Suspects in string of 7-Eleven robberies nabbed just before next hit

Police shut down an armed robbery ring just as the suspects were about to strike again.

Officers arrested a man and two teenage girls early Wednesday morning near the 7-Eleven at Linden Street and Macada Road in Bethlehem, police said.

Louis Enrique Ortiz, 19; Ashley Horning, 17; and Ashley Eskaff, 17, all of Bethlehem, were arraigned on five counts each of robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

Ortiz was also charged with five counts each of theft, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats, simple assault and possessing instruments of a crime.

A judge set bail for each suspect at $100,000. They were committed to the Northampton County Prison to await their preliminary hearings.

Police believe the group is behind several 7-Eleven robberies in Bethlehem and the holdup of a car wash in Palmer Twp., Northampton Co.