Thursday, November 17, 2011

Bushkill Township man admits gun trade, theft spree, police say

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

An 18-year-old Bushkill Township man recently charged with a restaurant burglary also traded a stolen handgun for heroin, according to police.

Joseph Leo Bartynski, of the 1200 block of Keller Road, also allegedly admitted a two-year theft spree that supported his drug habit.

According to police, Bartynski stole a .32-caliber semi-automatic Beretta from his dad, who discovered it missing Oct. 6. Police said the son traded it to an unnamed drug dealer for 20 to 80 bundles of heroin.

Bartynski allegedly admitted the gun theft during a police interview at Northampton County Prison, where he was committed after accusations he broke into and robbed J&R Smokehouse in Plainfield Township.

He had been found wearing all black at 1 a.m. Oct. 6 at Sullivan Trail and Route 512 in Plainfield, carrying allegedly stolen items, a flashlight and papers from the restaurant in a backpack.

In the prison interview, police said, Bartynski also admitted stealing from vehicles in Bushkill Township. Police had been investigating 10 thefts from vehicles that netted $4,015 in property and cash, plus credit cards.

Bartynski is also accused of a theft from a truck in Bethlehem.

He was arraigned on the alleged gun theft and burglary spree Tuesday.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/11/bushkill_township_man_admits_g.html

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