Bethlehem man charged

A 38-year-old man from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is behind bars after being accused of kidnapping and robbing an 84-year-old Wind Creek casino patron.

Sessoms now faces several charges and bail has been set at $1m

Hykeem Rasmeen Sessoms was caught soon after the incident took place, causing a lockdown of schools in the area during the chase. Sessoms now faces several charges and bail has been set at $1m.

Details of the attack

The elderly female victim was walking from the Wind Creek casino on Wednesday around 2pm when Sessoms approached her from behind. He told the woman he had a gun and demanded money. He allegedly attacked the woman, forcing her into her vehicle.

Sessoms sat in the backseat and ordered the victim to drive. While driving, Sessoms hit the victim in the head and again demanded money. He reportedly looked through her purse, but the victim only had $10 in cash.

As Sessoms forced the woman into her vehicle, an employee of the casino heard her scream, “I don’t have any money!” The employee went back inside to notify staff. At that time, the vehicle drove away from the property.

Fleeing the Scene

At one point while driving around, the suspect fled from the vehicle. Police responded to the area where Sessoms left the vehicle, which was Easton Avenue and Jennings Street. The search for the suspect began after a description was provided.

Police Chief Mark DiLuzio stated that the schools closer to the spot where Sessoms fled the vehicle, St. Anne School and Liberty High School, were aware of the incident and security protocols were enacted based on their policies.

“There was no threat to either school or any occupants,” according to the chief.

Police captured Sessoms hiding behind a vehicle on Easton Avenue. During a police interview later in the day, he told officers that he had not been at the Wind Creek casino. However, he later admitted to being there but not in the third floor garage. Police have footage of Sessoms from the casino, in the garage where the kidnapping occurred.

Police captured Sessoms hiding behind a vehicle on Easton Avenue

After the incident, the victim visited St. Luke’s Hospital-Anderson campus and medical staff treated her for a minor leg injury.

As for Sessoms, he is being at the Northampton County Prison with bail set at $1m. He faces several charges including kidnapping and robbery, theft, simple assault, receiving stolen property, and threat of serious bodily injury.