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Friday, January 08, 2016

2012 Lower Saucon Home Invasion Results in Charges

Wanted: David Bermudez
"The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine" is a saying that certainly applies to the 2012 home invasion of a Lower Saucon family that, until now, has gone unsolved. Based on a Grand Jury Presentment, Northampton County DA John Morganelli has directed that criminal charges be filed against David Bermudez, age 37, a fugitive who is formerly from Bethlehem. Calling the matter a "very serious case," Morganelli described home invasions as "a terrifying experience."

This home invasion occurred on a hot July night in 2012, when Dominic Albanese and his wife Jodi had just sat down to watch television after putting their four children to bed. Suddenly, the back door was kicked in and four partially masked men, carrying guns, barged in. Dominic was immediately hit in the head with a gun that discharged into a wall, and then was dragged upstairs while his wife was ordered to disrobe. When she refused, a gunman fired into the ceiling, leaving a bullet that was later retrieved just inches from one of the children's bedrooms.  

Jodi was then ordered upstairs to watch all four of these men kick, pistol whip and punch her husband until he was unresponsive. "Dominic, you don't take things that don't belong to you," shouted the leader. "You don't take money that doesn't belong to you. Where's the safe?"

She saw one of the assailants remove a Rolex watch from her husband's wrist while she herself was shoved into a closet and told to open the safe. She was punched in the face and a gun was fired next to her head and into the wall. These home invaders took a computer, iPads, diamond earrings, a camera and the safe, which contained about $5,000. They left in the family minivan, which was located by police the next day.

A jail house confession is what gave prosecutors the break they need.

While incarcerated on an unrelated matter, David Bermudez told a fellow inmate that he had had been solicited by Michael Radogna, a business associate and one-time friend of Albanese, to do the job. Albanese owed Radogna money. Also solicited were  David Perez, a person known only as "Chino," and Juan "Goldo" Fernandez. Bermudez provided this inmate with specific information about the home, what had happened and what was taken.

Mrs. Albanese was able to identify Juan "Goldo" Fernandez as a result of a photo display, but he committed suicide last year.

The investigating Grand Jury also heard evidence from a former Rodagna employee, who said that Radogna was willing to pay him $500 to $700 to "beat up somebody and break his arms" because that person owed him money.

Ass't DA Bill Blake reviews charges with his
boss, DA John Morganelli
Albanese at one time had a successful real estate office called Home Team Real Estate, which was at one time was located directly across the street from the courthouse. He was involved in several Easton properties, and became acquainted with Michael Radogna, who started the Mocha Mike coffee kiosks. His wife Carin, widow of slain Easton police officer Jesse Sollman, was awarded $5 million in a settlement against Easton

The two couples decided to invest in the 44-acre Lower Saucon Township property along Woodland Road. Albanese agreed to move into the farmhouse and take possession of 12 acres. The Radognas would build a home on the remaining land. Carin Radogna not only purchased the property, but took out a $380,000 mortgage after Albanese failed to qualify.

The Albanese family moved into the farmhouse, and made $200,000 in improvements.

In the meantime, relations between the two families deteriorated. Michael Radogna wanted the Albanese family out, and stated on several occasions he would "do whatever it takes to get his money back." In March 2012, the Radognas attempted to evict the Albanese family. But they obtained a stay as well as an order enjoining Radogna from visiting the property except for "business" purposes. Jodi Albanese complained that she felt intimidated by him.

While contempt proceedings against Radogna were pending, the home invasion occurred.

Following the assault, the Albanese family found a new place to live.

Michael Anthony Radogna has not been charged, and is presumed innocent.

Bermudez has been charged with burglary, aggravated assault, robbery, theft and terroristic threats. Burglary, aggravated assault and robbery are first degree felonies carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. Theft in this case is a third degree felony with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine. Terroristic threats is a first degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Morganelli has assigned the prosecution to Assistant District Attorney Bill Blake, supervising attorney for the Grand Jury.

Anyone with information can contact Lower Saucon Police at 610-317-6110.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

If any of this is true, this is scary stuff. And to think I used to buy coffee off of this a-hole. Kind of make you wonder about those old conspiracy theories regarding the death of Officer Solomon.

Anonymous said...

What is interesting is that the alleged leader has not been charged, and is presumed innocent. Lucky person.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He is like "Public Official No. 3."

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
and to think I was just about to pass on this article and you continue to amuse me with a gut busting belly laugh about the notorious hamilton street gang o thugs and subsect Znation as in third world nation creation¿!($ Subsect is a term that political parasites locally of course shuld be using instead of subset¿!($ But than Bernie these days pos like in your other artcle don't even know about the finer edicatcy's of team a or b tie tieing lerned mannerisms¿!($
redd for Republican
patent pending

Anonymous said...

Bernie -This IS not the same Dominic that has an electrical business here in Easton. They are not even relatives. The Dominic Albanese from Easton enjoy's a great reputation and never skinned anyone -I want to make this clear. THIS IS not the same person. Mr. Radogna by the way is privy to have had hosting of a KKK meeting of past, around the opening of Rt 78 where reportedly crosses were burned and may have been the largest rally in Pennsylvania -This is fishy .

Bernie O'Hare said...

No, he is unrelated, so far as I know. I believe he came here from New Jersey. He did a lot of his business in Easton. As for Radogna, you are mistaken. That is is father. It is an interesting family, and i will shed more light tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Bernie I said privy.

Anonymous said...

Get to his facebook --see the WIZARD- wow--

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Privy" means he is in on it, and you have no way of knowing whether that is true. Also, the Facebook page is his father, not him. The sins of the father shall not be visited on the son. I will be telling the story of the family tomorrow. You also forgot John Vito radogna.

Anonymous said...

So thought provoking are your ridiculed ramblings. To begin with, your blog stated that "Michael Anthony Radogna has not been charged, and is presumed innocent". Really, you must have some great political ties with Morganelli to conjure that one up! Oh right he's attempting to run for what? Pennsylvania Attorney General, hmmm? For a guy like you to take it upon yourself to even type such manure, is like, wow, what was I thinking? Oh right, you're privy to your, behind the scenes friend, Morganelli's objectives? If you think the general public is even aware of the even the slightest corruption behind the scenes in Northampton County government, you're highly mistaken. As an attorney, oh wait, as an ex-attorney, I'm sure you've already misdirected all your clients into the money-vacuum of Northampton County Courts promising them things you could never deliver because of your club membership to the "BAR", not the alcoholic one. And now let's go to Defamation damages you are now incurring, by making statements in public against individuals, with your unproven, directing, negligent ramblings. PENNSYLVANIA DEFAMATION LAW: ACTUAL MALICE AND NEGLIGENCE
Under Pennsylvanian law, a private figure defamation plaintiff must prove that the defendant either willingly made a false statement of fact or was at least negligent in determining that their statement was true.
The onus is on public figures, bringing defamation lawsuits, to prove that the defendants knew their statements were false or recklessly disregarded the falsity of their statements.
I prefer the latter being the case, plus you've shown that you have such disregard for every individual involved, continually directing the thoughts and theories towards an "unknown", (by the public), but you well know, that your ramblings are basically making individuals believe an aspect of those ramblings as "full truth" by using half-truths, partial truths and mixing them with no truth in order to achieve your agenda! That agenda will come forth, people talk remember, and they say the most telling things! Your behind the scenes involvement will definitely be noted by the political opposition teams. I'm sure you won't include this in your blog, or you might even edit it in your favor...I understand and know where you're coming from, don't be surprised when things go south and you are the one holding the big bag of tricks to explain!

Bernie O'Hare said...

The above comment (legal threat) was submitted for publication on 2/24, and I published the anonymous rant aimed at me immediately. Though not charged. Michael Radogna is featured prominently in this story, and I would be irresponsible not to name him. Do what you have to do.