An Allentown man pleaded guilty to his part in what authorities described as “a large-scale burglary ring that targeted numerous homes in Lehigh County and the surrounding areas,” according to a press release dated April 9.

Roger Juan Tirado, 53, pleaded guilty April 6 to felony charges of alleged corrupt organizations, receiving stolen property, person not to possess a firearm and 16 counts of burglary.

Tirado is scheduled to be sentenced June 4.

His sentence may range from 137 ½ to 357 years, according to authorities.

“In 2024, Tirado was one of several people charged in a burglary ring that included stolen items valued at more than $160,000 and crimes that occurred in Lehigh, Berks and Northampton counties as well at least one home in New Jersey,” according to the press release.

Lehigh County law enforcement agencies started 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 in 2019.

Patterns were noticed in methods used in the burglaries such as:

• Prying open doors and windows to get in or getting in through an unlocked door

• Breaking in during daylight hours

• Breaking in when residents and children were home

“Items recovered included more than 30 firearms, jewelry, coins, financial documents and electronics,” according to the press release.

Several other defendants charged in this investigation had previously pleaded guilty.

Additional investigating agencies include Pennsylvania State Police and Whitehall Township Police and South Whitehall Township Police detectives.