Man Wanted on Warrant Arrested in L. Saucon

A northeastern Pennsylvania man wanted by Northampton County authorities on a bench warrant was arrested after he allegedly tried to conceal his identity from police in Lower Saucon Township last month.

According to township police, Richard Thomas Shinski, of Effort, Monroe County, was taken into custody Nov. 12 after he “provided a wrong name and date of birth to officers conducting an investigation while on a medical call.”

Police said that after they learned his true identity, they discovered that Shinski was wanted by both the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the Bethlehem Township Police Department.

According to Northampton County court records, the warrant issued by the sheriff’s office stemmed from charges filed by Palmer Township Police in March. In addition to two Felony 3 counts of Theft of a Catalytic Converter, he is also facing a Misdemeanor 1 charge of Possessing an Instrument of Crime with Intent in that case.

In the Bethlehem Township case, per court records, Shinski was charged with theft and receiving stolen property–both misdemeanors–in June.

In Lower Saucon Township, he is now facing a misdemeanor charge of providing false identification to law enforcement.

Following an arraignment before District Judge Alan Mege Nov. 12, Shinski was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $20,000 straight bail.

According to his case docket, as of Dec. 3 he was still being held at the prison.

Shinski–who turns 38 on Wednesday–is being represented by public defender Theodore Skaarup, according to the docket.

His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton.

Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty. This story was compiled using information provided by the Lower Saucon Township Police Department and Northampton County court records.