Two charged after juveniles are robbed at gunpoint during Bethlehem sneaker sale

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Sekani Damani Hartley, 23, of Bethlehem, and Israel Alexis Cortes, 23, of Allentown, were arrested Saturday after police said they robbed two juveniles at gunpoint during a Facebook Marketplace transaction for athletic shoes, then barricaded themselves inside an apartment at the Oak Hollow apartment complex.

Police said officers were called about 2:06 p.m. Saturday to the 1700 block of Shimer Avenue for a report of an armed robbery. The juveniles had arranged to meet people through Facebook Marketplace to sell athletic shoes valued at about $1,000, according to police.

During the transaction, one of the suspects displayed a firearm and took the shoes and a cellphone from the juveniles before fleeing with another suspect, police said.

Detectives identified Hartley and Cortes within hours and developed information that the stolen property and a firearm were likely inside an apartment at Oak Hollow, according to the department.

On Monday, a broken glass window with a hole in it was visible at the apartment where police served the warrant. A second window to the right remained cracked open at the top.

Because police believed a firearm was involved, officers established a perimeter while detectives obtained a search warrant. The department’s Emergency Response Team served the warrant, with K-9 officers from Bethlehem and Lower Saucon assisting, police said.

Police said the team also used a remotely operated robot to gather information and deploy chemical agents inside the apartment before officers entered.

One suspect surrendered after police ordered occupants to leave the residence, and a second suspect was found hiding in a closet, police said.

During the search, officers recovered all five pairs of stolen shoes, clothing consistent with what was worn during the robbery and three firearms, according to police. One firearm had been reported stolen, and investigators determined both Hartley and Cortes were prohibited from possessing firearms, police said.

Both men were charged with robbery, conspiracy, possession of firearms by persons not licensed, receiving stolen property, carrying a firearm without a license, and theft by unlawful taking, according to police.

Court records show Hartley and Cortes were both sent to Lehigh County Jail after being unable to post $150,000 monetary bail. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Friday at Lehigh County Central Court before Magisterial District Judge Amy Zanelli. The Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office is listed as representing both men.

Bethlehem police credited the rapid arrests in part to additional personnel assigned Saturday to directed patrols aimed at increasing police presence throughout the city.

Detectives and members of the Emergency Response Team were already deployed as part of that operation, allowing them to respond quickly, secure the apartment, obtain a warrant and take both men into custody, police said.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.