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Coopersburg Police Department

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Convicted Stalker, 72, Accused of Harassing Girl at Store

Man with 2002 stalking conviction allegedly kept making comments to teenage worker at Giant and held her when she tried to pull away, police say.

A 72-year-old Coopersburg man who was convicted of stalking in 2002 is accused of making repeated inappropriate comments to a 17-year-old employee at the Giant supermarket in Coopersburg and trying to hold her when she tried to pull away. Eugene Benckini was allegedly making comments to a teen employed at the Giant on E. Fairmount Street earlier this month, according to Coopersburg police. Benckini had been calling the teen “pretty” and a “naughty girl” and allegedly placed his arm around her, and when she tried to get away held onto her, police said. He was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment.  In 2002, Benckini was convicted in Lehigh County Court of stalking a woman. He was sentenced to probation and house arrest. A …

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Coopersburg Police Department Hires Part-Time Officer

Officer Jordan Sonka joins the department after graduating in July.

Coopersburg Police Department swore in Jordan Sonka on Oct. 7 as a part-time officer to fill an opening caused by another officer's resignation in February. Sonka, 23, was hired after graduating from the Police Academy in July. He also graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Originally studying sports management, he became interested in law enforcement when talking with his roommate about ESU's criminal justice program. After meeting with the department head, he made the decision to become a police officer. “I wanted to be a person people can turn to for help,” said Sonka, who lives in Allentown. “It's a great opportunity,” he said of working for the Coopersburg force. He said his goal is to find …

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