Center Valley Man Tells Mom: 'I Might as Well Kill You Now'

A Center Valley man accused of assaulting his mother allegedly made threats against her life.

According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a Center Valley home Aug. 8 after reports of an assault. When police arrived, they found a woman, later identified as the mother of suspect Richard Alan Ankele. The woman told police she was attacked by Ankele and complained of pain as well as a head injury.

Ankele's mother told police that an argument prompted the physical attack. During the attack, Ankele stated, "I might as well kill you right now," grabbed her and hit her head against a wall.

Ankele had a preliminary hearing Monday, and charges of simple assault, harassment and terroristic threats were held for Lehigh County Court action, according to online court records.

Ankele has a long history of run-ins with the law, with online court records showing almost a dozen criminal cases, including several assault charges, dating back to 1997.

He has been held in Lehigh County Prison on $10,000 bail.