MARBLEHEAD, MASS. – Police in Marblehead, Mass., credit an “alert citizen” for thwarting a daytime burglary involving a New Hampshire duo, including a woman from Manchester.
According to a police narrative of the burglary, at about 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 a resident called police to report that a woman had come to her door saying her dog was lost and to call the police if the dog was located.
The resident told police she thought it was odd, especially since the car had out-of-state license plates, and so she phoned police to report the encounter. The resident provided a description of the woman and her male companion and their vehicle, including the license plate number. Officers were dispatched to investigate, but with no success.
Shortly before 2 p.m., officers responded to a burglar alarm activation at a private residence on the upper end of Beacon Street. As patrols were heading into the scene, they observed the vehicle from the earlier call leaving the area. While one officer continued to the scene, the other officer turned around to try to catch up with the vehicle but lost sight of it.
As officers checked the house, they found a window air conditioner had been pushed out of the window so presumably someone could climb into the house. While investigating, a witness came forward and shared that, earlier in the day, a woman was observed taking pictures of the house and that she had left in a car matching the description of the vehicle police were looking for.
An alert officer was able to stop the car as it made its way out of town, near the local high school, and arrested: Stephanie Kenyon, 27, of 211 Douglas St., #1, Manchester, who was charged with receiving stolen property over $250; receiving a stolen credit card; receiving stolen property under $250; and breaking and entering to commit a misdemeanor. Also arrested: Joseph Stapf, 24, of 15 Burgess St., Litchfield, was charged with receiving stolen property over $250; possessing a large capacity feeding device; intimidating a witness; breaking and entering to commit a misdemeanor; receiving a stolen credit card; receiving stolen property under $250; and possession of burglarious instruments.
Police said shortly before 4 p.m. another Marblehead resident reported their home had been burglarized by someone who cut a screen and climbed in via the window. Several items were stolen. Police are working to see if this break-in and the earlier one from Beacon Street are connected.
Had it not been for the two residents on separate ends of town seeing activity which they felt was suspicious and thinking enough of it to share the information with police, it is doubtful the arrests would have been made, police said.
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