Police: Councilman Hoped to Protect Legion from Officer's Prying Eyes

Larry Stoudt, 74, is facing one misdemeanor count of attempted obstruction after allegedly asking Nazareth's police chief to check the driver's license of a suspected liquor enforcement officer.

When Larry Stoudt asked Nazareth's police chief to run the driver's license of a suspected liquor enforcement officer, court records say, his goal was to protect the local American Legion post from undercover, prying eyes. Stoudt, 74, the vice president of Nazareth Borough Council, was charged Tuesday with one misdemeanor count of criminal attempt-obstruction of law or government. According to a police criminal complaint, Stoudt approached police Chief Thomas Trachta with his request at Nazareth Borough Police Department headquarters on May 24, exactly one month after the Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Enforcement Office executed a search warrant on the Nazareth Jacksonian Club. That raid, according to court records, netted illegal …

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State Police: Councilman Larry Stoudt Attempted to Obstruct Investigation

Larry Stoudt, 74, is accused of attempting to obstruct a Pennsylvania State Police investigation into possible violations at a private social club in Nazareth.

Nazareth Councilman Accused of Attempting to Obstruct a Police Investigation

Larry Stoudt, 74, is accused of attempting to obstruct a Pennsylvania State Police investigation into possible violations at a private social club in Nazareth.

Larry Stoudt, the vice president of Nazareth Borough Council, is facing charges after allegedly attempting to obstruct a Pennsylvania State Police undercover investigation, according to a press release issued Friday morning. The Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Enforcement Office was conducting an investigation into possible violations at a private social club in Nazareth. The club was not named. According to the press release, an undercover officer obtained membership into the club using a fake driver's license, a photocopy of which is kept on file at the club. Shortly after, a search warrant was executed at the social club. Stoudt, 74, then headed to the Nazareth Borough Police Department with the photocopied driver's license in hand, …

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Vandalism, Disorderly Conduct Top Nazareth's Monthly Police Report

A total of 40 crimes were reported and investigated in Nazareth during July 2012, including 15 vandalism incidents and 7 disorderly conduct citations.

A total of 40 crimes were reported and investigated in Nazareth during July 2012, according to Borough Council’s monthly police report. The 40 crimes are as follows: Traffic violations are as follows: A total of $7,266.30 in fines were collected from:

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Resident: Where was Nazareth During 'Active Shooter' Training?

Nazareth resident voices concern over Nazareth Borough Police Department's absence at 'Active Shooter' training last week at Nazareth Area Intermediate School.

After reading an article on Nazareth Patch that detailed an "Active Shooter" training at Nazareth Area Intermediate School, Becky Butz said she "couldn't believe" the Nazareth Borough Police Department didn't participate. "Why didn’t we have any representation from our department?" the borough resident asked Thursday night at Nazareth Borough Council's workshop. Dan Chiavaroli, president of council, said he wondered the same thing. "I didn't have a chance to ask yet," Chiavaroli added amid murmurs of agreement from around council chambers. The answer would have to wait while Police Chief Thomas Trachta tended to a closed hearing downstairs. After the workshop, however, Trachta explained to Patch that all of Nazareth's full-time and day-…

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Dog Rescued from Hot Car at Boro-Park, Teen to be Cited

Despite an official high of 90 degrees Thursday, Jeremy Longo of Stockertown allegedly said the removal of the dog from his vehicle was "ridiculous."

A Stockertown teen will be cited for animal cruelty and disorderly conduct after he allegedly left a dog unattended inside his car Thursday at Nazareth Boro-Park, according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta. The car's internal temperature reached over 100 degrees, Trachta estimated in an incident investigation report. Summer's second heat wave arrived Thursday as the official high temperature at Lehigh Valley International Airport hit 90. According to Trachta, the car was situated in direct sunlight and the front two windows were cracked about two inches. Jeremy Longo, 18, who was at the skate park when police arrived, will also be cited for disorderly conduct because he allegedly became uncooperative and attempted to leave with the dog, …

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Council Says 'No' to Cable for Nazareth Police

For the second time, Nazareth Borough Council has denied a motion to reconnect the cable to a television in the Nazareth Borough Police Department headquarters.

Nazareth Borough Council denied a motion Monday night to reconnect the cable to a television in the Nazareth Borough Police Department headquarters on S. Main Street. Councilman Charles Donello, who is a member of council's Police Committee, made the motion to reconnect, which received three "yes" votes. In addition to Donello, Michael Kopach and Cynthia Werner voted "yes." That left six "no" votes, and the motion failed. Council denied the same motion made on Feb. 6. Do you agree with Nazareth Borough Council's vote? Tell us in the comment section below. The donated television in the police department's headquarters has been a sore subject in Nazareth Borough Council Chambers ever since a Highway Department employee was instructed by …

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Police Chief: Nazareth Police Department 'Running Out of Favors'

Nazareth is relying too heavily on part-time officers, according to the borough's police chief, and neighboring municipalities are fed up with filling in the gaps in coverage.

The Nazareth Borough Police Department is relying heavily on part-time officers. That’s a problem, according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta.  During Monday night’s Police Committee meeting, Trachta said part-time officers are not reliable because of other obligations and full-time jobs. And, he added, if given the choice to work for Nazareth or another municipality -- many officers work for multiple departments -- on any given night, the officers will choose the other municipality. “We’re barely hanging on,” Trachta told the three committee members and Mayor Fred Daugherty Jr. “The borough has been dragging its feet for far too long. Hiring more part-time officers is not the answer. Running the department at 50 percent and hoping for the …

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Shots Reportedly Fired in Nazareth, Victim Sought

Blood was found in the area where shots were reportedly fired in Nazareth, but no victim has come forward; police are asking for the public's help.

Nazareth police responded to reports of shots fired shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday in the area of S. Spruce and E. Evergreen streets. Police, however, are asking for the public's help in locating any victims. Two individuals were taken into custody, but they were not charged, according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta. Blood was found in the area, Trachta said, but there has been no other sign of a victim -- or victims. Trachta asks anyone who may have information or may have been in the area to call (610) 759-9575 or (610) 759-2200.

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Police: Nazareth High Student Assaulted at Borough Playground

Nazareth police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the Wednesday assault on a Nazareth Area High School student to call (610) 759-9575 or (610) 759-2200.

Nazareth police are seeking the public's help in identifying a group of teenagers who assaulted a Nazareth Area High School student around 5:10 p.m. Wednesday at the Kiwanis Playground. The victim, who was not identified by police because he is a juvenile, was knocked to the ground and sustained injuries to his face and mouth. He is not cooperating with police, according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta. Three alleged suspects -- one claims to be a member of the Bloods, a street gang -- were apprehended, but have not been charged in the assault. They were found in possession of alleged marijuana, a large sum of cash and knives. Trachta said no weapons were displayed during the assault. Anyone who witnessed the assault or may have been in the…

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