United States Attorney David Metcalf has announced that Mikal Portalatin, a 34-year-old resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to several charges in relation to armed robberies in Berks County. The plea was entered before United States District Judge John M. Gallagher.
Portalatin faced one count each of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and armed bank robbery. These charges stem from three separate incidents that occurred in the latter half of 2022.
The first incident took place on July 27 at a Citgo gas station convenience store on Buttonwood Street. This was followed by another robbery on August 3 at a Sunoco gas station convenience store located on Lancaster Avenue. The third incident occurred on November 21 at Members First Credit Union on E. Lancaster Avenue.
During the July robbery, Portalatin discharged his firearm at an employee who pursued him as he fled; fortunately, no one was injured in the process.
Sentencing for Portalatin is set for October 30. He faces the possibility of life imprisonment based on these charges.
The investigation into these robberies was conducted by FBI Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency along with Cumru Township Police Department and Reading Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rosalynda M. Michetti and Kelly Lewis Fallenstein.
