Montgomery County Rooftop Burglar Who Stole More Than $100K Arrested: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA -- A man responsible for five rooftop burglaries across the county, in several of which he rappelled ninja-like from the ceiling into the business, has been arrested, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

Jose Vanegas, 44, of Malvern, was arrested on April 12 and charged with multiple counts of burglary, criminal trespass, criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, and related charges, according to the DA.

Through their investigation, authorities uncovered that Vanegas had a 17-year-old accomplice, a Guatemalan national from Norristown, who served as a lookout while he was inside the businesses, the DA said.

The rooftop burglaries represented an oddity in Montgomery County crime, starting with the burglary of the King of Prussia Costco on Feb. 6. Vanegas rappelled from the rooftop's skylight down into the store. He made away with $82,000 in jewelry that night, the DA said.

A second incident occurred on Feb. 13 at the Patel Food Market in Montgomery Township, when Vanegas climbed into the store via the duct work on the roof. Around $700 was stolen, according to authorities.

Just two days later, Vanegas was at it again, climbing through the duct work at the Lansdale Meats and Deli in Hatfield Township on Feb. 15. He made away with $12,000 in cash and a handgun.

There were two other incidents, previously unreported, that occurred in Norristown leading up to March 5 and which Vanegas is being charged with, police said. The first was at the Cinco de Mayo Supermarket in Norristown, where he smashed the front door to get $6,600 in cash and Guatemalan phone cards. The second was at the Norris Beer Deli, where he climbed a drain pipe into a third-floor window to retrieve $1,000 cash, the DA said.

Police were able to eventually track down Vanegas by analyzing cellular tower data and finding cell phone numbers that were within the nearby area of the businesses where the crimes occurred. His co-conspirator was arrested on a drug possession charge on March 6 and authorities linked him to the crimes.

Vanegas, who lives on Lancaster Avenue in Malvern with his girlfriend and children, also owns a landscaping company called Poloros Landscaping.

He failed to make $99,000 bail and was sent to Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for April 25.

Police from Hatfield, Montgomery Township, Upper Merion, Norristown, and Lower Salford all contributed to the investigation.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office