A trip to the casino took a dark and criminal turn this weekend, resulting in the arrest of two Monroe County men following a robbery at a local Sheetz convenience store.
According to a report by Max Augugliaro for the Pocono Record, the Pocono Township Police Department (PTPD) has taken Andre D. Knighton, 49, of Pocono Summit, and Anthony Pena Vega, 42, of Tobyhanna, into custody in connection with the early morning incident on July 12, 2026.
The Timeline of the Incident
Law enforcement officials were alerted to the crime shortly after it occurred. According to the criminal complaint, PTPD officers were dispatched to the Swiftwater Sheetz location at 3:01 a.m.
An investigation—bolstered by surveillance footage and witness statements—helped authorities piece together the following timeline:
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2:49 a.m.: A red Chevrolet Impala arrived at the gas station.
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2:57 a.m.: Two men, later identified as Knighton and Pena Vega, exited the vehicle and entered the convenience store.
Motive Alleged
While the investigation into the specific details of the robbery continues, authorities allege that the motivation behind the crime was rooted in financial desperation. Preliminary information indicates that the two men had reportedly lost money at a casino shortly before arriving at the Sheetz to commit the robbery.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the often-devastating consequences that can arise when personal losses spiral into criminal desperation.
For more information on this developing story, stay tuned to the Pocono Record.
