Allentown Woman Sentenced in 2020 Robbery Death

Latasha Santiago of Allentown was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with an October 17, 2020 incident that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Christian Lopez-Rodriguez. During the robbery on the Hamilton Street bridge, Latasha's husband, Jose Santiago, demanded belongings at gunpoint from Lopez-Rodriguez and another individual. Lopez-Rodriguez punched Jose Santiago, who then shot and killed him, while the second victim returned fire and wounded Jose. Latasha picked up Jose in a waiting vehicle, and both arrived at the hospital, where Jose surrendered the gun later identified as the murder weapon. Jose Santiago has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and conspiracy charges and is set for sentencing on June 16, facing 30 to 60 years in prison. The investigation was led by Allentown police and the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, using surveillance footage and ballistic evidence.