Man out on bail in Bucks County arson case now charged with drug trafficking

BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- A months-long drug investigation in Bucks County led to the arrest of a Croydon man and the seizure of 20 guns, a pound of methamphetamine and other drugs, Bensalem police said.

Charles Vandenberg, 50, was already awaiting trial on arson charges when Bensalem police arrested him following the drug investigation.

Investigators then searched his home, where they recovered six handguns, nine rifles and five shotguns, along with ammunition, a bulletproof vest, a pound of methamphetamine, numerous pills and other drug paraphernalia.

One of the recovered handguns had its serial number removed and was equipped with a drum-style magazine.

Vandenberg is accused of being at the center of a drug trafficking operation that distributed large amounts of methamphetamine across Bucks County.

The arrest comes about a year after Vandenberg was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a vehicle owned by the mother of his child, who lived in Bristol. The fire spread to the woman's home, which burned to the ground.

Vandenberg and two co-defendants were arrested in connection with that case. Vandenberg later posted bail.

Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said cases like Vandenberg's are an example of why he enacted a new policy allowing his office the leeway to deny bail to criminal suspects it considers a threat to the public.

"It really ought to be the case, if you're a danger to the community, that you shouldn't be able to buy your way out of trouble," Khan said.