NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford police have arrested two men for car break-ins during separate incidents in recent days, with both suspects having extensive criminal histories.
On Jan. 26 at approximately 10 p.m., Sgt. Andy Simmons of the department’s narcotics unit was conducting surveillance in the west end when he observed a man trying the door handle of a parked vehicle near Sixth and School streets.
Simmons watched as the man moved on to another vehicle, opened the door, and entered.
The suspect, identified as Javier Mendez-Colon, 32, of 60 S. Second St., was found in possession of property belonging to the vehicle’s owner and was arrested.
Mendez-Colon was charged with breaking into a motor vehicle at night with the intent to commit a felony.
He has multiple prior convictions, including two for breaking and entering, and was on probation at the time of his arrest.
In a separate incident early this morning around 3:30 a.m. near Watson and Duke streets, a suspect smashed a vehicle’s quarter-glass window, entered the vehicle, and stole property.
The vehicle’s owner spotted the suspect, who fled the scene.
At about 6 a.m., Officer Carlos Fernandes observed a man rummaging through a parked vehicle on Willow St. at the Bullock St. intersection.
The suspect, Walter Brewster, 55, of 103 Durfee St., attempted to flee but was caught and arrested after a brief foot chase and struggle.
Brewster was charged with two counts of breaking into a motor vehicle to commit a felony and resisting arrest.
Brewster’s criminal history includes convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny, possession of burglarious tools, and four previous cases of breaking and entering.
