Crime & Safety

Court Papers: Former Employee Broke Into Business

According to court papers filed by Lower Saucon Township Police, Nathan T. Diehl, 34, of 1747 Railroad Lane, broke into the Meadows Banquet Hall early Saturday and stole money.

Surveillance video at the in Lower Saucon shows a former employee breaking in to the business through the kitchen door early Saturday and taking food and money, court papers say.

According to the papers, Nathan T. Diehl, 34, broke into his former workplace despite being told “in person” by the owner to stay off the property.

Diehl was arraigned early Tuesday on various charges, including burglary and criminal trespass--both felonies.

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Diehl’s address, 1747 Railroad Lane in Lower Saucon, is near the banquet hall at 1770 Meadows Road.

According to a criminal complaint filed by township Patrolman John Bowlby:

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--Bowlby was dispatched around noon Saturday for a theft at the Meadows. He spoke to owner Russell Lebkuecher, who said he had surveillance video of the suspected thief--his former employee Diehl.

--Lebkuecher said he had told Diehl he did not want him on the property. The complaint does not explain why Diehl no longer worked at the Meadows.

--Bowlby watched video taken between 2:34am and 3am Saturday that allegedly showed Diehl entering through the kitchen door and going to the office, where he took various items, including “currency” and food. The complaint does not say how much money Diehl allegedly took.

In addition to burglary and criminal trespass, Diehl was charged with defiant trespass, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

He was arraigned by District Judge Douglas Schlegel of Wind Gap and committed to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $30,000 bail.

from , 7 Main St.

Diehl will receive a summons for retail theft, borough police said.


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