PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the Thursday arrest and indictment of Rubiel Perez, 29, of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Perez has been charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. These charges are in connection with three armed robberies that took place over two days in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
According to the indictment, Perez allegedly entered a 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Boulevard in Allentown on March 28, 2023, brandished a firearm at a store employee, and stole $937 before fleeing the scene. The following night, Perez allegedly targeted another 7-Eleven convenience store, this time on South Fourth Street in Allentown. He is accused of pointing a handgun at a store employee, threatening him, and stealing $150 from the store. On the same day, Perez allegedly entered a 7-Eleven on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township and attempted to rob the store by threatening an employee with a firearm.
If convicted, Perez faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 14 years in prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department led the investigation into these incidents. Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf is prosecuting the case.
As with all criminal charges, an indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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