A Shenandoah man is behind bars on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an alleged assault and robbery at a local cellphone store on Saturday morning, December 27, 2025, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
According to court documents, the incident occurred around 10:50 a.m. at the T-Mobile store located at 35 South Main Street in Shenandoah Borough.
Troopers from PSP Frackville responded to the store for a report of an employee being assaulted. Upon arrival, troopers made contact with the victim, an employee of the store.
The employee told police that a Hispanic male wearing a red sweatshirt and jeans, later identified as 36-year-old Eric No Morales Barreto of Shenandoah, entered the store acting erratically and appeared to be under the influence of a substance. Morales Barreto allegedly demanded a “free phone” and accused the employee of stealing a cellphone that Morales Barreto claimed was ordered online by a relative.
According to the affidavit, Morales Barreto returned to the store around 10:50 a.m. and went behind the counter, where he became involved in a physical altercation with the employee. During the struggle, Morales Barreto allegedly grabbed the victim’s personal cellphone, valued at approximately $650, and took it by force.
Police say the victim placed Morales Barreto in a headlock and slammed him to the ground, allowing him to regain possession of his phone. The employee then went next door to call 911. When he returned, Morales Barreto had regained consciousness, allegedly trashed the store, briefly exited, re-entered to hide inside the store for several minutes, and then fled on foot.
The employee reported that Morales Barreto sustained a large facial laceration when his head struck the ground. The victim also said he injured his elbow during the altercation but did not require medical treatment.
Troopers later responded to Morales Barreto’s last known address on South White Street. After being directed to another nearby residence, troopers located him wearing clothing matching the victim’s description and holding a broken cellphone. Police observed Morales Barreto with a fresh facial injury consistent with the reported altercation.
Morales Barreto was taken into custody without incident. Police noted that he appeared lethargic and incoherent, showed signs of impairment, and was unable to answer basic questions. He was evaluated by EMS at PSP Frackville and transported to Lehigh Valley Medical Center East for treatment.
Morales Barreto, has been charged with the following offenses:
- Robbery – Taking Property from Another by Force (F3)
- Disorderly Conduct – Engage in Fighting (M3)
- Theft by Unlawful Taking – Movable Property (M1)
- Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact (Summary)
- Simple Assault (M2)
- Public Drunkenness and Similar Misconduct (Summary)
He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli and committed to Schuylkill County Prison after failing to post $75,000 straight cash bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 29, 2026, before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker.