Four More Armed Robberies in City

Four more armed robberies were committed in Bethlehem on Wednesday night and police have arrested three of five suspects – all teenagers – in connection to the crimes.

However, two of the suspects remain at large, according to the Bethlehem Police Blog. All of the robberies took place between 10:40 p.m. and midnight and, in one case, a female victim was assaulted, police said.

The first occurred in the unit block of E. North Street; the second occurred in the area of Dellwood Street and E. Union Boulevard; the third occurred in the 400 block of Main Street; and the fourth robbery occurred in the 1600 block of Jill Street.

Earlier in the day, two men committed a at at 512 Main St. Those suspects remain at large.

In all, there have now been in the city in the past 12 days.

Based on descriptions given to police by the victims, police cars descended on a parked green Ford Focus on Fritz Drive in Marvine-Pembroke that was occupied by five “dark-skinned males.” The car pulled away and turned onto Randolf Road where four of the males fled the car on foot, police said.

The driver, Johnnie Johnson, 19, of Port Jervis, N.Y., was arrested and police found several purses, wallets and sets of keys in the vehicle.

A short distance away, police also caught Danny Stafford, 18, of 413 Taylor Street, Bethlehem, and a 15-year-old juvenile who is also from Bethlehem.

All three suspects have been charged with four counts of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of robbery, two counts of criminal attempt to commit robbery, two counts of theft, two counts of receiving stolen property, and two counts of simple assault.

Police were anticipating an arraignment today before District Judge James Narlesky for Johnson and Stafford. The 15-year-old was committed to Northampton County Juvenile Detention, pending court action.

Anyone who has information or knows the identities of the other two males involved, is asked to contact the City of Bethlehem Police Communication Center at 610-865-7187 and/or Det. Brad Jones at 610-865-7146.