Police: Brothers Took Cash, Cigarettes in Salisbury Robberies

Cigarettes and money.

That's allegedly what two brothers, charged in a , took from a gas station, pet store and restaurant in Salisbury Township in 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 July 6 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 burglaries or attempted burglaries in Salisbury as follows:

• 3400 Lehigh St.

Police said the front window was smashed on Sept. 5, 2010; the cash register was partially pried open and the safe was forced open, nothing was stolen. Total damages: $500.

• 3300 Lehigh St.

Police said the front window was smashed on Nov. 8, 2010; nothing was stolen. A witness observed a vehicle parked in front of his house at the time of his burglary, police said. The witness said a black male wearing a black hoodie was standing outside the vehicle and another male was walking along a fence line and got in the car with the other male. The vehicle was registered to George Washington's girlfriend, Gloria Arroyo. Police said nothing was removed; total damages: $855.

• Shell Quick Stop, 1132 S. Cedar Crest Blvd.

Police said entry was gained through smashed glass front door; two cash registers, $700 and 15 packs of Newport cigarettes were stolen. Video surveillance showed two males, one with a thin build wore a black ski mask, and what appeared to be a dark sweatshirt under a dark jacket, dark shoes and dark gloves with white on top; he carried a large yellow pry bar and a red dry cleaning bag. The other man had a heavy build and wore a black ski mask, gray or light sweatshirt with hood, dark pants and shoes, carrying a blue dry cleaning bag, police said. Total amount stolen: $2,340; total damages:$325.

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.