A Coplay, North Whitehall Township, man was shot and killed by Allentown police after a robbery in Whitehall Township May 21.

The robbery at Whitehall Pharmacy, 4117 Main St., Egypt, occurred in the early morning. The pharmacy owner was shot by the suspect, identified as Joseph M. Hodgin, 43.

According to a news release from Allentown Police Department, Hodgin fled the scene of the robbery toward Allentown in a white pickup truck. Allentown police were notified, located the pickup truck at 10th and Chew streets and attempted to stop the vehicle.

Officers called for police backup, the report stated.

As the pickup fled the scene, it struck two Allentown police vehicles and was ultimately stopped at 19th and Green streets.

When police attempted to apprehend Hodgin, he allegedly pointed his gun at the officers, the report said.

Allentown police officers then fired at Hodgin. He died at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township.

One officer sustained minor injuries when his vehicle was struck by Hodgin’s pickup truck.

At press time, the pharmacy owner was listed in stable condition and, according to Whitehall Township Police Chief Michael Marks, is improving.

According to a news release from Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, Hodgin was pronounced dead 9:22 a.m. The cause of death is attributed to multiple gunshot wounds to the body. The manner of death is pending the investigation, underway by Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, the county district attorney’s office, county coroner’s office and Allentown police.

Two additional robberies occurred in Whitehall Township last week.

According to a news release from Whitehall Township Police Department, a robbery took place May 17 at Dunkin’ Donuts, 2364 MacArthur Road.

Officers responded around 9 a.m. to a call that a white male had displayed a handgun and demanded money. He then fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Additionally, around 12:30 p.m. May 19 at Sunoco, 2304 MacArthur Road, township officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in which a male also displayed a handgun and demanded money. He fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash, the release said.

Whitehall Township Police Lt. James L. Lucus said the robberies at Dunkin’ Donuts and Sunoco may be related.

Marks said, as the investigation continues, there is a possibility the three robberies are related.