Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, Somerset Police responded to the Thelma Avenue area after a resident reported that someone had entered their vehicle and stolen several items.
The victim drove to the police station and reported the incident to Police Dispatcher Justin Santos. Officers immediately responded to the area and began a systematic search of the neighborhood. During their investigation, officers discovered that several additional vehicles had been entered.
Investigators determined that the suspects were likely traveling on foot and checking vehicles for unlocked doors. Stolen property was found along driveways and streets near several of the vehicles. Officers also identified exterior security cameras at several homes and spoke with the homeowners to gather additional information.
Police soon learned that three male suspects had been in the area approximately one hour earlier. Officers expanded their search north of the original location as evidence indicated the suspects were moving in that direction.
As officers continued north along Brayton Avenue toward the town line, they contacted the Swansea Police Department for assistance. Shortly afterward, officers observed three males running from the area as police approached.
Somerset Patrol Officer Lance Rhodes located and detained one of the males, a juvenile, who had attempted to hide from officers. Evidence linking the juvenile to the vehicle break-ins was recovered, and he was placed under arrest. Despite an extensive search of the surrounding neighborhood, the other two suspects were not located.
Officers continued their investigation throughout the morning. As residents awoke and discovered that their vehicles had been rummaged through, additional reports were taken. Police ultimately determined that approximately 20 to 25 vehicles had been entered during the overnight hours.
In each case, the suspects did not appear to force entry or damage the vehicles. Instead, they targeted vehicles that had been left unlocked. Police also recovered money and vehicle keys that the suspects apparently left behind and did not take.
The juvenile was later released into the custody of his parents. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Fall River Juvenile Court, where he is expected to face multiple counts of larceny and breaking and entering into vehicles. The investigation remains active as officers work to identify the two other suspects.
Police Chief William Tedford praised the responding officers for their rapid response and thorough investigation, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of stolen property. The responding officers included Sgt. Eli Fishbein and Patrol Officers Lance Rhodes, Stephens Lima, and Christopher Rodrigues. Chief Tedford also thanked the Swansea Police Department for its assistance.
The Somerset Police Department reminds residents that, although Somerset continues to experience a low level of crime, simple precautions can help prevent crimes of opportunity. Residents are encouraged to lock their vehicles and home doors and avoid leaving valuables inside unattended vehicles.
A locked vehicle is one of the simplest ways to help keep your property—and our community—safe.
