Joshua Jakson Mercado, 20, and Leonardo Omar Pagan Ortiz, 26, were arrested following the robbery, which was reported between 12:50 p.m. and 12:55 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the convenience store at 415 South Main Street.
According to court documents filed by Shenandoah Police, Mercado allegedly entered the business carrying a firearm and confronted the clerk on duty.
Police allege Mercado pressed the muzzle of the firearm against the clerk and pushed her while entering the secured area where the cash registers were located. Mercado allegedly manipulated the registers and removed cash and vaping merchandise from the store.
A financial review determined that approximately $390 in cash was taken. The value of the missing merchandise was still pending when the criminal complaint was filed.
After leaving the store, Mercado allegedly entered a waiting vehicle driven by Pagan Ortiz. Police allege Pagan Ortiz knew Mercado had committed the robbery and drove him away from the scene through Schuylkill and Luzerne counties.
Descriptions of the suspect vehicle were distributed to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Hazleton Police later reported detecting the vehicle and said it was last seen traveling south on Route 924.
Pennsylvania State Police and officers from several assisting municipal departments subsequently stopped the vehicle in Brandonville, East Union Township. Mercado and Pagan Ortiz were both taken into custody.
Shenandoah Police were assisted during the investigation by Frackville, Mahanoy City and Butler Township police departments, along with Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville.
Mercado is charged with two first-degree felony counts of robbery and burglary, a third-degree felony count of criminal trespass, misdemeanor counts of theft, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and a summary count of harassment.
He was arraigned Sunday night by on-call Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli and committed to Schuylkill County Prison after bail was denied.
Pagan Ortiz is charged with one first-degree felony count of robbery. Police allege he conspired with Mercado by driving him to and from the scene.
Pagan Ortiz was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after he was unable to post $250,000 monetary bail set by Judge Tarantelli.
Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, September 3, before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.