Crime & Safety
George Washington Pleads Guilty to Burglary Spree
George Washington had been charged along with his brother in more than 100 burglaries, including several in South Whitehall.
Accused burglar George Washington, who police said had broken into in South Whitehall over 15 months, pleaded guilty today, July 9, in Lehigh County Court, according to a Morning Call report.
Washington, 29, of Allentown, had been charged along with his brother with more than 100 burglaries and attempted burglaries in five counties, including Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
Washington's brother, Angel Miguel Vargas, 31, also of Allentown, w to 20 to 40 years in jail for his role in the cases and ordered to pay $101,703 in restitution.
Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Washington's guilty plea eliminates the need for a trial, which was scheduled to start today, July 9, before Lehigh County Judge Maria Dantos.
Washington is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 22, the report said.
Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The burglaries and attempted burglaries, including several in South Whitehall, took place from October 2009 through January 2011.
The brothers had faced charges for at 4141 W. Tilghman St., South Whitehall, on Sept. 5, 2010 and stealing $5,083 work of cigarettes and $379 worth of smokeless tobacco and causing $2,155 in damage. The men had been accused of committing seven other burglaries or attempted burglaries in South Whitehall, including at , , , Village West Cleaners, , Drop N Clean, and Studio 2 Hair Salon.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.