Crime & Safety
Coopersburg Man Accused of Beating Brother
Justin M. Bellis was charged with simple assault for allegedly hitting and kicking his brother, Coopersburg police say.
A Coopersburg man allegedly hit and kicked his brother several times after their mother demanded he leave the house.
About 9 p.m. Oct. 31, borough police were dispatched to 209 Main St. on a report of a disturbance, according to a police affidavit. They were met by Patricia Cullen, who said her son, Justin M. Bellis, 30, of the rear apartment of 209 Main St., had come to the house intoxicated to discuss moving back home.
She reportedly demanded that he leave and he began beating his brother, Craig Bellis, police said. Officers saw that Craig Bellis' glasses were broken and he had cuts and scratches. His mother took him to St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown for kidney and stomach pain, police said.
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When officers looked for Justin Bellis, they found he had taken a car belonging to his stepfather. About midnight, police found the car and arrested Justin Bellis at the rear garage apartment at 209 Main St. They searched him and allegedly found the car keys and what they suspect to be a small amount of marijuana in his pocket.
He was charged with simple assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a small amount of marijuana. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 in Lehigh County Court.