Bethlehem Police Department, Bethlehem, PA

Mayor Announces Police Promotions Mayor Bob Donchez announced today the following promotions in the City of Bethlehem Police Department. Rodney Bronson has been promoted to the rank of Captain. His last held assignment was Lieutenant of the Community Services Division. He has served the Department since 2000. Through this time, he has filled various roles in the Patrol Division from officer to lieutenant. He served as a Community Police Officer in the Bethlehem Housi...ng Authority unit and served as a School Resource Officer assigned to Liberty High School. We are confident that his strong background in Community Policing will serve the department well in his new role as Captain of the Patrol Division. Michael Leaser has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. His last held assignment was Sergeant assigned to the Mounted Unit. In addition to that role, Lieutenant Leaser is an Assistant Team Leader on the Department’s Emergency Response Team. He has served the Department since 2004. Sergeant Leaser was an integral part to the development and success of the Department’s mounted unit when it was re-established a little over a decade ago. The relationships and outreach conducted with the mounted unit will serve Lieutenant Leaser well in his new assignment as Lieutenant of the Community Services Division. Eric Yeakel has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His last held assignment was Training Officer in the Professional Standards Division. In addition to that role, Sergeant Yeakel is a Marksman Team Leader on the Department’s Emergency Response Team. He has served the Department since 2001. Sergeant Yeakel’s robust background in teaching subjects such as use of force, de-escalation, report writing, and department policy during his assignment in the Professional Standards Division will serve him well as a first line supervisor. In his new role as Patrol Sergeant with the 4th Platoon, he will interact with officers on a daily basis assisting officers not only as their direct supervisor but as a teacher guiding them through their investigations and calls for service. Congratulations gentlemen!!!!

Accident Investigation On Friday October 23, 2020 at 2047 hours a 55 year old male was operating a gas powered bicycle on the South Bethlehem Greenway in the area of Traveler Avenue when he collided with a tree. The male sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. The crash is currently under investigation by the City of Bethlehem Police Department’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team and the Northampton County Coroner’s Office. If anyone has information regarding the collision please contact Officer Matthew Vanic at 610-865-7000.

Take Back Day: Saturday, October 24, 2020 10:00am 2:00pm The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. So help keep your community stay safe by cleaning out your medicine cabinet and taking back expired, unused, or unwanted meds for safe disposal! The Bethlehem Police Department will be operating ...a collection site from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Westgate Mall, which is located at 2285 Schoenersville Road Bethlehem, PA 18017. The site will be set up just inside of the mall entrance nearest the Subway restaurant. Other collection sites can be found at www.DEATakeBack.com. #TakeBackDay

Meet Casper, our newest officer!

Members of the Community Advisory Board received a presentation tonight on the Handle With Care program, which helps enhance police-school communication to better support students exposed to traumatic events and support the implementation of trauma informed school practices. Interested in learning more about the program and BPD’s involvement? Register for the free Handle With Care informational webinar on October 28, 2020 from 4pm to 6pm. http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event

UPDATE: Ortiz Montoza is in Police custody 7 October 2020... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Arrests made/Suspect sought in Pembroke Housing area shooting The Bethlehem Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for Luis Daniel Ortiz Montoza, also known as Luis Ortiz, for Attempted Homicide, Weapons Violations and related charges for the shooting of two men on 30 September 2020 in the 1200 block of Dover Ln in the City’s Pembroke-Marvine Housing Area. Ortiz Montoza’s last known address was on West Frankford St in Bethlehem. The firearm used in the commission of this crime has yet to be recovered and may still be possessed by Ortiz Montoza. Ortiz Montoza is a 21 year old Hispanic male who stands approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and is said to have a medium to muscular build. Anyone with any information about where Luis Daniel Ortiz Montoza may be is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Callers with any additional information about this case, including audio or video from private video recording systems, are strongly urged to call Det/Sgt Moses Miller at (610) 997-7674 or our tip line at (610) 691-6660 and as always, callers may remain anonymous.

Arrests made in South Bethlehem Homicide The Bethlehem Police Department announces the arrest of three suspects in the fatal shooting of a Whitehall man on Tuesday evening in South Bethlehem. Gabriel Ramos, 18 years old, of Lehighton PA, was charged and arraigned Wednesday 30 September 2020 along with 2 juveniles. Ramos is facing charges of Criminal Homicide, Conspiracy, Possessing instruments of a crime, Unlawful possession of a firearm, Robbery and Simple Assau...lt. The juveniles are both facing Homicide, Conspiracy and Robbery charges with one of them also facing an additional felony charge for Criminal use of a communications facility. All three were charged as adults and committed to Northampton County Prison without bail. Despite the three arrests, the Bethlehem Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident and welcomes contact from anyone who has information regarding the incident that took place near the residential area next to Saucon Park Tuesday evening. Callers with information, including audio or video from private video recording systems, are strongly urged to call our tip line at 610-691-6660 and as always, callers may remain anonymous.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 October 2020 CONTACT INFORMATION: Captain Ben Hackett... Criminal Investigations Division Bethlehem Police Department 10 East Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 610.997.7677 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Shooting in Pembroke Housing Area Shortly before 7 P.M. on 30 September 2020, two men were shot while sitting in a car in the 1200 block of Dover Ln in Bethlehem’s Pembroke Housing Area. Both men received medical attention and at this time both are expected to survive their injuries. Although Police are still investigating this incident, we do not believe there is an ongoing danger to the public. The suspect in this crime is described as a male with light colored skin. If anyone has any information about this crime or the identity of the suspect we urge you to contact Det. Ruvolo at 610 997-7676 or our tip line at 610 691-6660. This includes any privately owned surveillance that may have captured either audio or video of the crime or the surrounding area. Callers may remain anonymous.

Attention parents/caregivers We are hosting a FREE virtual car seat check on Saturday Sept 26th from 10-2. To register for this event please click the link: https://www.ubme.com/virtual-car-seat-check/ @PennDOTNews @NHTSAgov @safekids #keepkidssafe #carseats

ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The City of Bethlehem Police Department is investigating the attempted homicide of an 11 year old female and is seeking any video recordings showing the roadway or public sidewalks in the following areas between the hours of 9/9/2020 11:45 PM and 9/10/2020 2:30 AM: Pennsylvania Ave between Chatham Rd and Union Blvd... Eaton Ave between Pennsylvania Ave and Highland Ave Beverly Ave between Eaton Ave and Eastman Ave Ridgelawn Ave Eastman Ave Fireside Dr Andover Rd W Rosemont Dr Manchester Rd Amherst Rd Amherst Rd Fairland Ave Carol Ave Homestead Ave E Rosemont Dr Moffit Ave Raymond Ave We are asking that residents and businesses who have any type of video system in these areas contact us regardless of whether they believe their system has captured anything of value. If you have the ability to share the video electronically, please email a link to [email protected]. If you do not have the ability to share the video electronically, please contact the City of Bethlehem Public Safety Center at 610-865-7180 and we will have an officer come to your location to make a copy. As always, callers may remain anonymous.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 September 2020 CONTACT INFORMATION: Captain Ben Hackett... Criminal Investigations Division Bethlehem Police Department 10 East Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 610.997.7677 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Person of interest in sexual assault case sought The Bethlehem Police Department is attempting to locate 39 year old Jose Cruz as he is a person of interest in a sexual assault case being investigated by this Department. Cruz also has outstanding warrants for DUI and Assault. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Jose Cruz is strongly encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately or contact our Tip Line at 610 691-6660. Callers may remain anonymous.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 September 2020 CONTACT INFORMATION: Captain Ben Hackett... Criminal Investigations Division Bethlehem Police Department 10 East Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 610.997.7677 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: West Bethlehem Shooting Shortly before midnight on 9 September 2020, an 11 year old female was shot in the face when she answered a knock at the door of her home in the 1900 block of Fairland Ave in Bethlehem. The child victim is expected to recover from her injuries although she sustained significant facial trauma and is still undergoing treatment. We do not believe this to be a random act, although the victim was likely not the intended target. Although we are asking Bethlehem residents to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious sightings, we do not believe there is any increased danger to the public at large. The suspect in this crime is described as possibly male and may have been wearing a covering over their face. If anyone has any information about this crime or the identity of the suspect we urge you to contact Det. Ruvolo at 610 997-7676 or our tip line at 610 691-6660. Callers may remain anonymous.