Teen Stole, Sold Gun; Buyer in Jail, Police Say

A South Bethlehem man was arrested for buying a stolen pistol from a 14-year-old boy accused of stealing three guns and ammunition from an Amplex Street home in a Monday burglary, according to court papers and Bethlehem police.

Miguel A. Torres, 27, of 218 Hobart St., was charged with two felonies for buying a stolen weapon. The 14-year-old, who was not identified because of his age, is also facing multiple charges, police said.

The burglary of the home on Amplex Street occurred while the victim was at work, police said. Stolen were a 9mm handgun with magazine and bullets, a .22-caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, court papers said.

The teenager was arrested on Tuesday, after he sold at least one of the weapons—the .22-caliber pistol.

According to court papers, the boy approached Torres on Railroad Street, not far from his home, and asked him if he wanted to buy the pistol. During the conversation, the teenager told Torres that the weapon had been stolen, police said.

Torres agreed to buy the gun for $100, took possession of it on Railroad Street, concealed the weapon in his pants and walked a block back to his home, police said. The affidavit of probable cause points out that Torres does not have a Pennsylvania permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Police obtained a search warrant and found the gun in the basement of Torres’ home on Wednesday, the affidavit says.

Torres told police that he bought the gun, knowing it was stolen, to protect himself, police said.

Torres was charged with receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license. He was arraigned before District Judge Nancy Matos-Gonzalez and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $40,000 bail.

The teen has been charged with burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, possession of firearms by a minor and carrying a firearm without a license, police said.