PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Rubiel Perez, 29, of Allentown, Pennsylvania was arrested and charged by Indictment 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, in connection with three armed robberies that occurred over the course of two days in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
The Indictment alleges that on March 28, 2023, the defendant entered a 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Boulevard in Allentown, pointed a firearm at a store employee, and stole $937 before fleeing. The following night, the defendant targeted a 7-Eleven convenience store on South Fourth Street in Allentown. There, he pointed a handgun at a store employee and threatened him, before stealing $150 from the store. Also on March 29th, the defendant entered a 7-Eleven on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township, and attempted to rob the store by pointing a firearm at the store employee and threatening him.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 14 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.