Police: Man Forces Way into Bushkill Township Home, Violates PFA

A man is accused of entering his wife’s Bushkill Township home Thursday afternoon in violation of a protection-from-abuse order and attempting to assault his sister-in-law’s boyfriend, who hid in some farm equipment until the suspect left.

The wife of Joseph Ehrie, 30, told police he entered the home in the 700 block of Bushkill Drive in violation of the PFA, which she obtained because of “past violent domestic issues,” according to court records.

She said Ehrie was at the house to pick up their children for visitation. Around 3 p.m., he opened the front door, pushed past her and attempted to assault her sister’s boyfriend. The boyfriend ran out of the house and went down Bushkill Drive with Ehrie following him in his car, the wife told police.

The boyfriend, meanwhile, told police that Ehrie came into the house after him, stating “come here, boy.” The boyfriend said he ran out the back door and up the road, fearing Ehrie wanted to assault him. He said Ehrie got in his car in an attempt to find him, but he hid in some farm equipment until Ehrie’s wife told him Ehrie was gone. The records also say the boyfriend “hid in a bush down the road.”

Ehrie, whose address is listed as 1140 Spruce St., Easton, was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, harassment and probable cause/domestic violence. He was arraigned by on-duty District Judge Robert Hawke of Lehigh Township and committed to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $8.000 bail.