Pennsylvania police officer charged with allegedly pistol-whipping man after chase through Allentown

[The Bobster]

Pennsylvania police officer charged with allegedly pistol-whipping man after chase through Allentown

Allentown police officer Abviud Carvajal, 30, is charged with allegedly pistol-whipping a man after a police chase last month.

www.cbsnews.com

Pennsylvania police officer charged with allegedly pistol-whipping man after chase through Allentown​

By
Tom Dougherty

Updated on: August 7, 2025 / 5:35 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

An Allentown Police Department officer has been charged with allegedly pistol-whipping a man after a police chase last month, according to the Lehigh County district attorney.

Abviud Carvajal, 30, has been charged with aggravated assault and simple assault in the July 23 incident, District Attorney Gavin Holihan said. Carvajal surrendered to police Thursday and was released on $25,000 bail. He has a preliminary hearing on Aug. 26. He's been placed on administrative leave.

The alleged assault happened around 8 p.m. on July 23 at 13th and Pennsylvania streets in Whitehall Township.

According to Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca, body and dash camera footage show Carvajal with his gun drawn, approaching Thomas Kravitz of Philadelphia after a chase through Allentown and into Whitehall Township.

Kravitz is allegedly seen in the video standing at the back of his truck with his hands raised and empty, ready to surrender, the DA and police chief said in a news release. They said another police officer was also detaining Kravitz at gunpoint.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

Abviud Carvajal,

Allentown Officer Charged For Hitting Surrendering Suspect With Gun Muzzle: Affidavit

An Allentown police officer is facing criminal charges after striking a surrendering suspect in the face with the muzzle of his gun, Lehigh County authorities announced on Thursday, Aug. 7.Abviud Carvajal, an Allentown patrolman, is charge…

dailyvoice.com

Cop Abviud Carvajal Charged For Striking Surrendering Man​

An Allentown police officer is facing criminal charges after striking a surrendering suspect in the face with the muzzle of his gun, Lehigh County authorities announced on Thursday, Aug. 7.

Abviud Carvajal, an Allentown patrolman, is charged with Felony Aggravated Assault – Attempts to Cause or Causes Bodily Injury with a Deadly Weapon and Misdemeanor Simple Assault, according to the District Attorney’s Office.


Carvajal surrendered and was released on $25,000 unsecured bail following his preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Todd Heffelfinger. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26.

Suspect Was Surrendering, Video Shows​

The charges stem from an incident on Tuesday, July 23, after a vehicle pursuit that began in Allentown and ended at North 13th and West Pennsylvania streets in Whitehall Township, police said.

The suspect, identified as Thomas Kravitz Jr., had allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a gun earlier that evening. Officers located his truck and began surveillance, eventually attempting a traffic stop when Kravitz arrived near the victim’s home. He fled and struck a police vehicle during the chase.

The pursuit ended in a crash. Body camera footage reviewed by investigators showed Kravitz standing behind his disabled truck with his hands raised in surrender, lit by spotlights and flashlights, according to the affidavit.


For approximately four seconds, Carvajal had a clear view of Kravitz, whose hands were empty and overhead. Despite that, Carvajal allegedly struck him in the face with the muzzle of his department-issued firearm, knocking him to the ground and causing a laceration to his head.

Both Men Face Charges​

Kravitz was treated at a hospital for his injuries and then arrested. He remains in Lehigh County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing on felony and misdemeanor charges, including illegal possession of a firearm, fleeing police, and causing an injury crash while unlicensed.

Police later recovered a loaded .22-caliber handgun nearby, which they believe Kravitz discarded during the chase.

This investigation was led by Capt. Stephen Milkovits and conducted with the cooperation of Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca. The footage from the incident will not be released to preserve Carvajal’s right to a fair trial.

 

[Ensis]

Pigs and jigs are both deadly; with the pigs being the deadlier. They are one big mega-gang that make the Crips, Bloods and even MS-13 seem like pikers. I don't like jigs, but I really fear pigs!