Police say empty bottles led to beer thieves

DALLAS TWP. â?? Township police investigating a burglary at a beer distribution business arrested two men after following empty bottles and shoeprints in mud to a house party early Thursday morning.

Darin John Dixon, 18, of Highland Avenue, Shavertown, and John James Young, 21, of Hilltop Drive, Dallas, are charged with the break-in at Lakeway Beverage on state Route 118 at about 2 a.m.

Dixon was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, theft and false identification to law enforcement.

He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $7,000 bail.

Young was charged with burglary and theft. He was released on $7,000 unsecured bail.

According to the criminal complaints:

Police said a large window was smashed with distinct shoeprints on panes of broken glass.

Officers followed a trail of Smirnoff Mango Ice bottles and torn pieces of cardboard from Lakeway Beverage for about 100 yards to a residence where a party was being held.

Dixon, who identified himself using another name, was found sitting inside an outside shed.

Police said Dixon was wearing clothing that matched the description of the suspect recorded on a surveillance camera inside the business. He also wore shoes that matched the distinct print recovered from the broken window, the complaint says.

Young admitted to his role to the burglary, police said.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled on Dec. 27.