Rubiel Perez, a 31-year-old resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for a series of armed robberies that took place in Lehigh County in March 2023. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl.
Perez pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He was charged by indictment in November 2023.
According to court documents and statements made by the defendant, Perez carried out three separate incidents targeting convenience stores over two days. On March 28, 2023, he entered a 7-Eleven on Union Boulevard in Allentown, pointed a handgun at an employee, and stole $937 before fleeing. The following night, he robbed another 7-Eleven on South 4th Street in Allentown at gunpoint, taking $150. Later that same evening, Perez attempted to rob a third store on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township but left after threatening the employee with a firearm.
“Three times in two days, Rubiel Perez pointed his gun at store clerks and made them fear for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Prosecuting violent offenders is a priority for my office. We will not permit criminals to prey on the people in our communities.”
“In 25 hours, Rubiel Perez robbed three 7-Eleven stores, threatening the employees’ lives at gunpoint,” said Shannon Hamm, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Stopping violent criminals who terrorize our communities like Perez is a primary ATF mission. Thanks to our agents’, detectives’, and prosecutors’ combined efforts, he is now going to federal prison where he will no longer endanger this town. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to make Pennsylvania’s communities safer for all.”
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf prosecuted the case.
