Authorities Warn Counterfeit $100 Bills Are Being Circulated Locally

A notice posted on the Palmer Township website
by police warns that counterfeit $100 notes are being
circulated locally and lists five serial numbers that
counterfeits may carry.
Click on the image for a full size view.

Area residents and businesses are being warned to inspect any $100 bills carefully to ensure they are not counterfeit.

A notice posted on the Palmer Township website by police and issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service instructs members of the public to look for signs that $100 bills they may receive might be fakes.

Signs that the bills may not be legitimate including the number "77" on the back in the lower right-hand corner above the "100" denomination marker. The notice includes a list five serial number sets that have been apparently found by authorities on counterfeit currency circulated in the area.

"If anyone attempts to pass one of the above described counterfeit notes, please obtain as much information as possible about the individual(s) and contact your local police and the U.S. Secret Service field office at 215-861-3300," the notice instructs.

Click here to view the original notice in its entirety.

Burglaries Reported in Palmer Township

A house in the 2900 block of Norton Avenue in Palmer was reportedly broken into and burglarized during the day yesterday.

Township police say the burglary occurred sometime between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7 and that entry was achieved by force through the front door of the residence. Authorities did not disclose what was taken from the home.

Additionally, 18 storage units were found to be broken into at Palmer Storage on Northwood Avenue, police say, adding that the units were found to have missing padlocks or the padlocks cut off the entry doors. It is unknown what, if any, items are missing from the storage spaces.

The units were apparently entered sometime between December 26 and January 3.

Anyone with information about either burglary is asked to contact the Palmer Township Police Department at 610-253-5844.

Police Looking for Man Who Robbed Palmer Restaurant

An Asian restaurant was robbed Saturday evening in Palmer Township, and police are actively looking for the suspect.

Police say on Saturday, January 4 shortly after 7 p.m., a man walked into the New Imperial Chinese Cuisine and Sushi Bar located in the William Penn Plaza at 3059 William Penn Highway approached an employee at the check-out counter with his hand in his pocket acting like he had a gun. The robber then demanded the money from the register, which he was given and then fled on foot to the back of the shopping plaza on the north side.

The robber may have left the shopping plaza in a "newer-looking" silver or light colored mini-van with chrome wheels, possibly a Chrysler Town and County mini-van. The vehicle was  parked behind the shopping center plaza on the northwest corner, police said.

The suspect is described as being a thin white male, about 5-feet-8-inches to 5-feet-10-inches tall, wearing black clothing and a black cap. He was also wearing a mask covering his nose and mouth at the time of the robbery, police said.

It is undetermined how much cash was taken, authorities added.

Anyone with information about the robbery or suspect is asked to contact the Palmer Township Police Department at 610-253-5844.

Easton Police Searching for 'Armed and Dangerous' Robbery Suspects

Kajuan Knox
Contributed photo

The Easton Police Department Special Response Unit, along with members of the Palmer Township Police Department, raided a house in Palmer Township this morning, with a warrant for the arrest of a suspect in a robbery that took place this past weekend in Easton's South Side neighborhood, but instead of finding the man they were looking for, found a quantity of illegal drugs and weapons, authorities reported today.

Easton police say the warrant was obtained to search the residence at 3104 Vermont Ave. in Palmer Township looking for Kajuan Knox, 21, who is considered a suspect in an armed robbery that took place in the 300 block of Palmer Street in the city this past Sunday at about 11 p.m. The robber displayed a handgun during the incident, and the residence where the crime took place was specifically targeted, police added.

Alden Grange
Contributed photo

In addition to Knox, police had a warrant for the arrest of Alden Grange, 23, who is also considered a suspect in Sunday's robbery, they said, adding that they believe both are associated with the house in Palmer Township, though neither Knox nor Grange was found there during the police search this morning.

Grange spoke with EPD investigators after the house search, and then turned himself in to police at approximately 2 p.m. this afternoon, police said. He is reportedly being processed and is expected to be arraigned later today.

Three unidentified men and a woman were detained at the Vermont Street residence, and police say they saw illegal drugs within plain view. EPD Vice then obtained a second warrant to further search the premises, it was added.

While carrying out the search under the second warrant, two handguns with obliterated serial numbers were found, as well as undisclosed amounts of heroin and marijuana, police said.

Palmer police then took two people into custody who are expected to face charges related to the finds.

Easton police said they are continuing to search for Knox, who is believed to still be in the local area. They added he is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Updated at 3:44 p.m. to reflect that Alden Grange is in police custody.

Man Charged with Palmer Robbery Nabbed in Bethlehem

Palmer police report a man suspected of robbing the Comfort Inn at the 25th Street Shopping Center on Friday evening was apprehended in Bethlehem early on Saturday.

At approximately 7:15 p.m. Friday evening, police were dispatched to the hotel after a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt reportedly entered the lobby, walked up to the front desk and demanded money from the clerks while holding his arm underneath the front of his shirt, indicating he had some type of weapon, authorities say. The man was then given an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, they added.

Eric Share, 26, was taken into custody by Bethlehem Police at approximately 2:50 a.m. Saturday morning at his apartment on the 400 block of Keystone Avenue in the city and is being charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking, recklessly endangering another person, and making terroristic threats. Palmer police said Share was identified from having rented rooms at the Comfort Inn in the past.

Share has reportedly been arraigned on the charges and was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Two Men Charged in Palmer Jewelry Store Heist

Two men have been charged with a number of crimes in connection with a robbery that occurred at the Beverly Palm Jewelers store in the early morning hours of October 6, 2012, the Palmer Township Police Department announced today.

Ryan John Wiley, 23, of Doylestown, is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, possessing instruments of crime, criminal mischief, and criminal conspiracy.

Phillip Anthony Prokop, 38, of North Wales, is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, possessing instruments of crime, criminal mischief, and receiving stolen property.

Police say Wiley acted as a customer the day before the heist, and returned with Prokop early the next day, smashing the jewelry cases and removing numerous items of jewelry. Wiley and Prokop allegedly planned the burglary together with Prokop being the driver.

Both were arraigned in Bucks County District Court before Judge Jean Seaman, who set bail at $500,000 for each of the men.

Both are currently incarcerated in Bucks County Prison for numerous similar jewelry store
burglaries in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and the charges brought by the Palmer Township Police Department against Wiley and Prokop have been transferred to Bucks County, authorities added.

Investigation by Newtown Township Police Department and authorities in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, lead to the arrests, Palmer police said.

Man Charged for Taking Money, Failing to Deliver Computer Equipment to Palmer Police

Charlie Sandt Jr. was charged with various charges after he allegedly took payment of nearly $24,000 for contracted computer services to the Palmer Township Police Department and failed to deliver, police report.

Palmer police say Sandt provided computer technical support and equipment services to the Palmer Township Police Department from January 2007 through October 2009 through Computer Innovations LLC.

On August 10, 2009,  Sandt was issued a check for $23,921.75 by the department, which was cashed, for the purchase of five Dell laptop computers and software for installation in police vehicles, but they were never delivered, according to a press release issued by the department.

Sandt was charged with theft by required disposition of funds, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property, all third degree felonies. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner, who set bail at $25,000 with a 10 percent option.

However, Sandt is currently being held Northampton County Prison on charges previously filed by the Palmer Township Police Department on an unrelated investigation.

Palmer Heroin Raid Leads to Arrests

Palmer police report they, along with members of the Easton Police Department and the Northampton County Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at a home located at 98  Jonathan Drive in the township at about 6 a.m. this morning, simultaneously with a related search in the City of Easton.

The raid was the result of an ongoing investigation into an alleged heroin distribution ring that authorities believed was operating at the house, and a search of the residence recovered undisclosed amounts of heroin and cash, as well as "numerous items of drug paraphernalia", according to a media release issued by Palmer police.

All three residents of the home were taken into custody at the scene and detained, authorities report, but their names were not released, with police citing a still-ongoing investigation.

Possible charges that may be filed against them are yet to be determined, said Palmer Detective James Alercia.

The Easton Police Emergency Response Team, Forks Township Police Department, and Suburban Emergency Medical Services Regional Tactical Team also assisted at the scene, police said.

Updated at 3:43 p.m.

Four Suspected Gang Members Arrested in Raid - Heroin, Cash, Gun Seized

Four people were arrested in a raid in Easton's West Ward early Friday morning that police say netted approximately $1,700 worth of heroin, $6,382 in cash, .38 caliber handgun with the serial number obliterated, and Bloods gang paraphernalia.

At approximately 6 a.m., the Easton Police Vice/Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 213 North 8th St., where they found Anthony Thomas, 24, Andry Deloach, 22, Nicholas Alleyne, 22, and Danny Manning, 25, inside attempting to hide from police, according to a media release.

The raid was the result of an ongoing investigation into an alleged heroin distribution ring in the West Ward area of the city, police said, adding that all four suspects are originally from the Plainfield, NJ area and are suspected Bloods gang members.

Police report all four were arrested and are expected to be arraigned later today on the following charges:

• possession with intent to distribute heroin
• manufacturing of heroin
• criminal conspiracy
• possession of drug parahernalia.

Thomas will additionally be charged with being a former felon not to permitted to possess a handgun and possession of a handgun with an obliterated manufacturer’s serial number, Easton police said, adding that the department also had a prior arrest warrant for delivery of heroin for Thomas and that he is a "confirmed" Bloods gang member.

The residence on North 8th Street is listed as being owned by Magaly Ugarte, of the same address, according to online county property records.

All four suspects were arraigned early Friday afternoon in front of Senior District Magistrate James Stocklas and committed to Northampton County prison after failing to post bail, set at a straight $35,000 for three of the defendents, and at a straight $85,000 for Thomas due to the weapons charges.

In conjunction with this morning's raid, the EPD Special Response Unit also assisted the Northampton County Drug Task Force in executing a narcotics search warrant at 98 Jonathan Drive in Palmer Township, which was served simultaneously, the media release said.
Updated at 2:32 p.m. to add arraignment and bail amount details, and again at 3:45 p.m. to add a link to the details of the second raid in Palmer.

Palmer Man Charged with Soliciting 10-Year-Old Girl for Sex

Pierre Gonzalez, 50, was arrested and charged with various offenses Friday morning after he allegedly solicited a 10-year-old girl to have sex with him while communicating with her on the Internet, Palmer Police report.

A criminal complaint filed by Sergeant Timothy Ruoff alleges Gonzalez exposed himself in the girl’s presence and that Gonzalez used his Facebook account to solicit and receive nude photos of the victim. The complaint also alleges Gonzalez describe explicit sex acts to the victim and encouraged the victim to have sex with him.

Police said the victim is a local resident who Gonazalez already knew before contacting her via Facebook. Police became involved in the matter when a family member contacted authorities after becoming aware of the photos, they added.

A search warrant was executed at the Gonzalez residence in which investigatory evidence was seized, and Gonzalez was taken into custody at approximately 10 a.m., police said.

Gonzalez has been charged with criminal solicitation (rape of a child), criminal solicitation (deviate sexual intercourse), sexual abuse of children, corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility, indecent exposure, and unlawful contact with a minor.

He was arraigned before District Judge Jackie Taschner Friday afternoon and committed to Northampton County Prison on $100,000 secured bail.

Updated on Tuesday, March 12 at 2:09 a.m.