An Allentown man was sentenced to years in prison for his involvement in a burglary and armed standoff at a Fountain Hill drug store on Christmas Eve 2024.
Miguel Martinez, 57, was sentenced Friday to 8-20 years in prison for the incident that happened at Fountain Hill Pharmacy at 1049 Broadway that prompted a lockdown for several hours, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said in a news release. Martinez pleaded guilty in May to charges of burglary, conspiracy to commit that offense, and a misdemeanor of possessing an instrument of crime.
Police responded to the pharmacy about 9 p.m. for a report of a burglar alarm. When they arrived, they found Martinez and his co-defendant David Montes Vazquez, inside the store, the DA’s office said. Vazquez pointed a gun at an officer, who opened fire but did not hit either of them, authorities said.
Both men refused to leave the pharmacy, and a standoff started, police said. Vazquez fired shots, some of which hit a nearby home, according to authorities.
Residents could not leave their home during the standoff. Both eventually surrendered to police, the DA’s office said.
Both men had broken into the pharmacy, spray painted surveillance cameras and stole medication, according to authorities.
Vazquez, 34, of Bethlehem, is charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit that offense, prohibited possession of a firearm, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy to make repairs to an offensive weapon, conspiracy to possess a weapon and conspiracy to commit theft. He remains in Lehigh County jail on $100,000 bail.