May 8, 2025
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Jose Santiago of Allentown pleaded guilty today to killing another city man in 2020 during an armed robbery that had two people shooting guns on the Hamilton Street Bridge.
Santiago, 42, pleaded guilty before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks and faces 30 to 60 years in prison, according to a statement from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.
Santiago ordered 21-year-old Christian Lopez-Rodriguez and another person to “run their pockets” before shooting Lopez-Rodriguez in the abdomen. The victim later died, while Santiago jumped off the side of the bridge and fled.
I would not have known what “run your pockets” means.
The other victim had shot Santiago, who went to a nearby hospital. Bullets were flying on the bridge, and this was at 3:25 p.m. in the afternoon on Oct. 17, 2020.
Santiago’s wife Latasha has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, according to the District Attorney’s statement, and she faces 10 to 20 years in prison when sentenced June 3.
She was driving the car the shooter got into, according to Holihan.
Here’s the statement from D.A. Holihan:
May 8, 2025
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced a man pleaded guilty today to charges in an
Allentown armed robbery and killing that occurred in 2020.
Jose Santiago, DOB 1/18/1983, of Allentown, pleaded guilty to Murder of the Third Degree and
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, both felonies of the first degree.
Santiago pleaded guilty at a hearing today before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks. The open plea
carries a possible sentence of 30 to 60 years in prison.
Santiago is scheduled for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. June 16.
Also charged in the case is Santiago’s wife, Latasha Santiago. She pleaded guilty on March 31,
2025 to a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and faces a possible maximum sentence of
10 to 20 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on June 3.
This case was investigated by Allentown Police Detective Harold Bonser and Detective Timothy
Salgado of the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and is being prosecuted by First Assistant
District Attorney Eric Dowdle and Senior Deputy District Attorney Gregory Englert.
On Oct. 17, 2020 at approximately 3:25 p.m., Allentown Police were called to the 100 block of
East Hamilton Street at the bridge for a report of a man who was shot. A person who called 911
said after the shooting, the suspect jumped over the side of the bridge and got into a gold vehicle.
Police found the victim, 21-year-old Christian Lopez-Rodriguez with a gunshot wound to his
abdomen. Lopez-Rodriguez succumbed to his wounds and died at an area hospital.
Lopez-Rodriguez of Allentown died from the gunshot wound and his death was ruled a homicide
by the Lehigh County Coroner.
Officers on scene spoke to a victim who was walking with Lopez-Rodriguez at the time of the
shooting. The victim’s name will not be released.
That victim told police they were walking eastbound across the Hamilton Street bridge when
Jose Santiago approached them and showed a handgun and told them to “run their pockets.”
The victim said he handed Santiago his wallet containing $181.50 and during the robbery,
Lopez-Rodriguez punched Santiago, who then opened fire and shot Lopez-Rodriguez. The
victim told police he pulled out his own handgun and shot Santiago before Santiago fled. While
fleeing, Santiago shot at the victim as well.
Several minutes after the shooting, Santiago walked into a local hospital with a gunshot wound
to his leg. He was accompanied by Latasha Santiago. While at the hospital, Santiago turned over
a handgun.
A witness observed the shooting and saw Santiago fire a gun and then jump over the bridge into
the waiting vehicle parked under the bridge. That vehicle was driven by Latasha Santiago.
Video surveillance was also recovered from the Hamilton Street bridge that showed the robbery
and killing.
Santiago’s gun and recovered ballistic evidence was analyzed by the Lehigh County Firearm and
Tool Mark Laboratory and Detective Mark Garrett determined they were used to kill the victim.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 
“Run your pockets” means empty them out. (RDFrable on X)
LikeLike