Hess Wants Out of Retail Gas Business: Report

Hess Corporation is planning to get out of the retail gas business, according to a published report.

The Hess Express gas station and convenience store at Route 378 and Black River Road in Lower Saucon Township was a port in the storm for many local residents during the blackout caused by Superstorm Sandy last year, when most businesses in the area were closed and gasoline was hard to find. That could change, however, if parent company Hess Corporation follows through on a plan to divest itself of retail gas operations; a plan that was reported on Tuesday by Bloomberg News and the Morning Call, among others. Hess spokesman Dennis Moynihan denied Tuesday that Hess is planning to close any of its stores and called it "business as usual" at the company's retail level. "Our commitment to competitive prices and customer services—it will not …

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Police Reports

Elderly Man's Pocket Picked at Gas Station, Police Say

Lower Saucon Township Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the two men who allegedly approached the victim at the Hess Express, 3622 Rt. 378, on Jan. 29.

An elderly man had his wallet stolen Jan. 29, after two men approached him after making a purchase inside the convenience store at the Hess Express gas station, 3622 Rt. 378, Lower Saucon Township, according to police. In a press release issued Tuesday, Lower Saucon Township Police Investigator Christopher B. Leidy said police are seeking the public's help in identifying the two men, one of whom allegedly removed the elderly victim's wallet from his pocket while his back was turned to them. Police--who released surveillance photos of the alleged pickpockets--said the men they hope to identify are black or Hispanic and in their mid 20s to 30s. Both men are about six feet tall with stocky builds, authorities added. The incident reportedly …

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Gas Station Employee Accused of Lottery Ticket Theft

Jacob Daniel Russ, of Palmer Township, has been charged with taking $600 in lottery tickets from the Bethlehem Township Hess Express where he works.

A 19-year-old employee of a Bethlehem Township gas station/convenience store has been charged with taking $600 in lottery tickets and $185 in cash from his employer. The alleged actions of Jacob Daniel Russ, of the 3200 block of Freemansburg Avenue, Palmer Township, were captured on surveillance video, court records say. The manager of the Hess Express at 3283 Easton Ave. told police the video shows Russ, a cashier at the store, removing the money from a “tac safe” around 9:40am Dec. 29. The “tac safe” stores a small amount of cash and coins under the cash registers in case cashiers need them, according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethlehem Township Patrolman Shaun Powell. The manager, who met with Powell on Friday, Jan. 4, said …

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Police Reports

Man Caused Incident at Hess Express, Police Say

Lower Saucon Township police say a Coopersburg man assaulted another patron at the Route 378 gas station Dec. 9.

On Dec. 9 at 3:13pm, Lower Saucon Township police responded to an alleged incident at Hess Express at 3622 Rt. 378. According to a police department press release issued Saturday, Francis Martin, of Coopersburg, struck another vehicle at the gas station's pumps. Police said Martin also "struck the operator of the other vehicle in the face." Authorities did not identify the individual who was assaulted or explain what provoked the incident, but said Martin has been charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

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