New Bedford Man Arrested in Connection with Series of Car Break-Ins

SWANSEA — Swansea Police have arrested a New Bedford man who allegedly broke into vehicles in multiple communities.

In July of 2017 Swansea Police, along with other departments, had several vehicles broken into. Through investigation, officers identified Marcellino Alves, 60, of 97 Willis Street in New Bedford as the suspect. Alves was charged with these crimes and did not show up for court. Default warrants were then issued.

Over the last few months, Alves has been on an interstate crime spree breaking into vehicles. Alves was identified as the suspect in breaking into six vehicles in Swansea, as well as multiple vehicles in Seekonk, Dartmouth, North Attleboro and Bristol, Rhode Island. Alves had nine active warrants in Massachusetts and six in Rhode Island for his arrest and failure to appear.

“Be on the Lookout” (BOLOS) were distributed throughout the region to be on the lookout for Alves and the vehicle he was suspected of driving. On June 13, Dartmouth Police Officer Kevin DaCosta, while off-duty, spotted Alves on Route 195, and was able to notify area officers of the vehicles location. Detectives with the South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Counsel (SEMLEC) from Swansea, Seekonk and Mattapoisett involved in investigating these crimes were able to identify a location in New Bedford where Alves was living.

This morning at 10:45 a.m., Alves was taken into custody outside his New Bedford home. During the arrest, officers discovered suspected stolen property from car breaks they had been investigating.

Participating in the investigation were: Swansea Detective Keith Chomka and Patrolman Jared Ulak; Seekonk Detectives David Mahoney, Nicholas Peterson and Charles Mello; and Mattapoisett Detective Scott Leblanc.

Alves was booked by Swansea Police and transported to Fall River District Court for arraignment.

--Swansea Police