Man charged with robbing 5 city shops in 2 weeks

Allentown police have identified a man they said robbed five businesses in the city in less than two weeks.

On Thursday, the department said in a news release that investigators identified Cristhian Manuel Valerio-Vidal as a man who robbed multiple businesses between July 5 and Monday.

Valerio-Vidal, 21, is charged with five counts each of robbery and receiving stolen property, which are felonies, as well as a misdemeanor of making terroristic threats.

Allentown police said Valerio-Vidal’s first robbery was at Abe’s Cold Beer on North 15th Street about 1:30 p.m. July 5. He walked into the store, demanded money from the cashier, then left with an undisclosed amount of money, according to court documents.

He then robbed Lite Smoke Shop on Liberty Street about 6:45 p.m. July 10, police said. Valerio-Vidal entered the shop, demanded money, threatened to shoot the cashier, then fled with $200, court documents allege.

After that, Valerio-Vidal robbed the JJ Threadz on Chew Street about 6 p.m. July 14, according to police. Valerio-Vidal took two pairs of sneakers and two pairs of boxer shorts, collectively worth $500, then fled the store, charging documents state.

The next day, Valerio-Vidal robbed Turner Street Market and Deli on Turner Street about 3:30 p.m., police said. He entered the store, demanded money, then fled with $400, according to authorities.

Valerio-Vidal then robbed A-1 Gas, also on Turner Street, about 9:30 p.m. Monday, police said. During that incident he showed the handle of a black handgun, then took $300 and fled, court documents state.

Authorities identified Valerio-Vidal earlier this week. He was arrested and arraigned Tuesday night.

Valerio-Vidal was sent to Lehigh County Jail under $100,000 bail.

— Christopher Dornblaser