New Bedford Police Arrest Alleged Serial Car Break-in Suspect

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police have taken a man with a criminal history suspected of allegedly breaking into vehicles and also charged him with additional break-ins from earlier in the month.

On Wednesday, 28, at around 1:30 a.m., officers were called to Fulton Street and Rockdale Avenue for a suspicious male checking car door handles.

The suspect was behind a barbershop before hopping a fence and attempting to flee the scene. Officers then intercepted him in a nearby parking lot.

Get our free mobile app

The male was identified as Leocadio Rivera,34, who police said is homeless.

Further investigation revealed that Rivera had been spotted on video surveillance checking door handles on Fulton Street, where a vehicle that was broken into was located. An additional vehicle that had been rummaged through was discovered on Stackhouse Street.

Rivera was placed under arrest and charged with two counts of breaking into motor vehicles, possession of burglarized tools, larceny, and possession of a knife.

This was the second time that Rivera has been charged with such activity in the last two weeks.

On February 11, North End officers were notified of a suspicious male checking door handles in the area of Princeton Street. Rivera was stopped by officers and found to be in possession of stolen property and burglarized tools.

As a result, he was charged with breaking and entering into a vehicle at night, receiving stolen property and larceny of a motor vehicle, among other charges.

Rivera has an extensive criminal history with convictions for a variety of offenses, including larceny, assault and battery, destruction of property, and breaking and entering.