A local man is facing felony charges following a quick investigation into a commercial vehicle break-in and subsequent theft in town.
According to police, officers responded to MC Electric on Church Street on Thursday, Oct. 22, following reports of a breaking and entering into two work vehicles. The business owner reported that a substantial amount of equipment had been taken, including power tools, batteries, accessories, and roughly 2,600 feet of electrical wire.
Quick Clues Lead Police to Suspect
Investigators quickly caught a break when some of the stolen property was discovered abandoned on the sidewalk directly in front of Muffler & Brake on Church Street. Witnesses and police inquiries revealed that a man had been asking about the items at the scene. Officers subsequently identified him as Edward Bernardo, 45, of Central Avenue.
Two days after the initial break-in, detectives secured surveillance footage showing Bernardo pushing a shopping cart onto his residential property and entering a backyard shed.
Stolen Equipment Recovered
Armed with the footage, detectives searched the shed and uncovered a large quantity of Milwaukee brand tools and electrical wire matching the description of the items stolen from MC Electric. The stolen property was successfully recovered and returned to its owner.
Bernardo was placed under arrest and has been charged with:
- Two counts of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle at night
- Larceny over $1,200
