Police: Brothers Took Cigarettes, Money in South Whitehall Burglaries

Cigarettes and money.

That's allegedly what two brothers charged primarily took from a gas station, dry cleaners, a hair salon and other businesses in South Whitehall from March 5, 2010 to Dec. 26, 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 eight burglaries or attempted burglaries in South Whitehall as follows:

* , 4141 W. Tilghman St.

When: 1:41 a.m. on Sept. 5, 2010.

Total allegedly stolen: $5,083 worth of cigarettes, and $379 worth of smokeless tobacco. 

Total damages: $2,155.68

Police say the men smashed a glass window to enter. They say video surveillance show the men in dark clothing with a red pry bar and black-handled pry tool.

* Crystal Clear Cleaners, 3329 Hamilton Blvd.

When: Attempt made at 4:32 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2010

Police say witnesses saw a man, about 5-foot-11 in dark clothing and possibly wearing a mask, try to pry open a door with a large crow bar.

* Quick Stop, 1917 Walbert Ave.

When: 1:45 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2010

Amount allegedly stolen: $1,135.85, including 46 cartons of cigarettes, gum.

Damages: $500

Police say front door glass was smashed and that video surveillance shows two men in dark clothing and ski masks, one carrying a laundry bag that police say was later recovered.

*  Gloria Dry Cleaners, 4255 Tilghman St.

When: Between 6 p.m. Dec. 12, 2010 and 3:05 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2010.

Amount allegedly stolen: $450, including $200 from a cash register, and a computer tower

Damages: $500

* Village West Cleaners, 3024 Tilghman St.

When: 2:43 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2010 

Amount allegedly stolen: $300 from cash register

Damages: $500

Police said glass door smashed and that video surveillance showed man in dark clothing with a yellow pry bar and what appeared to be a laundry bag.

* , 4719 Tilghman St.

When: Between 1:30 a.m. and 3:08 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2010 

Amount allegedly stolen: $1,800, including four digital cameras and $1,500 from a safe.

Damages: $3,124

Police said the safe was recovered at a business next door; it had yellow pry marks.

* Drop N Clean, 4749 Tilghman St.

When: Sometime between 1:30 a.m and 3:16 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2010 

Amount allegedly stolen: $300

Damages: $425

Police say the safe from Tuesday Morning was found here. 

* Studio 2 Hair Salon, 3944 Hamilton Blvd.

When: 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2010.

Amount allegedly stolen: $800

Damages: $500

Police said cash register and file cabinet were pried open and that undetermined amount of money was also taken from employees' tip envelopes. A South Whitehall police officer said he saw two men in dark hoodies walking on the sidewalk in the 3900 block of Hamilton Boulevard just prior to the burglaries being discovered.

According to the arrest affidavit, Washington also twice burglarized First Step Daycare, 1525 N. 18^th St.:

* When: Sometime between 6 p.m. March 5, 2010 and 6:15 a.m. on March 8, 2010. Police said he entered through an unlocked kitchen window and allegedly took money, a check and bag of burritos. 

* When: Sometime between 6 p.m. March 23, 2010 and 6:15 a.m. on March 24.  Police said the back door window was broken, but nothing stolen. They said damage was $100.

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.