2nd e-bike robbery case emerges for Hatfield man as earlier charges move toward trial

A Hatfield Township man already awaiting trial in connection with a violent e-bike robbery in Souderton is now facing a separate set of charges stemming from an earlier alleged e-bike theft in Upper Gwynedd Township.

Derek Oyola, 18, was charged Feb. 17, 2026 by Upper Gwynedd Township Police in connection with a Sept. 2, 2025 incident involving the reported theft of an electric bicycle from a residential property, according to a criminal complaint.  

Investigators allege the victim’s e-bike, charger, and helmet were taken from an unlocked detached garage sometime overnight.

According to the affidavit, the victim had arranged to sell the e-bike through Facebook Marketplace to a user later identified as “Jampi Ortiz,” who never showed for the transaction and subsequently blocked communication. '

Detectives later linked phone numbers and account data tied to that profile to Oyola, including location data placing a device associated with him near the victim’s Upper Gwynedd residence during the timeframe of the theft, police said.  

Further investigation, including witness identification and recovery of the stolen bike, led police to identify Oyola as the alleged actor.

Oyola was initially charged with felony burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and criminal trespass. 

At a preliminary hearing April 7, the burglary charge was withdrawn, while the remaining felony counts were held for court. 

He is free on $5,000 unsecured bail, with formal arraignment scheduled for May 13 and a pre-trial conference set for July 17 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court before Common Pleas Judge William R. Carpenter.

The case predates — but now runs parallel to — a separate prosecution out of Souderton Borough, where Oyola is accused of participating in a Sept. 22, 2025 robbery and assault at Souderton Community Park. 

In that case, police allege Oyola and a co-defendant knocked a teen off an electric bicycle and struck him before fleeing with the bike. Oyola later turned himself in and allegedly admitted involvement, according to the complaint. 

He faces felony robbery and related charges and is awaiting further court proceedings in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on July 8 before Common Pleas Judge Todd Eisenberg.

The two cases, occurring roughly three weeks apart, now place Oyola at the center of multiple alleged e-bike-related incidents across Montgomery County as both matters proceed through the court system.

All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This report is based on public court records and police affidavits.