Police: Property Line Dispute Leads to Pushing, Baseball Bat Threat

A man threatened to “bash” his neighbor’s head with a metal baseball bat if he didn’t get off his property, according to court papers filed by township police.

Ronald Clayton Pendleton, 46, of 432 Old Allentown Road, was charged with terroristic threats, simple assault – attempt by menace, harassment and disorderly conduct as a result of the incident between unfriendly neighbors at a little before 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

The victim, John Katakis of 444 Old Allentown Road, told police that he was making a video recording of the boundary between his property and Pendleton’s because of an ongoing dispute when his neighbor came out of his house brandishing the bat and yelling at him.

“Get off my property or I will bash your head,” Pendleton allegedly yelled at Katakis. The arresting officer was able to hear that on a video that Katakis recorded when the alleged assault occurred, court papers say.

The warrant also alleges that Pendleton pushed Katakis to the ground. Pendleton acknowledged to police that he did grab Katakis to get him off of his property, but that the alleged victim fell, the affidavit says.

When police arrived at Katakis’ home, he was on his porch and out of breath. He requested medical attention because of a “heart condition,” the affidavit says. He was taken to St. Luke’s University Hospital for treatment, though the affidavit did not specify which campus.

Pendleton was arraigned before on-duty District Judge Roy Manwaring of Bethlehem and committed to Northampton County Prison after he failed to post $10,000 bail.