Four Charged in Robbery, Beating of Pantry 1 Clerk

Three men and a woman were arrested Wednesday night and charged in the early-morning robbery and beating of a convenience store clerk in Bethlehem, city police said.

The incident occurred a little before 3 a.m. Wednesday at the Pantry 1, 261 E. Union Boulevard, when one man entered the store, took a cigar and left without paying for it, police said.

The clerk, 25-year-old Jay Patel of 3052 Linden St., followed the man outside to get the license plate number of the car the man was getting into. In the parking lot, three men grabbed Patel, beat him and took his cell phone, according to police.

Patel had to be taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill, for treatment for head and facial injuries, police said.

Arrested and charged in the theft and beating were Xavier Serrano, 23, and Jesus M. Serrano, 26, both of 712 Second Ave., Bethlehem, and Justin M. Stahley, 23, of 2314 Grove Rd., Allentown.

All three men were charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property, police said.

Also charged was Madelyn Quinn Derr, 18, of 610 S. Fawn St., Allentown, with criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.

All four suspects were committed to Northampton County Prison, police said.