Allentown police officer charged in assault during arrest
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An Allentown police officer has been charged with assault after investigators determined he struck a suspect in the face with the muzzle of his firearm while the man was surrendering, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced.
Abviud Carvajal, of Allentown, faces a felony count of aggravated assault, attempts to cause or cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon, and a misdemeanor count of simple assault.
Carvajal surrendered to authorities Aug. 7 and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Todd Heffelfinger. He was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is set for 3:15 p.m. Aug. 26 before Heffelfinger.
Holihan said the incident occurred July 23, when police were called to the 700 block of North 11th Street for a report of a threat involving a firearm.
According to investigators, a woman told police she received a threatening phone call and photos from her boyfriend, identified as Thomas Kravitz of Philadelphia, showing a firearm and threatening to harm her.
Officers later spotted Kravitz’s truck near the woman’s home. When they tried to stop him, he fled, striking a police vehicle and leading officers on a pursuit through Allentown and into Whitehall Township. The chase ended when Kravitz crashed at 13th and Pennsylvania streets.
Body camera and dash camera footage reviewed by investigators showed Kravitz standing at the rear of his truck with his hands raised and empty while another officer held him at gunpoint.
Holihan said Carvajal approached with his gun drawn and struck Kravitz in the face with the muzzle, despite Kravitz making no threatening movements. Kravitz fell to the ground and was later treated at a hospital for facial injuries.
Kravitz was arrested after the incident and charged with multiple offenses, including illegal possession of a firearm, fleeing police, and causing an accident involving injury while not properly licensed. He remains in Lehigh County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Investigators said Kravitz discarded a loaded .22 caliber handgun during the pursuit, which was later recovered in the 1200 block of Whitehall Street.
Holihan said the video footage will not be released at this time to preserve Carvajal’s right to a fair trial.
The case was investigated by Allentown Police Capt. Stephen Milkovits and will be prosecuted by Holihan’s office.
