Trail of Cash Leads Pa. Police to Suspects in Gas Station Robberies

Two suspects in a string of gas station robberies were foiled after one of the men struck a Bethlehem police surveillance vehicle and left a trail of cash for officers to follow.

By Rudy Miller

Source The Express-Times

Nov. 12, 2025

2 min read

What to know

Two men were charged in three Bethlehem gas station robberies after one of the suspects crashed into a police surveillance vehicle and fleeing, leaving a trail of cash.
Authorities said the suspects might be linked to additional armed robberies in Allentown, Bath, Hellertown and Wilson Borough dating back to late October.
Both suspects face robbery and related charges.

Bethlehem, PA, police arrested two suspects in a series of gas station robberies after one of the men struck a Bethlehem police surveillance vehicle Tuesday and left a trail of cash for officers to follow.

An Allentown man and a Bethlehem man accused of three Bethlehem gas station robberies in the past two weeks were caught after crashing into a police vehicle and leaving a trail of cash, authorities said.

City police now say the pair is being investigated in connection with other robberies in multiple municipalities.

Jeniel Rivera Gotay, 24, of Bethlehem; and Luis Vega-Gonzalez, 20, of Allentown, are charged in connection with the three robberies, according to court records and a news release from the Northampton County District Attorney.

Neither man has an attorney listed in court records, and neither could be reached for comment.

They allegedly robbed:

The Sunoco Quickfill and Service at 2960 Linden St. on Nov. 2
The Racetrack gas station at 2350 Linden St. on Nov. 5
The Sunoco Quickfill again at 2960 Linden St. on Nov. 11

After the last robbery, one of the pair drove into a Bethlehem police surveillance vehicle, according to the news release. They ran away, but police followed a trail of cash to find them, the release says.

The district attorney is looking into whether the two men are responsible for similar armed robberies dating to late October of gas stations and convenience stores in Allentown, Bath, Hellertown and Wilson Borough.

“The investigation into all robberies continues. Additional charging is expected,” District Attorney Stephen Baratta wrote in the release.

Rivera Gotay is charged with robbery and related offenses. He’s in a local hospital due to injuries suffered when the robbers’ vehicle rammed the police vehicle, the news release says. He’ll be arraigned and bail will be set when he’s fit enough for the court proceeding, the release says.

Vega-Gonzalez is charged with robbery and related offenses. He was initially hospitalized but was then sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $1 million bail.

The district attorney commended the Bethlehem Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit and Vice Unit for the investigation.

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