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Two Men Arrested In Burglary Spree Across 5 Counties, Over 100 Businesses Targeted

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Lehigh County officials have announced the arrest of two men in connection to more than 100 burglaries and attempted burglaries across five different counties.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, who worked in connection with Troop M, Fogelsville, Allentown Police and numerous municipal police departments, the two men, identified as George Washington, 28, and Angel Miguel Vargas, 30, have been connected to burglaries that occurred between October 2,2009, and January 7, 2011.

The total value of items stolen during that time period was estimated at over $140,000, in addition to over $76,000 worth of damage.

Police said the burglaries usually occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Washington and Vargas, who are brothers, lived on the 300 block of N. Second Street in Allentown. Both men were charged after an investigation of their residence was conducted and a connection was made between men witnessed on surveillance videos and the items found in the home.

According to the report, the two stole similar items in all of the burglaries. Laptop computers, cigarettes, televisions, cell phones, currency

and coins, cash registers and drawers, video games, gaming systems and accessories, food, clothing, safes, tools, two vehicles and a handgun.

The burglaries and attempted burglaries often occurred at child care centers, gas stations, hair and nail salons, barber shops, restaurants, markets, video stores, pet stores, convenience stores and dry cleaning businesses, many of which were targetted twice. The businesses were located in various townships spanning Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties.

Washington and Vargas were arrested on January 7, 2011. Washington has been charged with 108 counts of burglary, 93 counts of criminal conspiracy and various related charges. Vargas faces a similar range of charges.

Both men will be prosecuted in Lehigh County.

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