Alleged Burglars of Joe's, Papa Rossi's Pizza Shops Charged

Three men who were originally arrested and charged with the burglary of Sam's Pizza on Route 873 in North Whitehall have been charged with 31 additional burglaries and two attempted burglaries of businesses in Lehigh and three other counties, state police at Bethlehem and the Lehigh County District Attorney's office said Wednesday in a news release.

Two of the burglaries were at Emmaus-area pizza shops. Another was at a state liquor state in Montgomery County, authorities said. And the break-in method at all locations appeared to be the same -- a rock or something similar thrown through front doors.

Jose Antonio Cortes, 22, of 943 1/2 Fifth St., Allentown; Ralph Alberto Abreu, 21, of no known address, and Alex Ramos, 23, of 153 W. Court St., Allentown, are charged with thefts totaling $21,415 and criminal mischief totaling $33,721 worth of damage, police said. 

The three are also charged with multiple counts of criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property, according to the district attorney's office, which was involved in the investigation with state police and Whitehall Township police.

The burglaries occurred at commercial businesses, most in Lehigh County, between 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. from May 29 to July 19, police said.

The men allegedly removed cash registers, cigarette cartons and packs, change jars and cash and coins, police said.

Police began sharing information after they noticed "a definitive upswing" in commercial burglaries in Allentown and surrounding municipalities, according to a news release. 

Authorities noticed similarities in the suspected burglars' clothing from video surveillance footage and witness reports, and in their break-in method.

"In all cases, a rock or similar object was thrown at the front glass door of the commercial establishment to gain entry," the release said.

At 8 a.m. July 19, a woman called police to report she saw an apparent burglary at Sam's Pizza and the men escape in a white car, the release said. She provided the license plate number, which police said matched the description of 1996 white Honda that had been seen on video in a previous burglary.

Trooper Brett Miller was en route to the crime scene at Sam's Pizza when he saw an older white sedan pass him in the opposite direction, police said. Miller turned around, confirmed the license plate number, and arrested Cortes, Abreu and Ramos.

The three have been in Lehigh County Prison since they were charged and arraigned July 19 in connection with the Sam's Pizza burglary. They were to be arraigned Wednesday at Lehigh County Central Booking in connection with the most recent charges, according to police.

In addition to Sam's Pizza, 5041 Route 873, Schnecksville, the burglaries and attempted burglaries occurred at these locations:

■      Pantry One, 822 Race St., Catasauqua;

■      China King, 1901 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown;

■      Penn Pizza, 1001 N. 19th St., Allentown;

■      Hess Express, 1043 Lehigh St., Allentown;

■      Jacks Pizza, 155 Tilghman St., Allentown;

■      Subway, 1525 Easton Ave., Bethlehem;

■      TLC’s Polish Water Ice, 2355 Old Post Road, North Whitehall Township;

■      D&K Market, 1492 Main St., North Catasauqua;

■      Primo Pizza, 2431 Emmaus Ave., Allentown;

■      Raadicals Restaurant, 123 Chestnut St., Coplay;

■      Vesuvio’s Pizza, 1604 S. Fourth St., Allentown;

■      Burger Shack, 2011 N. First Ave., Whitehall Township;

■      Joe’s Pizza II, 578 Chestnut St., Emmaus;

■      Mario’s Pizza, 851 Main St., Northampton;

■      China King, 5503 MacArthur Road, Whitehall Township;

■      Angel’s Pizza, 5511 MacArthur Road, Whitehall Township;

■      La Placita, 158 N. 12th St., Allentown;

■      Difiore Pizza, 5608 Route 873, North Whitehall Township;

■      Geiger’s Market, 3001 S. Second St., Whitehall Township;

■      Papa Rossi’s Pizzeria, 3851 Main Road East, Upper Milford Township;

■      Subway, 3337 Hamilton Blvd., South Whitehall Township;

■      Mario’s Pizza Café, 3335 Hamilton Blvd., South Whitehall Township;

■      Dorneyville Beverage, 3339 Hamilton Blvd., South Whitehall Township;

■      Mama’s Pizza, 2228 Old Post Road, North Whitehall Township;

■      Kornfiend’s Market, 2228 Old Post Road, North Whitehall Township;

■      Subway, 325 E. Main St., Macungie;

■      Hess Station, 2161 S. First Ave., Whitehall Township;

■      Shell Station, 6391 Route 309, New Tripoli Plaza, Heidelberg Township;

■      Subway, 6391 Route 309, New Tripoli Plaza, Heidelberg Township;

■      Pennsylvania Liquor Store, 1050 E. Philadelphia Ave., Douglass Township, Montgomery County;

■      Marco’s Pizza, 1050 E. Philadelphia Ave., Douglass Township, Montgomery County;

■      China King, 1050 E. Philadelphia Ave., Douglass Township, Montgomery County;

■      PaPa Bernard’s Pizzeria, 801 N. Route 100, Colebrookdale Township, Berks County.