Two men are accused of robbing three gas stations this month in Bethlehem, according to authorities.
Jeniel Rivera Gotay, 24, of Bethlehem and Luis Vega-Gonzalez, 20, of Allentown robbed the same Sunoco gas station twice, and a Racetrack gas station once, in less than two weeks, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said in a news release.
The two first robbed the Sunoco at 2960 Linden St. on Nov. 2, then robbed the Racetrack at 2350 Linden St. three days later, the DA said. They then returned to the Sunoco early Tuesday morning and robbed it, the release states.
Police were surveilling the men as the exited the Sunoco about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the DA. Bethlehem police tried to stop them as they drove off in a vehicle, Baratta said. They rammed into the police vehicle and fled on foot, but were arrested shortly after nearby, authorities said.
Investigators found a trail of money from their vehicle to the area where they were arrested, according to the DA. Police searched the vehicle and found evidence linking them to the three robberies, officials aid.
Baratta noted there have been a number of similar robberies in the Lehigh Valley since late October, including at stores in Allentown, Bath, Hellertown and Wilson. The investigation into the robberies is ongoing, and the DA said he expects additional charges.
Rivera Gotay is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, theft and receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanors of unlawful restraint, theft and possessing an instrument of crime. He is hospitalized from injuries he suffered when his vehicle hit the police car, Baratta said.
Vega-Gonzalez is charged with three counts of robbery, one count each of aggravated assault, theft and receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanors of unlawful restraint and possessing an instrument of crime. He was sent to Northampton County Jail under $1 million bail.
