WEBSTER — A 29-year-old Webster man was arrested early Thursday morning after police caught him breaking into a vehicle, following months of similar thefts in the area.
Gavin Barszcz of North Main Street faces multiple charges including breaking and entering into a vehicle in the nighttime for a felony and possession of burglarious tools.
Officer Sean Ebbeling spotted Barszcz walking on North Main Street around 2:41 a.m. while patrolling an area that had experienced numerous vehicle break-ins.
After observing suspicious behavior, Ebbeling watched as Barszcz attempted to open a car door handle at 8 Upland Ave before moving to a fenced area at 6 Upland Ave.
Officers Johnson and Blomgren arrived to assist, surrounding the property after Barszcz disappeared from view.
Officer Blomgren discovered Barszcz hiding in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that did not belong to him.
Upon searching the suspect, police found a multi-tool with an attached hammer, over $7 in change, car keys and a prescription medication bottle, which were confirmed to belong to the vehicle’s owner.
The arrest comes after Webster Police Department had taken over 20 reports of motor vehicle break-ins over several months, primarily in the North Main Street and Lake Street areas.
Two vehicles had also been stolen during this period, with one later recovered.
Police are asking anyone whose vehicle may have been broken into during the overnight hours of April 17 to contact Officer Ebbeling.
