Warwick Township, PA – A Berks County man wanted in connection with a violent armed home invasion that escalated into a police pursuit and hostage situation has been arrested, authorities announced.
Luis Angel Lopez Jr., 37, of Spring Township, Berks County, was taken into custody Friday by the U.S. Marshals Service in Northampton County after investigators obtained an arrest warrant.
Lopez is accused of participating in a June 28 armed burglary at a home in the first block of Hurst Boulevard in Warwick Township alongside co-defendant Hector Luis Martinez Jr., 18.
Homeowner allegedly pistol-whipped during robbery
According to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department, the incident unfolded shortly before 7 p.m. when a homeowner encountered Lopez inside the residence.
Investigators allege Lopez, whose face was partially concealed by a mask, was armed with a handgun while Martinez held two 14-year-old boys at gunpoint with an assault-style rifle.
Police said Lopez repeatedly demanded to know where the homeowner kept a safe and cash.
During the confrontation, the homeowner allegedly ripped Lopez’s mask from his face, prompting Lopez to strike him in the head with the handgun.
Authorities said the suspects removed several valuables from the home before fleeing as officers arrived. Some of the stolen property was discarded in the front yard during the escape.
Suspect allegedly fired at pursuing residents and police
Investigators said multiple witnesses reported Lopez fired his handgun into the air twice while fleeing on foot.
One witness told police Lopez fired directly toward people chasing him.
Officers later recovered a shell casing from the area where the shots were allegedly fired.
Police said several residents joined officers in pursuing the suspects through the neighborhood.
Martinez was quickly apprehended after crashing a vehicle on an embankment near Meadow Valley Road.
Hostage situation unfolded during escape
Authorities allege Lopez avoided capture by forcing his way into a home on Brian Drive through a closing garage door.
Once inside, investigators said he held a man and woman hostage at gunpoint and forced them to drive him to a Berks County location within walking distance of his residence.
Police said Lopez threatened to kill the male victim if the woman failed to follow his directions.
Before leaving the vehicle, Lopez allegedly stole the woman’s driver’s license, cash, and a prescription medication bottle.
Social media photo helped identify suspect
Investigators said they identified Lopez after locating a photograph of him posted on social media.
Police also recovered Martinez’s cellphone and found more than a dozen phone calls exchanged between the two suspects in the hours leading up to the home invasion.
Authorities noted Lopez is prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.
Facing lengthy list of charges
Lopez has been charged with:
- Three counts of robbery
- Two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery
- Burglary
- Conspiracy to commit burglary
- Criminal trespass
- Conspiracy to commit criminal trespass
- Two counts of kidnapping
- Possession of a prohibited firearm
- Two counts of aggravated assault
- Four counts of false imprisonment of a minor
- Three counts of false imprisonment
- Four counts of unlawful restraint of a minor
- Three counts of unlawful restraint
- Terroristic threats
Lopez remains in the Northampton County Prison awaiting arraignment and is also being held on a Berks County parole detainer.
Martinez has been separately charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal trespass, conspiracy to commit criminal trespass, and recklessly endangering another person.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Theresa Stauffer of the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department at 717-733-0965 or submit a tip through Lancaster County Crime Stoppers.
