A Luzerne County man has been charged for his role in a burglary at a business in Monroe County.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by State Police at Fern Ridge in the case against Michael Ferreira:

At 2:55 a.m. Jan. 20, police were dispatched to the West End Tobacco Shop in the 1400 block of Route 209, Chestnuthill Township, for reports of a burglary.

Surveillance video revealed two men wearing all black clothing, backpacks, and skull-type masks, attempted to enter the store via the front door that was locked.

One smashed the front door with a baton-type weapon. They entered the store, smashing multiple glass cases and stole an unknown amount of THC vape cartridges.

State police at Lehighton were dispatched to the area of Mount Eaton Road, Ross Township, where a complainant said two men wearing similar clothing and matching the description of the burglar suspects were near the residence in an older model Jeep Cherokee bearing an unknown registration.

Trooper Gabrielle Van Wie interviewed a man from Saylorsburg at the PSP Fern Ridge barracks who said that his 18-year-old son, Dominick Meli, stated he broke into a vape shop and stole items.

He said he and his two friends broke into a vape shop, located in Brodheadsville next to Dunkelberger’s Sports Outfitter, stole items, and drove away.

Meli’s father said he didn’t know what type of vehicle was used in the crime, but said that two friends who were with his son were “Bernie” and “Mike.”

Meli’s father said the three wore masks and gloves. He said Meli is diagnosed with autism, stating he is high functioning.

Meli’s father said Meli worked at McDonald’s, but quit three days earlier.

Meli told police that Ferreira drove him, and his friends to West End Tobacco and Vapes, dropped them off behind Dunkelberger’s Sports Outfitter and they then walked over to the store, where his friend smashed the front door glass with a hammer and then they proceeded to enter the building and grab vape pens and vape cartridges, which were placed into backpacks.

Meli said that he and his friend were inside the store for about one minute and ran toward Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, where they were picked up.

Meli said that Ferreira, 20, of Wilkes-Barre, transported him and his friends to one of their residences, where they spent the night.

Meli said that when he arrived home he told his father who brought him to PSP Fern Ridge to confess.

On Jan. 21, Weinstock traveled to Meli’s friend’s residence. Meli’s friend admitted he was one of the people who had burglarized the vape store and said that the stolen items were located in his room and the hammer used to gain entry into the business was located in the shed. All items were seized and entered into evidence at PSP Fern Ridge.

Meli’s friend, a 17-year-old juvenile, was interviewed in the presence of his mother and admitted to the burglary.

The 17-year-old said that he was on his cellphone and had watched a video on the mobile application, Tik Tok, of a burglary being committed and he felt like he needed to do this as well.

Meli and Ferreira face charges of burglary; criminal trespass; theft by unlawful taking; receiving stolen property; and criminal mischief.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled April 14 before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.