Crime News

Heiress Linny Fowler Scammed Out of $1 Million, DA Says

Allentown man and woman told philanthropist Linny Fowler they needed money for a sick child, but spent her money instead on clothing, travel and gambling, DA John Morganelli says.

  Marlene “Linny” Fowler was well-known in the Lehigh Valley for her generosity, giving millions of dollars away to institutions, causes and individuals she thought needed the money. But according to a Northampton County grand jury, two Allentown residents who got more than $1.2 million of the late UPS heiress’ money were taking advantage of her generous spirit. On Friday, Shawnta Equana Carmon, 32, of 27 West St., and Hassan Rahman Carmon, 34, of 848 N. 16th St., were each arraigned on four felony theft counts. Both were committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail. Shawnta Carmon took more than $1.15 million from Fowler during a four-and-a-half-year period that started in January 2008 and ended in August, according to …

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Woman Stole $4,700 in Pills from CVS, Police Say

South Whitehall Police arrested a woman who allegedly stole medicine from the CVS pharmacy on Tilghman Street in South Whitehall.

  A 32-year-old Allentown woman has been charged with stealing Xanax and other pills from the CVS pharmacy on Tilghman Street in South Whitehall, police said. Melissa J. Kerr, 32, of 114 N. Franklin St., Allentown had been detained by a CVS loss prevention manager until South Whitehall police arrived at 1:19 p.m. on Jan. 7, according to court records. The loss prevention manager told police that Kerr allegedly stole 180 Xanax pills Xr3; 100 phentermine; 45 strips of Suboxone; 120 Xanax Xr2; 60 Adderall pills; 30 valium pills; and 30 Provigil pills. According to court records, Kerr admitted to the thefts. She said she planned to sell the medicine to get money to pay bills and buy groceries, police said. She also stole a $63 refund cash card…

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ATM Card Stolen, Hidden in Man's Shoe, Cops Say

A 32-year-old accused of stealing friend's card. Arrests do not indicate a conviction.

A Coplay man has been accused of stealing his friend's ATM card and trying to withdraw $100 at three different locations before hiding the card in his shoe, according to court records. Ryan Joseph Gaston, 32, of 1113 Poplar St., was charged with unlawful taking as he used the card with no intent to restore it to the owner, knowing such property was stolen or believing it had probably been stolen. On Jan. 28 at 11:19 a.m., South Whitehall police received a call from a woman who said her friend, Gaston, took her debit card and ATM card and used them without her permission. This incident occurred at the Quality Inn, 1715 Plaza Lane. Gaston was taken into custody and his identity confirmed by his Pennsylvania driver’s license. The owner of the…

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Coin Collection Stolen, Other Incidents Reported

The following information was supplied by the South Whitehall police department.

According to South Whitehall police, these were among the incidents that occurred in the township from Dec. 24 to Dec. 30. Theft: Reported 11:30 a.m. Dec. 29, someone took a coin collection from 318 S. 34th Street.  Reported 6:20 p.m. Dec. 27, a purse -- containing $60 cash, credit cards, ID and checks -- was stolen from a shopping cart at Target at 1600 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Fraud Charges: Reported 6:52 p.m. Dec. 24; Rodney Brown, 46, of Woodside, N.Y. and Jamie Evans, 36, Brooklyn, N.Y. face charges of credit card fraud from an alleged incident at Target.   Theft from vehicle:  Reported 10:59 a.m. Dec. 28, a wallet containing credit cards was taken from a vehicle parked at 2982 Mauch Chunk Road. Reported 10:02 a.m. Dec. 29, a vehicle …

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