Former Lehigh University student grabs Bethlehem cop's gun during arrest, court papers say
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A 21-year-old ex-Lehigh University student grabbed a Bethlehem police officer's gun during an arrest early Wednesday morning, according to court records.
Police say they were called at 12:18 a.m. to the 500 block of East Packer Avenue for reports of a group of people shouting. Police were notified by dispatch to look for a male identified as Jeremy Kaye, who was allegedly causing a problem, according to court records.
Police found 10 to 15 college students outside 511 E. Packer Ave. and were approached by resident Brian Aronson, according to court records. He told police Kaye, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was challenging other students to fight, court records indicate.
Police found the 21-year-old, who appeared very intoxicated and smelled of alcohol, and told him to leave, according to court records. But he refused, according to police.
"Don't (expletive) touch me," he allegedly slurred to officers.
Kaye, who was enrolled at the school last academic year, is accused of avoiding being handcuffed and then reaching for Patrolman William Audelo's firearm. Police say Kaye managed to grab the gun and flick off the safety mechanism before he was taken to the ground.
Kaye continued to struggle with police, flailing and kicking as he was taken into custody, according to court records. Police say he bit Patrolman Josh Hobson's knee during the arrest.
Kaye was arraigned before District Judge Diane Marakovits on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and disarming a law enforcement officer.
Lehigh University spokesman Jordan Reese said Kaye is not currently enrolled at the college.
He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail with a 10 percent option. Marci Kaye, of New Brunswick, posted the $1,000 today and Jeremy Kaye is out of jail, according to online records.
Police charged Kaye in 2011 with disorderly conduct involving fighting, court records say, but he was found not guilty in January 2012 after a summary trial in District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez's South Bethlehem court.
He was represented by local defense attorney Philip Lauer in that case but is currently represented by Perry Paul de Marco, of Philadelphia, according to court records.
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2014/08/lehigh_university_student_grab.html