Borough Man Allegedly Damages Police Holding Cell

A Hellertown man described by police as "visibly under the influence of alcohol" is accused of loud and violent behavior one night last week that allegedly included threatening to kill a police officer and destroying property at the .

According to court records, the actions of Eric D. Beitz, 27, started at around 9:30pm Dec. 21, both inside and outside , 1214 Main St. Beitz allegedly harassed, cursed at and tried to pick fights with patrons.

Records indicate that Beitz's destructive behavior continued at the borough police station, where he allegedly smashed an interview room microphone on the floor and broke a wooden bench bolted down in a holding cell, throwing it into the cell wall.

When he repeatedly yelled that he was going to kill himself, police had Beitz committed to St. Luke's Hospital for a mental evaluation, the records say.

Police estimated the loss of the microphone at $100 and the damage to the holding cell bench at about $200.

Beitz, of 1400 Detweiler Ave., was arraigned Tuesday night by on-duty District Judge Jackie Taschner of Palmer Township on charges of terroristic threats, institutional vandalism, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

He was taken to Northampton County Prison after failing to post 10 percent of $10,000 bail.