Allentown police officer charged for unjustified assault during arrest

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPHL) — An Allentown police officer has been charged for an unjustified assault during an arrest last month, the Lehigh County District Attorney and Allentown Police Chief announced Thursday afternoon.

Officials said Abviud Carvajal surrendered to authorities on Thursday.

The charges stem from an incident on July 23, 2025. At 8 p.m., Allentown Police were called to the 700 block of North 11th Street for a domestic incident. A woman was being threatened by her boyfriend with a weapon over the phone.

Police identified the boyfriend as Thomas Kravitz. Officers began surveillance near where the woman lives, and were able to identify Kravitz’s truck arriving at her home.

According to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, as officers attempted to stop Kravitz’s truck as he fled the scene, he hit an Allentown Police vehicle, starting a pursuit. It began in Allentown and ended in Whitehall Township, where Kravitz’s truck crashed at the intersection of 13th and Pennsylvania Streets.

Body and dash camera footage showed Carvajal, with his gun drawn, approaching Kravitz. According to investigators, the video shows Kravitz standing at the rear of his truck, ready to surrender with both hands up and empty. Kravitz was being detained at gunpoint by another Allentown Police officer.

Officials noted Kravitz was visible and well lit by flashlights and lights from police vehicles on the scene. From the body camera, the DA’s office said it is clear that Kravitz was empty-handed and was surrendering to officers, and remained standing with his empty hands over his head as Carvajal approached. After at least four seconds, Carvajal struck Kravitz in the face with his gun.

“In the time that Kravitz was standing with his hands up, he made no motions that could be construed as threatening and there was no evidence that he was reaching for a weapon. Kravitz was knocked to the ground with injuries to his face,” said a statement from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.

Kravitz was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after getting hit in the face by Carvajal’s gun.

Officers later recovered a loaded .22 caliber handgun from the 1200 block of Whitehall Street. Investigators believe Kravitz discarded the gun during the vehicle pursuit.

Kravitz was arrested and charged with several felony and misdemeanor charges, including illegal possession of a firearm, fleeing the police, and causing an accident involving injury while not properly licensed. He remains in Lehigh County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Carvajal is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. He was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Carvajal’s preliminary hearing is scheduled on August 26. He has been placed on administrative leave with the Allentown Police Department.

According to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the body camera and dash camera footage will not be released to ensure Carvajal’s right to a fair trial.