$24K Truck Stolen from Main Street Business, Police Say

Theft at Hendrick’s and Son is among three recent vehicle-related thefts reported by the Emmaus Police Department.

The Emmaus Police Department released the following recent incidents pertaining to the borough: Theft of Motor Vehicle: Reported by Hendrick’s and Son, 202 Main St. Overnight 4/16-17 someone stole a 2004 Ford F350 truck valued at $24,000. Theft from Vehicle: Reported 4/9. Overnight someone smashed a car window with a brick and stole a wallet from inside the car while it was parked in the 500 block of E. Main Street. Caused $850 damage to the vehicle. Theft from Vehicle: Reported 4/8. Overnight 4/4-4/5 someone stole a car stereo and a BB gun from a vehicle while at Kelly Buick, 501 State Ave., for service.

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Pennsylvania State Police Reports

Business Reports Unauthorized Use of Credit Card, Police Say

The Mechanics Plus fuel card was used on several occasions at various Hess stations without authorization, troopers report.

Talk about a free ride. An Upper Milford Township service station recently reported to police that someone has on several occasions used its fleet gas card to purchase fuel at the business' expense and without its knowledge. A representative of Mechanics Plus of 4701 Colebrook Ave. said that its Hess fleet gas card has been used at different Hess stations in Lehigh County on several occasions without the permission of the business, according to state police at Fogelsville. A value was not given. The representative on April 11 reported the thefts and said they began on Jan. 12, 2013, police said.

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Emmaus Police Reports

Gun Stolen From Emmaus Business, Police Say

Stolen firearm is among five thefts between March 15 and April 4 reported by the Emmaus Police Department.

The Emmaus Police Department released the following recent incidents pertaining to the borough: Stolen Firearm: An employee at Impress Industries, 726 Broad St., reported a Kel-Tec .380-caliber handgun stolen from his locked vehicle while at work on March 15. The investigation continues. Stolen Laptop: An employee at Impress Industries reported an ACER laptop valued at $600 stolen from an office on March 20. Theft from Motor Vehicle: Reported on March 29 by Kelly Car & Truck, 501 State Ave. Overnight a high-end Chrysler stereo valued at $1,500 was stolen from a vehicle on the lot. Theft from Motor Vehicle: Reported on April 1. Numerous items taken from a vehicle parked in the 500 block of Eagle Drive. Stolen Motor Vehicle: Reported April 4…

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Pennsylvania State Police Reports

$10,000 in iPhones Stolen from Walmart, Police Say

Two unidentified men walk out of Lower Macungie store with 18 iPhones in their cart, troopers report.

Two men literally carted away 18 iPhones worth $10,000 recently for free -- at least for now -- from a Lower Macungie Township department store, according to police. The unidentified men walked into Walmart at 3 p.m. March 30 and loaded 18 of the phones into their cart, according to state police at Fogelsville. The problem was they pushed the cart out of the store at 1091 Mill Creek Road without paying for the estimated $10,000 in merchandise. State police have recently reported the theft of 10 laptop computers March 17 from the same store. No value was given in that theft. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-395-1438.

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Pennsylvania State Police Reports

Dunkin' Donuts Thief Treats Himself to $400, Police Say

Troopers report cash stolen from office of Upper Milford Township doughnut shop.

Someone liked Dunkin' Donuts recently for more than its coffee and doughnuts. Apparently, that someone took a liking to a green money holder with $400 inside as well, if not in particular. According to state police at Fogelsville, that someone took the money holder from an office inside the Dunkin' Donuts at 4030 Chestnut St. in Upper Milford Township between March 1 and 3. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call police at 610-395-1438.

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Pennsylvania State Police Reports

Porn is Target of Late-Night Burglary, Police Say

Lower Macungie burglar enters shed, finds adult magazines and views them in victim's garage about 1:30 a.m., troopers report.

There's probably only one person who really knows what was going on here. According to a police report, that person is a 5-foot-9 man who was wearing gray sweatpants, black sneakers and a black-hooded sweatshirt. For the rest of us, there's a lot of head scratching to be done. The man wearing the sweatshirt about 1:30 a.m. Thursday entered an unattached shed belonging to Joseph Woomer of 7582 Quarry Road, Lower Macungie, according to state police at Fogelsville. There, the prowler found a box of adult magazines. He took that box to the victim's attached garage and placed the container inside on the floor, leaving one magazine open, police said. The man in the sweatshirt fled on foot, last seen headed west toward Sauerkraut Lane. It wasn't …

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Pennsylvania State Police Reports

Copper Downspouts Stolen from Upper Milford Home, Police Say

Sections of downspouts totaling 26 feet are taken, worth about $200, troopers report.

Downspouts remain an effective means for diverting rain water from houses, but also a target for thieves to try to turn a quick buck by selling them for scrap. And, if they are made of copper, they are all the more attractive to thieves. That was the case for Carmela Cerami of 2251 Brunner Road in Upper Milford Township, who found 26 feet of copper downspouting sections taken from her home, according to state police at Fogelsville. The spouting was reported missing Feb. 24. The value was estimated at $200, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-395-1438.

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Crime News

Heiress Linny Fowler Scammed Out of $1 Million, DA Says

Allentown man and woman told philanthropist Linny Fowler they needed money for a sick child, but spent her money instead on clothing, travel and gambling, DA John Morganelli says.

  Marlene “Linny” Fowler was well-known in the Lehigh Valley for her generosity, giving millions of dollars away to institutions, causes and individuals she thought needed the money. But according to a Northampton County grand jury, two Allentown residents who got more than $1.2 million of the late UPS heiress’ money were taking advantage of her generous spirit. On Friday, Shawnta Equana Carmon, 32, of 27 West St., and Hassan Rahman Carmon, 34, of 848 N. 16th St., were each arraigned on four felony theft counts. Both were committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail. Shawnta Carmon took more than $1.15 million from Fowler during a four-and-a-half-year period that started in January 2008 and ended in August, according to …

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