Crime & Safety

Stolen Goods Traded for Bundle of Heroin, Police Say

Michael Litchfield, 24, of Nazareth allegedly scored a bundle of heroin by trading a stolen laptop, Xbox and camera.

A Nazareth man has been charged with trading stolen electronics for a bundle of heroin, according to borough police. 

Michael Litchfield, 24, was arraigned Wednesday night in front of District Judge James Narlesky of Hanover Township (Northampton County) and charged with burglary, theft by unlawful taking, criminal trespass-break into structure, criminal trespass-simple trespasser and criminal mischief.

On Jan. 22, according to a criminal complaint, Officer Daniel Troxell began investigating the burglary of a home on the 300 block of E. Prospect Street. A laptop, Xbox, camera, jewelry box and multiple pieces of jewelry were stolen, according to the home’s owner, Cynthia Kelleher. 

Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The burglar had broken a window to gain access to the home, police say.

Kelleher told police she suspected her niece’s ex-boyfriend, Michael Litchfield, who used to live in the residence. 

Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Litchfield denied the allegations, police say.

A two-week investigation drew to a close when Troxell received a written statement from Litchfield’s sister, Tiffany Litchfield, who was arrested at gunpoint in February 2012 in Easton. In an August 2012 case, she was accused of charging $220 to a “family friend’s” debit/credit card without permission. 

Tiffany Litchfield explained to police that her brother asked her and a friend to drive him to his ex-girlfriend’s home on E. Prospect Street. He wanted to retrieve some of his property, according to Tiffany Litchfield’s statement.

Michael Litchfield instructed his sister to park across the street from the home. When he returned to his sister’s car, police say, he had a laptop, Xbox and camera in tow. The Litchfield siblings then went to Allentown, per Michael Litchfield's request, to sell the items at a pawn shop, police said.

According to police, Michael Litchfield met with two Hispanic males who were in front of the pawn shop and instead traded the electronics for a bundle of heroin.

It is unclear if the stolen jewelry was also involved in the transaction.

Michael Litchfield remains in Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight bail.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.