ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An Allentown man convicted of killing another man during a robbery five years ago will spend decades in state prison, according to authorities.
Jose Santiago, 39, was sentenced Monday to 30-60 years in prison, court records show.
Santiago had pleaded guilty in May to third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Police responded Oct. 17, 2020, to a 911 call in the 100 block of East Hamilton Street at the bridge, where a man was shot.
Jose Santiago's wife, Latasha, was sentenced this month to serve 10-20 years — the maximum sentence — after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.
Lehigh County District Attorney's Office
Christian Lopez-Rodriguez, 21, of Allentown, suffered a gunshot to his abdomen; he died that day at a local hospital, authorities said.
A witness told police they saw a man, later identified as Santiago, jump over the side of a bridge and get into a gold vehicle after shooting Lopez-Rodriguez.
The witness was walking across the Hamilton Street bridge with Lopez-Rodriguez when Santiago approached them with a gun and told them to “run their pockets,” authorities said.
He said Santiago opened fire after Lopez-Rodriguez punched him. Santiago stole about $180 during the robbery, according to court records.
The witness told police he fired at Santiago as he ran to a car. Santiago walked into a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg shortly after the robbery.
He was driven by his wife, Latasha Santiago, who this month was sentenced to 10-20 years — the maximum sentence — after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.