NEWBURYPORT — Police are investigating whether a High Street man arrested Saturday afternoon minutes after allegedly breaking into three cars is responsible for a rash of car breaks that have plagued the South End of the city for weeks.
Brendan Robert Pike, 27, was arrested minutes after police allege he rifled through three cars in a short span parked on Marlboro, Water and Bromfield streets. He was apprehended by officers Nora Duggan, Ronald Senter and Sgt. Howard Adams on Water Street after police received a 911 call about a breaking and entering in progress.
Upon his arrest, Pike was searched; found on his person were several hundred dollars in cash, electronic items, $24 worth of loose change and stolen prescription drugs. Police also found an unknown amount of heroin on him as well, according to City Marshal Thomas Howard.
Pike, who has a lengthy criminal background according to police, was charged with three counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, three counts of larceny under $250, larceny over $250, heroin possession, possession of a class E substance (two counts) and possession of a class C substance. He was expected to be arraigned in Newburyport District Court yesterday.
“Obviously, we’re continuing our investigation to see if these breaks and him are related to the breaks we’ve had over the weeks,” Howard said.
Howard said most of the car breaks that have occurred over the last month have taken place during the evening as opposed to Pike’s mid-afternoon break-ins.
Over the last month, dozens of cars, including more than 12 in one week, were burglarized. In all cases, the cars rifled through were unlocked. While the breaks have occurred across the city, the highest concentration of incidents has taken place in the South End between Federal and Marlboro streets. Among the items reported stolen were iPods, GPS devices and jewelry, cash and loose change, according to police.
Those victimized are asked to report the theft, no matter how insignificant, to the Police Department. Anyone noticing suspicious behavior is also encouraged to call police. Those with information regarding the breaks are asked to call the department at 978-462-4411
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