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DA Says, Philadelphia Woman Ordered to Stand Trial for Murder of Wrightstown Man

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A woman was ordered to stand trial Thursday for the murder of a 72-year-old man in Wrightstown Township in October, said the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Meghan Macklin, 46, of Philadelphia, was charged in March with the murder of Richard Scott MacFarland in his home at 55 Apple Hill Road. She was taken into custody in Tennessee after fleeing the area in the victim’s car.

At a preliminary hearing at the Bucks County Criminal Justice Center, Deputy District Attorney Brittney M. Kern presented video and photo evidence and testimony from law enforcement officers to show that Macklin killed McFarland inside his home. Testimony presented in court showed that the two had a friendly, but sometimes volatile, relationship, and she sometimes stayed at his residence.

Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Petrucci ruled enough evidence was presented to send all charges against Macklin to the Court of Common Pleas. She is scheduled for a formal arraignment on Aug. 16.

Macklin faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, possession of an instrument of crime, abuse of a corpse, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and simple assault.

This investigation by Detectives with the Newtown Township Police Department and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office began on Oct. 7, 2023, when police located Richard Scott MacFarland deceased inside his home.

MacFarland had been repeatedly stabbed and slashed, and it appeared he had been cleaned and dressed after he was murdered. The investigation also found that he was stabbed and killed in one of the bedrooms and then moved to the location where he was found.

An autopsy determined MacFarland’s cause of death to be multiple stab and slash wounds and the manner of death was homicide.

During the investigation, police located jewelry boxes that appeared to have been rummaged and a checkbook missing checks. They also located a bloody rug and bloody bedding and clothing, and items that belonged to Macklin.

Detectives also learned that a black 2013 Mercedes vehicle that belonged to the victim was missing. After the Mercedes could not be located, it was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database as a stolen vehicle.

Macklin was taken into custody later that day in White Pine, Tennessee. Body cam video of her interaction with a Tennessee police officer was presented Thursday as evidence.

In the video, Macklin identified herself as Janet MacFarland, the victim’s deceased wife. She also provided police with a social security card and blank personal check in the name of Janet MacFarland as proof of her identity.

Inside the vehicle, detectives recovered jewelry, jewelry boxes, and coins, similar in type to what was observed in MacFarland’s home. Police also located bank checks and deposit slips in the name of Janet MacFarland, along with various identifications for Macklin and Richard Scott MacFarland from the vehicle.

Additionally, police sent some of the items recovered, including a pair of Crocs from the vehicle and latex gloves from the home, to be forensically tested. Both items resulted in matches for the victim’s DNA.

This case was investigated by the Bucks County Detectives and Newtown Township Police Department with assistance from the White Pine Police Department in Tennessee. Deputy District Attorney Brittney Kern and Assistant District Attorney Sara Salvo are assigned to prosecute.

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No Selling Coquito for You LCB Authorities Say to Croydon Deli Owner, Employee

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The owner and an employee of the Croydon based State Road Deli Market have been charged for allegedly selling Coquito to customers.

According to state authorities, on Dec 23, 2025, a web complaint was received reporting the State Road Deli Market, located at 2518 State Road, Croydon posted on their Meta Page that they were taking orders for Coquito -coconut-based rum alcoholic beverage- for the holidays.

Investigators from the the state’s Liquor Control Board on Dec. 29, 2025, contacted the tipster who reported that they saw multiple Facebook posts from the premises advertising sales of homemade Coquito. Continued on this date, an open source query yielded the premises’ Facebook page displaying a post with a picture of a bottle of Coquito, and stated that they were taking orders with prices of  $8.00 for virgin (non-alcoholic) and $12.00 with alcohol.

(The ” Coquito”  posts have since been removed – a review of the deli’s Meta page.)

Investigators on Dec. 30, 2025, reviewed state data that showed the premises was not licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Additionally, PLCB certification confirmed that the premises did not have any authority to sell alcoholic beverages within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (CWOPA).

On Jan. 3, 2026, at 3:01 p.m., Liquor Control Officers Messinger and Marrow entered the premises where  Ofc. Marrow  removed one (1) bottle of Coquito from the cooler and placed it on the counter. The clerk (later Identified as Effie Mae McMahon) confirmed that the bottle contained alcohol as written on the label. Marrow handed McMahon $13.00, and was provided ¢.28 in change, and the sale was rung up.

The bottle was secured, and later placed into evidence with a sample sent for laboratory testing. Continued on this date, a search of PA State Department records identified that the premises’ owner was Wilfredo M. Sanchez. A further open source search identified Wilfredo Miguel Sanchez-Caparachin and McMahon as workers at the premises. A further query of Bureau databases disclosed that neither Sanchez-Caparachin nor McMahon are registered and/or authorized by the PLCB to sell liquor within the CWOPA, officers wrote in court papers.

On  Jan. 14, 2026, at 7:15 a.m., Investigators returned to the  deli where they  noticed four bottles of Coquito in the cooler. A bottle was placed on the counter, purchased for $13.00. The bottle was secured, and later placed into evidence with a sample sent for laboratory testing, investigators said

On Jan. 21, 2026, at 7:01 a.m.,  investigators Messinger and Marrow entered the premises where Marrow noticed two bottles and purchased one (1) bottle of Coquito, court papers show.

The investigators reentered the deli, identified themselves to McMahon. McMahon was identified after presenting their Pennsylvania driver’s license as being (20) years old.

Authorities seized the remaining bottle of Coquito from the cooler and both bottles were secured, and later placed into evidence with samples sent for laboratory testing. Ofc. Marrow then recovered the currency used  to make the purchase from the register. Marrow requested that McMahon contact Sanchez-Caparachin to respond to the premises.

While awaiting Sanchez-Caparachin, McMahon was given Non-Custodial rights and agreed to answer questions, court papers show.

McMahon, according to the probable cause, admitted that they did possess and sell Coquito a rum based alcoholic beverage to Marrow on the above listed dates. McMahon further stated that they have been employed at the premises for over five (5) years and continued working under the new owner Sanchez-Caparachin since May 2023, McMahon also admitted that they assisted Sanchez-Caparachin in making the Coquito under Sanchez-Caparachin’s direction.

At 7:50 a.m. Sanchez-Caparachin arrived at the premises and was identified after presenting their Connecticut driver’s license. Sanchez-Caparachin was given Non-Custodial rights, and agreed to answer questions. Sanchez=Caparachin stated that they are the registered owner of the premises since May 2023 and are the sole operator with their only employee being McMahon. Sanchez-Caparachin admitted to purchasing Bacardi Coconut Rum Liquor at various liquor stores in New Jersey and transported
the rum into Pennsylvania in order to make Coquito and sell it at the premises. Sanchez-Caparachin further admitted that since May 2023 they have made and sold about fifty (50) bottles of Coquito and that they do not have a valid license to sell liquor within the state of Pennsylvania.

On Feb.9, 2026, PLCB certification confirmed that McMahon, Sanchez-Caparachin and/or the premises did not have authority to sell or dispense alcoholic beverages in the CWOPA from Jan. 1, 2025 through Jan. 21, 2026, according to court records.

On Feb. 21, 2026 analysis from the Pennsylvania State Police Laboratory confirmed that all samples submitted contained alcohol, the criminal complaint says.

Sanchez-Caparachin has been charged with selling alcohol illegally, selling of alcohol by a minor, and related offenses.

McMahon has been charged with selling alcohol illegally and a related offense.

Both were charged by mail summons and are scheduled to appear for hearings on April. Neither has a attorney of record listed as of publication time.

 

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Bucks County Sheriff Charges Levittown Woman with Hindering Apprehension of Boyfriend

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A 50-year-old woman from Levittown has been charged by Bucks County Sheriff Deputies of multiple counts of hindering the apprehension of her boyfriend who had an active arrest warrant and is also wanted for probation violations, authorities say.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Bucks County Sheriff Deputies, early on Feb. 6,  deputies  assigned to the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Service Unit, responded to the SpringMill Suites at 200 N. Buckstown Rd. in  Langhorne seeking to take William Sullivan in on his five active bench warrants; four probation violation warrants and one domestic relations warrant-. While checking the area for a vehicle known to be associated with Sullivan, it was discovered parked outside of the hotel. The vehicle, a gray Volkswagen Jetta bearing PA registration MSZ***  registered to Kelly Fitzgerald, was parked near the front door of the hotel. Sullivan is the known boyfriend of Fitzgerald.

Deputies entered the lobby of the hotel to speak with management to inquire if they have seen Sullivan. While in the lobby, Deputies located Fitzgerald near her vehicle and began to speak to her about Sullivan.

Fitzgerald, according to authorities was verbally uncooperative and continued to claim she was being harassed regarding Sullivan’s whereabouts. Fitzgerald repeatedly said she did not know the his whereabouts and had not seen him in a while. At this point, Fitzgerald welcomed deputies to search her room (113) for Sullivan, which turned out to be negative. Because Fitzgerald was causing a scene in the hotel lobby, Deputies left the lobby and waited in an adjacent parking lot and watched Fitzgerald drive away. Computer checks revealed Fitzgerald to have a suspended PA Driver’s License.

At 8:30 a.m. on the same date, deputies returned to the hotel to conduct further follow up interviews with hotel staff on Sullivan’s whereabouts.. At this point it was learned that when Deputies searched room 113, Fitzgerald was already checked out of it and she was already moved into room #212 Deputies then approached room #212 and eventually arrested Sullivan when he surrendered exiting the room. Receipts from the hotel confirmed Fitzgerald rented room 212 and when Sullivan was searched, incident to arrest, the room key was found in his pocket, the probable cause alleges.

Deputies noted in court papers they had been attempting to locate Sullivan and had numerous contacts with Fitzgerald where she was advised of his active warrants and continued to inform them  she did not know his whereabouts.

Fitzgerald is being charged by mail summons and is scheduled for March 26 hearing before District Judge Charles D. Jonas. She currently has no attorney of record, according to online court records.

Sullivan is scheduled for probation violation hearings next month and currently remains a guest at Bucks County Correctional Facility, according to online public records.

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Emergency Crews Prepare for Incoming Blizzard as Lower Bucks Municipalities Declare Storm Plans

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Credit:: Veinna Carcel

Lower Bucks municipalities have declared disaster/snow emergencies in advance of the expected snow storm that the National Weather Service says will dump anywhere between 14 to 18 inches on the area.

A winter storm warning is still in effect from Sunday, Feb 22 to Monday, Feb 23.

Each municipality has its own link. For more information and updates, please click on their associated link.

Bensalem Township Disaster Emergency declared immediately for the pending snow storm. Click here to see more details.

Bristol Borough – Snow information/requirements have been posted on their website. Click here to see the details. 

Bristol Township – Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click here to see more details.

Falls Township – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and expires on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. Click here for details.

Langhorne Borough – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. No parking. Click here for details.

Lower Makefield Township – Snow information has been posted on Meta. Click here to see the details.

Middletown TownshipSnow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. . Click here to see details.

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Morrisville Borough Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.  Click here to see the details.

Newtown Township –  A Snow Emergency is in effect from 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.  Click here to see the details.

Penndel Borough – Snow Emergency has been declared from 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, through 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026. Click here for more details and click here for more on the ordinance.

Tullytown Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 6 p.m. Click here to see more details.

Warminster Township – Disaster Emergency has been declared for the incoming snow storm, effective Sunday  Feb. 22, 2026 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026 at 12 p.m..  Click here to see the details and click here to see the declaration from Township Manager Tom Scott.

Yardley Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 4 p.m. . Click here to see the details. and click here to see declaration/other information from Mayor Caroline Thompson.

The primary concern is safety.  Take care of yourselves and check on neighbors and those who may be vulnerable.

Please stay safe, take all necessary precautions, and keep your devices charged.

Click here for updates from the National Weather Service 

Click here for PECO’s outage map.

 

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