Sekani Damani Hartley, 23, of Bethlehem, and Israel Alexis Cortes, 23, of Allentown, were charged following the robbery on the 1700 block of Shimer Avenue on Saturday, May 30, according to the Bethlehem Police Department.

Officers responded around 2:06 p.m. after receiving a report of an armed robbery involving two juvenile victims.

Investigators said the victims had arranged to meet the suspects through Facebook Marketplace to sell athletic shoes valued at approximately $1,000. During the transaction, one suspect displayed a firearm and stole the shoes and a cellphone before fleeing with the second suspect.

Detectives quickly identified the suspects and developed information indicating the stolen property and firearm were likely inside an apartment at the Oak Hollow Apartment Complex, police said.

Due to the involvement of a firearm, officers established a perimeter while detectives obtained a search warrant. Bethlehem’s Emergency Response Team was deployed along with K-9 units from the Bethlehem and Lower Saucon police departments.

Police also used a remotely operated robot to gather information and deploy chemical agents inside the residence before officers made entry, according to the release.

One suspect surrendered after police ordered occupants to exit the apartment. The second suspect was found hiding inside a closet, authorities said.

During the search, officers recovered all five pairs of stolen shoes, clothing matching what was allegedly worn during the robbery, and three firearms. One of the guns had been reported stolen, police said.

Investigators also determined both suspects were prohibited from possessing firearms.

Hartley and Cortes were each charged with:

Felony Robbery.Felony Criminal Conspiracy.Felony Persons Not To Possess Firearms.Felony Receiving Stolen Property.Felony Firearms Not To Be Carried Without A License.Misdemeanor Theft By Unlawful Taking.

Police credited additional officers assigned to proactive patrol operations that day with helping investigators quickly identify the suspects, recover the stolen property, locate multiple firearms, and make the arrests within hours of the robbery.


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