Altered Inspection Sticker Found on SUV, Police Say

A suspended driver’s license. An expired registration with an altered license plate sticker. No insurance.

That’s what Bethlehem police found around noon Wednesday when they stopped a red 1999 Ford Explorer at E. Fourth Street and Lynn Avenue on the city's South Side, court records say.

Police then arrested the driver and the SUV’s registered owner, William Gabriel Bosques, 36, of the 2100 block of Snyder Avenue in the Steel City section of Lower Saucon Township, who was charged with numerous vehicle-related violations.

A criminal complaint filed by city officer Matthew Laxton says:

--After stopping the Explorer, Laxton did a computer check of the registration, which showed it had expired in July 2012.

--Bosques was unable to produce proof of insurance and said he did not have insurance.

--Bosques’ driver’s license was found to be suspended.

--The vehicle had a license plate validation sticker with an expiration date of January 2013--not July 2012. Bosques allegedly told Laxton that he altered the sticker several months ago because "it is easier to be pulled over" when the expiration date says July 2012.

Bosques was arraigned Wednesday afternoon by District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez of Bethlehem and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $750 bail.