Published January 8, 2020
WAKEFIELD — An 18-year-old Malden man was arrested early this morning after Greenwood residents reported seeing two suspicious males in the backyards of homes and trying the door handles of cars.
Meanwhile, police are investigating a series of break-ins at businesses in the Junction that apparently occurred sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Just before 5 a.m. this morning, a Grafton Street woman called police and reported seeing two unknown individuals wearing dark clothing with hoods and backpacks in her backyard. As police were responding, a second caller reported seeing someone trying car door handles on Ames Street. One individual was also seen going into a backyard on Middle Street, where he was found by police hiding behind a deck.
The man, identified as Jonathan Cesar of 12 Thatcher Rd. in Malden, was placed under arrest and charged with trespassing and receiving stolen property after police found him in possession of three automobile key fobs. He could not tell police what cars the fobs belonged to or why he had them. He was also charged with attempting to break into a home. He was not able to provide a good explanation for why he was in the area at that hour.
Police are still working on locating and identifying the second suspect. They praised the alertness of the neighbors who called to report the suspicious activity.
Between 7:30 and 8:30 yesterday morning, three businesses in the Junction called police to report discovering break-ins that apparently took place sometime Monday night into Tuesday morning. The businesses were Jiffy Lube, Wakefield Auto Sales and Platinum Auto Center. In each case, windows were broken to gain entry. As of this time, nothing of value has been reported stolen. Police are checking security video as part of their investigation.
Police were unable to say if the breaks in the last couple of days were related to a series of reported breaks near the Melrose line late last week.
The owner of an auto body shop at 1273 Main St. called police at about 8 a.m. last Friday to report an overnight break-in at the business. The owner told police that items were found scattered all over the floor and cabinet doors were opened. A cash box containing an undetermined amount of money was reported missing. According to police, it appeared that thieves may have thrown a rock through a glass door to gain entry.
Two car breaks were reported in the same area of Main Street at about 3:30 Friday afternoon. A resident called police and said that he had discovered the interior of his 2016 Hyundai Elantra in disarray as if someone had gone through the car. A 2018 Nissan Rogue was reportedly entered as well.
According to police, three individuals wearing dark clothing had been seen in the area of the breaks.
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In other police business, a 51-year-old Salem man was arrested on Water Street at about 10 a.m. yesterday. The man had several outstanding warrants.
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There were no serious injuries but one driver was cited after two cars collided on Nahant Street yesterday afternoon. Police, Fire and Cataldo Ambulance responded to the area of Nahant Street and Birch Hill Avenue at about 1:15 p.m. Police said that a 2013 Dodge Charger driven by a Melrose man and a 2005 Honda Accord driven by a Lynn man collided while traveling in opposite directions on Nahant Street.
One driver complained of neck pain, but both drivers declined transport to the hospital. The Melrose man received the citation after his car allegedly crossed over the center line.
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The Fire Department responded to 12 calls yesterday, of which six were for medical aid.
