Trio Charged with Armed Robberies at Two Reading Businesses

Luis Cruz, 21, Eligio Huertas, 24, and Eduardo Ramos, 27, all of Reading, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery in connection with two armed robberies in Reading, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The charges include robbery which interferes with interstate commerce and conspiracy to commit robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, carjacking; and possessing, using, and carrying firearms during the commission of crimes of violence.

According to the indictment, on January 10, 2012, the defendants robbed the Sunoco A Plus store, at 200 Warren Street, and La Cibaena grocery store, at 100 Oley Street, at gunpoint, while wearing masks and gloves. They also robbed the stores’ employees. The indictment further alleges that the three defendants then carjacked the owner of a 2000 Toyota Avalon. In addition to the other charges, Cruz and Huertas are also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory sentence of 57 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life, five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $2 million, and special assessments.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Allentown Resident Agency, the Reading Police Department, and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise S. Wolf.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.