SCHENECTADY — A Schenectady man climbed through unlocked windows last summer at two city residences and masturbated in the presence of
children, authorities said Wednesday.
The man had no known connection to the residents of the homes, prosecutors said. The two break-ins were within blocks of his own residence,
according to the criminal complaints. The investigation is continuing.
Luis Vargas Jr., 22, of Division Street faces multiple felony charges in the two cases and remains in custody.
Vargas is accused of breaking into two Central State Street neighborhood residences last summer. In the first incident, he is accused of sliding through an open window of a residence early in the morning June 17, 2014, and masturbating next to an 11-year-old victim.
Vargas is also accused of attempting to subject the child to sexual contact. Other small children were sleeping nearby, according to the criminal
complaint.
Then, early on July 11, 2014, Vargas allegedly broke into another home in the neighborhood and masturbated in the presence of a 9-year-old victim.
The complaints don’t address how Vargas selected the homes.
Prosecutor Christina Tremante-Pelham said one of the victims was awake during the incident.
Schenectady police built their cases against Vargas through DNA evidence and a signed statement he gave police, according to the complaints.
In the June case, Vargas’ semen was recovered on the floor near the victim, police said.
Vargas faces one count each of second-degree burglary, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, in the Central State Street
case. He faces the same counts in the Hamilton Hill case, along with one count of first-degree attempted sexual abuse, a felony. More charges could be filed, police said.
Vargas is being held in the Schenectady County jail on $25,000 bail.
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