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Bicycling Bandit Blamed for 6 More Robberies

A man who police say robbed stores and fled by bicycle is being charged with more crimes in both Lehigh and Northampton counties.

 

The "Bicycling Bandit" -- who wore a pig mask in one case and fled by bicycle after hitting convenience stores -- is being charged with six more robberies beyond the original six announced in December.

Crimes in Bethlehem, Easton and Coopersburg have been added to charges against Steven Felton, 31, of 617 1/2 Walnut St., Emmaus.

The new charges include crimes at three mini-marts and two cigarette stores, according to a Lehigh Valley Live report.

Police from Emmaus, Allentown and Whitehall, along with members of the Lehigh County Drug Task Force, arrested Felton at his Emmaus address last month. He is jailed in Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $300,000 bail. 

The initial robberies Felton was charged for are:

According to the arrest affidavit, Felton dressed in similar fashion in the robberies, wearing a gray-hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants with stripes on the sides. In several instances he was also described as wearing black sneakers with white soles and a baseball hat with a light color on the bill.

In four of the six incidents, Felton allegedly used a black handgun. In two of the robberies, witnesses allegedly saw him flee on a bicycle, and in one instance, ride the bicycle to a dark-colored SUV.

During the Emmaus Liberty Bell robbery, Felton wore a Halloween mask, possibly that of a pig, according to the arrest affidavit. The use of a mask during the Emmaus incident led police to believe the robber may have had a connection to Emmaus and didn't want to be recognized. As a result, investigators began searching databases for SUVs associated with the Emmaus area, the affidavit says.

A dark blue GMC Envoy was found registered to Josephine Felton, also of 617 1/2 Walnut St. Josephine Felton reported to Emmaus Police on Oct. 28 that her estranged husband, Steven Felton, took her Envoy for several days without her knowing where he was. The vehicle matches one seen in a surveillance video. 

The investigation is continuing and more charges may be filed, the District Attorney's office said.

Felton had a previous arrest by the Philadelphia Police Department for robbery in 2010, according to the affidavit.

As in every criminal case the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation; and the defendant, Steven Felton, is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Related Topics: Bicycling Bandit

jennifer

8:38 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013

If this man committed an armed robbery, just a few months ago, why is he free on the streets?

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ron

9:41 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013

I believe he is still in Lehigh County prison.

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