Shoeless suspect fleeing across rooftops is 1 of 2 arrested in Bethlehem drug raid, cops say

Bethlehem police seized the deadly painkiller fentanyl and made two arrests while serving a search warrant before sunrise Friday on South Side, the department said in a news release.

One of the suspects, 38-year-old Christian Figueroa, fled out a third-floor window as the Bethlehem Police Department Emergency Response Team arrived about 6 a.m. at his 532 Hayes St. home to serve the warrant, along with officers from the department’s Special Operations Unit, according to the release.

Figueroa fled across at least four adjoining rooftops before police took him into custody and removed him from the roof, police said.

“Figueroa stated to the arresting officers that he had gone out on the roof prior to police arrival to make repairs,” the release says. “Figueroa was shoeless when taken into custody.”

Detectives climbed out to where Figueroa was located and found a bag containing 160 smaller bags of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, plus one larger bag containing additional fentanyl, police said; officers found more of the small bags and three Carisoprodol muscle relaxant pills in Figueroa’s bedroom.

While searching the home, officers found additional small bags used to package fentanyl in the bedroom of resident Mariangly Gonzalez, also 38, according to the release. She also had in her room a FedEx package containing a cellphone that had been stolen Thursday from a nearby porch, police said.

Drug raid in Bethlehem hits familiar house, 2 taken into custody, police say

This is the second time in a month police have raided that address for illegal drug trafficking, and the third time in the past eight months, according to the release from police Chief Mark DiLuzio and investigations Lt. Ben Hackett.

“The success of this investigation was due largely to the assistance from the community,” they say in the release, adding that sales of heroin, fentanyl and related drugs are a high priority for the department. “The Bethlehem Police Department welcomes and appreciates any and all assistance from community members as we strive to rid the city of illegal narcotics and related crimes.”

Figueroa and Gonzalez were both charged with felony conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to deliver, in addition to misdemeanor drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gonzalez was also charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

They were arraigned before District Judge Alan Mege and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail for Figueroa and $150,000 bail for Gonzalez. Preliminary hearings will be scheduled before District Judge Nicholas Englesson.

Bethlehem police ask anyone with information on drug activity or any other crime to call their tip line at 610-691-6660 or the Bethlehem Police Department 911 Center non-emergency line at 610-865-7187. Callers may remain anonymous.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.