Crime & Safety
Police Say Emergency Flashers Draw Them to Drunk Driver
Trooper stops to investigate car pulled to side of the road and finds DUI in Lower Macungie.
We begin with a disclaimer: No one is advocating driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But if you must, it probably isn't a good idea to call attention to yourself by turning on your emergency flashers.
A case in point: A New Jersey man is accused by of doing just that on May 5 in Lower Macungie Township.
James Kenneth Holmes, Jr., 25, of Irvington was found pulled to the shoulder of Intersate 78 with his emergency flashers activated, police said. Police stopped to check on the situation and suspected that Holmes was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol after speaking with him. They said he also carried a small amount of marijuana. He was charged with driving under the influence in district court, police said.
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Lock those car doors!
Periodic thefts from vehicles continue in the area. State police on May 9 issued a general warning of a spate of these thefts, particularly in the area of Driver Place but at several other locations as well. Police ask anyone with information to call them at 610-395-1438.
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The following involve thefts from vehicles, according to police:
* Reported May 9 by Christine Ann Snyder of the 1300 block of Mohr Circle; a GPS, purse and iPod taken.
* Reported April 30 at 1190 Grange Road, Lot H3; GPS and other items taken.
* Reported May 6 by Gretchen Wulzer-MClain of 2061 Strathmore Drive; several unspecified items taken.
* Reported May 6 by an 18-year-old female at 6064 Shepherd Hills Ave.; $10 and credit cards taken.
* Reported May 8 by a resident at 1731 Brookstone Drive; shot glass and two GPSes taken.
In other Lower Macungie police incidents:
Cited: Andrzej Grablies, 36, of Allentown, and Andrei Polubochack, 24, of Allentown; May 9 with disorderly conduct at Krocks Pub, 1160 S. Krocks Road; made threats to establishment employees after being told to leave, police said; Grablis also cited for harassment.
Theft: Reported May 2 by Larry Paul Dengler of 2729 Springhaven Place; told police 40 prescription pills of Methadone were stolen from his home, police said.
Charged: Esther Matthias Van-Billiard, 58, of Fernwood Street, Emmaus; May 11 for retail theft at 6900 Hamilton Blvd.; placed $87 in jewelry in a bag without paying for it, police said; processed at Lehigh County Central Booking and released.