Burglary Plague Continues in Bethlehem

Bandits continued to make off with televisions, laptop computers and cash, stealing their way through the holiday season as no less than five burglaries were reported to Bethlehem police on Tuesday.

Some were less successful than others, however.

Take for example, one black-clad man who took a 20-pound sledge hammer and broke the drive thru window to gain entry to the Kentucky Fried Chicken at 2571 Easton Ave. shortly before 2 a.m., police said.

According to police, the burglar then went right to the restaurant's safe and used the sledge hammer to try to smash it open. Without success, the burglar fled the scene empty-handed, police said.

Bono Pizza at 2980 Linden St., in the Macada Plaza shopping center, was the next target of burglars. A pair of bandits, dressed in black and wearing gloves and ski masks, broke into the restaurant a little before 6 a.m. and stole about $100 from the cash register, police said. They also took a flat screen television from the pizzeria's wall.

Burglars also went television shopping at the home of Jennifer Green, 328 W. Fourth St., forcing open a side door to the home between 12:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., police said. They also grabbed a video game console on their way out.

Two televisions, three laptop computers, $20 in change and a security camera were stolen from the home of Awilda Rosado, 521 Ontario St., between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., police said. The home was entered through a first floor window with a broken lock, police said.

One would-be burglar was scared off by Nick Rocha, who happened to be home at 122 W. Graham Place when someone tried to enter the residence at about 12:30 p.m., police said.

No arrests were reported in any of the incidents.

Police have said that a recent spate of armed robberies and break-ins may be related to the violent Bloods street gang.