Arrests made in Monroe break-ins

Pocono Mountain Regional police reported the arrest of three men they say were part of a burglary ring operating in the Monroe County area.

Arrested were Victor Tello, 20, Winston Campbell, 19, and Drew Baptiste, 19, all of Tobyhanna. The three have been charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy, possessing prohibited offensive weapons, carrying a firearm without a license and theft and related offenses. Tello and Campbell have had preliminary hearings on the charges which were all certified to the county court. Tello remains in custody on drug charges that developed out of the burglary investigation, police said.

Baptiste was arraigned this week on the charges after returning from Florida where he went after the probe began. He is free on bail pending a preliminary hearing.

During the course of the investigation of the burglaries and searches executed on the homes of Campbell and Tello police were able to establish that Tello was involved in drug dealing.

During the search of Tello's home on Aug. 10, 2010, police found the defendant, his 14-year-old sister and a Ronald Smith, 19, of Tobyhanna, in the home. Smith was found hiding in a closet. During the search police found numerous items indicative of drug trafficking.

As a result of a search warrant for illegal drugs Tello and Smith were both taken into custody and charged. Found in the home were several bags containing marijuana in bulk sizes consistent with drug selling, $1,618 in U.S. currency, and a 9mm handgun.

Both were charged with possession with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy-delivery, possession of marijuana and related drug offenses.

The investigation into the burglaries and the drug trafficking is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information concerning the probes is asked to call police at (570) 895-2400.