Six people were arrested Tuesday when Allentown police raided a city home and seized 11 firearms, according to a news release from the department.
Anthony George Fata, 22, of Allentown, is charged with being a person not to possess a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm without a license, both felonies, in addition to misdemeanors in Tuesday’s incident.
Fata had active warrants stemming from a June 3 incident, when he allegedly pointed a handgun at a victim and threatened them.
Fata was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge David M. Howells Jr. and sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Court records did not immediately show any attorney information for Fata.
City police Capt. Daniel Gross Jr. said an officer spotted Fata shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday standing in front of a home in the 200 block of North Eighth Street. Fata then allegedly ran inside and hid.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and entered the residence. Seized in the raid were six handguns; a shotgun; two assault-style rifles; a rifle; and a submachine-style gun, as well as several magazines and various ammunition, city police said.
Allentown police said they made five more arrests after officers were threatened and assaulted when acquaintances of Fata crossed into the investigative scene.
Several people attempted to obstruct police officers while they were working to apprehend Fata, Gross said.
The following additional people face charges in Tuesday’s incident, according to a news release from the police department:
Stephen Joel Spencer Gnyp, 36, and Jelani Lamont Noble, 26, both of Allentown, are charged with felony aggravated assault on police; felony riot; misdemeanor resisting arrest; misdemeanor obstruction administration of law; and related misdemeanors. Two juvenile males from Allentown, ages 16 and 17, face charges including felony aggravated assault on police.A 23-year-old from Allentown is charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Spencer Gnyp and Noble were arraigned Wednesday before Howells, who jailed both on$75,000 bail.
Court records did not immediately show any attorney information for Spencer Gnyp or Noble.
Fata; Spencer Gnyp; and Noble face preliminary hearings tentatively scheduled July 1. A district judge will then determine if there’s sufficient evidence to send the case toward trial at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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