Ex-cop sentenced to probation in romance scam – Bucks Round-Up – March 16, 2026
Ex-cop sentenced to probation in romance scam
A former Bucks County police officer used his power of authority to woo and deceive a Langhorne senior citizen. Carlito Cortez, 60, of Richboro, was sentenced to seven years of restricted probation for a predatory scheme that began in 2020. Cortez will serve the first 90 days of his sentence in home detention on the charge of criminal attempt to commit theft by deception. Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller imposed a concurrent seven-year probationary term for perjury, and he must not have contact with the victim. Also, Cortez must undergo a mental health evaluation, complete a decision-making class, and submit a formal letter of apology to the victim who is now 77 years old. The sentencing follows Cortez’s December “no contest” plea, which means the refused to explicitly plead guilty, but willing submitted to sentencing for his crimes of criminal attempts to commit theft by deception, securing execution of documents by deception, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, false swearing, perjury, and official oppression. The former part-time police officer in Yardley and Langhorne boroughs was charged in May 2025 following an investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s office and the 21st Investigating Grand Jury. The investigation revealed that Cortez used his police position to build a relationship with the victim after investigating a theft at her home in 2020. Investigators found Cortez manipulated her into signing a last will and testament that he falsely presented as a power of attorney document to gain control of her $500,000 estate.
Arson suspected in Mill Race fire
A Sunday morning fire at the former Mill Race Inn on Buck Road in Holland is under investigation as possible arson. The fire destroyed an addition to the abandoned, deteriorated building. The Mill Race Inn opened in the early 1960s next to Mill Creek. Floods in 1999 and 2001 resulted in overwhelming damage to the once popular dining spot, and it never recovered. There are plans in Northampton Township for redevelopment of the blighted site, which was initially developed in 1787 as a grist mill, that include preservation of the property’s original stone walls.
Bucks County turned on the green this weekend
Tomorrow, March 17, is St. Patrick’s Day, but Bucks County’s Irish Americans — and friends — got a head start this weekend with parades and hooleys across the county. Bucks County has one of the highest numbers of people claiming Irish heritage in the commonwealth. The 36th annual Levittown St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched down New Falls Road between Falls and Bristol townships, cheered on by crowds of people mostly dressed in green. They enjoyed bagpipers, Irish dancers, the Harry S. Truman Marching Band, floats, and decorated vehicles. The parade and celebrations were duplicated in pubs and restaurants, with special Celtic events held from Perkasie to Bristol, and continued throughout the weekend. Last week, police in Central Bucks issued a reminder that they planned to have more patrols along Route 611 over the weekend, a notice that celebrants should refrain from drinking and driving.
Pat Wandling is a veteran journalist, formerly of the Bucks County Courier, and was a mainstay on WBCB for over 20 years.
