Man Receives Sentence For Three Southcoast Housebreaks

A Fall River man was sentenced to six years in state prison in connection with house breaks in Swansea, Somerset and New Bedford.

Gregg Miliote, Director of Communications for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, says 52-year-old Gregory Silverhus submitted an unagreed guilty plea on Monday to a multiple count indictment charging him with breaking and entering, three count of receiving stolen property, two counts of larceny from a building, possession of burglarious tools, and assault and battery on a police officer.

The first break-in was reported on February 5, 2014 when Swansea Police where called to a home on Wilder St. after a homeowner come home to find her home had been broken into and ransacked.

A safe, purse, jewelry, cash, rosary beads, and perfume bottles were among the items missing from the home.

Neighbors told police they had seen a dark colored vehicle with New Hampshire license plates driving around the neighborhood just prior to the robbery.

Then on February 6, 2014 a homeowner on Alden Pl. told police house had been broken into and ransacked and that a computer, Xbox games, jewelry, NY Yankees ring, coins, sneakers, a laptop and cash were among the items stolen from the home.

Three days later Massachusetts State Police received calls a vehicle with New Hampshire license plates swerving and driving erratically on I-195.

Troopers stopped the vehicle and arrested Silverhus for operating under the influence.

They also found numerous items stolen during the recent house breaks in Somerset and Swansea.

While Silverhus was freed on bail New Bedford Police were called to Plainville Rd. on May 2, 2015 where they found a front door which was pried open.

Officers then saw Silverhus bringing a mountain bike from the garage.

Upon seeing the officers Silverhus ran through the garage and into the backyard.

Officers were able to take him into custody after deploying a taser.

Miliote says Silverhus kicked an officer in the shin as they were trying to remove the taser.

Silverhus has eight prior robbery-type convictions and served a 4 to five year state prison sentence beginning in 2007 on a similar breaking and entering case.

Upon his release from prison Silverhis must also serve two years of supervised probation.