ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An Allentown man who was part of a burglary ring that included stolen items valued at more than $160,000 learned his sentence.
Roger Juan Tirado, 53, pleaded guilty April 6 to felony charges of Corrupt Organizations, Receiving Stolen Property, Person Not to Possess a Firearm and 16 counts of Burglary, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
In a hearing Thursday, Judge Robert L. Steinberg sentenced Tirado to serve 14 to 30 years in state prison, the DA’s office said.
In 2024, Tirado was one of several people charged in a burglary ring, the DA’s office said.
The DA’s office said the crimes occurred in Lehigh, Berks and Northampton counties as well as at least one home in New Jersey.
Beginning in 2019, Lehigh County law enforcement agencies were investigating burglaries and attempted burglaries at homes in Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Lower Macungie Township, Salisbury Township, South Whitehall Township, Upper Saucon Township, Upper Milford Township and Whitehall Township, according to the news release.
The DA’s office said Investigators noted distinct patterns with the burglaries with entry made by prying open doors, windows, or entering through an unlocked door.
Most of the burglaries happened during daylight hours and in several cases, residents and children were home at the time the crimes happened, and the defendants ran away after being discovered, the DA’s office said.
According to the DA’s office, the items recovered included more than 30 firearms, jewelry, coins, financial documents, and electronics.
The DA’s office said several other defendants charged had previously pleaded guilty.
One defendant, Jonathan Mendez, remains at large, the DA’s office said. Another defendant is awaiting a hearing to determine competency.