Police arrested four people early Wednesday during an attempted break\u2011in at a Spring Township convenience store, part of a broader investigation into a burglary ring accused of recently stealing six Pennsylvania Skill game machines from four Berks County businesses.<\/p>\n
Wyomissing detectives said the burglaries occurred between Aug. 27 and Tuesday. The machines, valued at about $3,000 each, contained a combined $45,422 in cash.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday about 2:30 a.m., during a coordinated stakeout by state and local police, two men were seen prying open the front door of the Sunoco A Plus, 3100 State Hill Road, investigators said.<\/p>\n
The suspects \u2014 Adonis Orta Rivera, 41, and Luis Miranda, 29, both of Reading \u2014 were taken into custody at the scene.<\/p>\n
Officers also detained two people in a nearby parked SUV believed to be serving as lookouts: Daniel Velez, 43, and Tytoya Rowles, 46, both of Reading.<\/p>\n
All four were interviewed and later arraigned before District Judge Ann L. Young in Reading Central Court.<\/p>\n
Orta Rivera, Miranda and Velez were each charged with six counts of conspiracy to commit burglary. Bail for each was set at $50,000. Court records show Velez posted bail, while Rivera and Miranda were committed to Berks County Jail.<\/p>\n
Rowles was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.<\/p>\n
According to the probable cause affidavit:<\/p>\n
On Aug. 27 about 11:30 p.m., Wyomissing police responded to Kwik Stop, 1912 State Hill Road, for a burglar alarm. Officers discovered the front door had been forced open and a Pennsylvania Skill machine stolen had been stolen.<\/p>\n
Detective Joseph Klatt later identified several similar burglaries:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Shillington Laundromat, Shillington: Sept. 8 about 10 p.m.; two machines taken.<\/p>\n
\u2022 SuperSuds Laundromat, Reading: Sept. 13 at 3 a.m.; one machine taken.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Food Mart, Fleetwood: Sept. 17 about 2:30 a.m.; two machines broken into.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Albright Laundromat, Reading: Monday about 4 a.m.; two machines taken, one recovered nearby.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mari\u2019s Six Pac N Mor, Reading: Tuesday shortly before 2 a.m.; suspects fled empty\u2011handed after hearing the alarm.<\/p>\n
Investigators said the stolen machines contained as much as $15,500 each.<\/p>\n
Velez, identified by co\u2011defendants as the ringleader, allegedly targeted machines he believed were full of cash based on his experience gambling on specific skill games.<\/p>\n
Rivera told investigators that Velez paid him $2,000 for each successful burglary.<\/p>\n
Rowles said she was paid in cash and cocaine for the use of her SUV and also acted as an additional lookout in another vehicle.<\/p>\n
Berks County District John T. Adams has lamented the proliferation of the machines in corner stores and laundries, saying they are magnets for crime.<\/p>\n