Police: Brothers Took Myriad of Items in Upper Macungie Burglaries

Two brothers charged primarily allegedly took cash and other items from a gas station, two dry cleaners, several restaurants and other businesses in Upper Macungie from Jan. 9, 2010 to Dec. 18 2010.

Brothers George Washington, 28, and Angel Miguel Vargas, 30, who lived at 318 N. Second St., Allentown, have been charged in more than 100 burglaries over 15 months. The charges were announced last week by Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin.

According to an arrest affidavit filed in the case with District Judge David Howells, the men together committed nine burglaries or attempted burglaries in Upper Macungie as follows:

Asian Bistros, 7441 Hamilton St.

When: 3:21 a.m. on Jan 9, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $0

Total damages: $500

Police say the men smashed a glass window with a cinder block to enter. Police said nothing was stolen.

Miers Beverage Center, 6842 Hamilton Blvd.

When: 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 5, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $0

Total damages: $300.

Police say rear door on east side of building was unsecured and a window was broken. Police said business has an alarm system and nothing was stolen.

, 7525 Tilghman St.

When: June 9, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $20

Total damages: $500.

Police say entry was gained by smashing front door where $20 in coin was stolen from the cash register.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 7150 Hamilton Blvd.

When: Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., August 28, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $1,619.20

Total damages: $500.

Police say entry was gained by smashing drive-through window. Police say suspects forced open an office door that contained a safe containing money. Safe was later found at 400 block of Keats St., Allentown.

Inc, 6561 Tilghman St.

When: 2 a.m., Nov, 18, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $600.

Total damages: $70.

Police say entry was gained by cutting two window screens and going through an unlocked rear window. Police say suspects stole several lobsters, paper plates, pierogies, a laptop computer and two donation jars with an unknown amount of money.

Sunoco, 5197 Tilghman St.

When: 2:50 a.m., Nov. 18, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $360.

Total damages: $1,300.

Police say entry was gained by smashing front door glass and lights. Suspects took six cartons of cigarettes.

, 7525 Tilghman St.

When: Between 6:45 p.m. and 8:40 a.m., Dec. 17-18, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $400.

Total damages: $250.

Police say entry was gained by smashing rear door glass and reaching in to unlock door. Police said a Sanyo cash register containing $150 was stolen.

, 7525 Tilghman St.

When: Between 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 a.m. Dec. 17-18, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $1,180.

Total damages: $250.

Police say entry was gained by smashing glass out of rear steel door. Police say suspects took a Sony camcorder, a tool box and three boxes.

, 7720 Main St., Fogelsville

When: Between 10 p.m. and 8 p.m., Dec. 17-18, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $570

Total damages: $500.

Police say entry was gained by smashing front door glass. Police say suspects took $200 in cash and 37 charm bracelets.

, 7720 Main St., Fogelsville

When: Between 10 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. Dec. 17-18, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $150.

Total damages: $500.

Police say entry was gained by smashing front door glass. Police say suspects removed $150 in cash from the register.

Police said some of the items were recovered.

The district attorney's office said last week that the cases in the five counties (Lehigh, Northampton, Schuylkill, Berks and Luzerne) are being consolidated.

In all, Washington has been charged with 108 counts of burglary, 93 counts of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, 16 counts of attempted burglary, and multiple counts of theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and conspiracy to commit theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

Vargas has been charged with 93 counts of burglary, 93 counts of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, nine counts of attempted burglary, and multiple counts of theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and conspiracy to commit theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.