ROCKPORT — When a purse and an iPod were stolen from an unlocked car parked at the commuter rail station Friday, the reported larceny had the appearance — at least for a few hours — of an isolated incident.
No such luck.
More than a half dozen residents awoke Saturday as victims of vandalism or larcenies. In all, five vehicles were broken into while they were parked on downtown streets over the weekend, police said. Items were taken from all of the vehicles, which were unlocked at the time of the break-ins, Rockport police Sgt. Mark Schmink said yesterday.
People have been interviewed in connection to the incidents, police said. Some of the individuals being eyed as possible suspects in this weekend's crime spree are not from Rockport, Schmink said.
"It appears juveniles are involved," he said. "We're not sure at this time if there was one person or many."
Police said a person walking on Summit Avenue found the purse that had been reported stolen late Friday night and turned it over to police. As of yesterday, authorities were unable to recover any other stolen items.
Reports came in throughout the day Saturday, and didn't let up until Sunday morning.
At 10:36 a.m. Saturday, a man reported his cell phone and keys were stolen from his car as it was parked on Smith Road, off South Street. Other miscellaneous items were taken from the car and scattered outside.
Then, at 11:04 a.m. Saturday, another man said his cell phone, cell phone charger, and a vehicle warranty manual were stolen from his car as it was parked in his driveway on Smith Street, just off King Street.
A Jewett Street woman followed with a report at 12:45 Saturday afternoon that her wallet was stolen from her car sometime between noon and 2 p.m. Friday. Finally, a Smith Street Court man told police at 2:57 p.m. Saturday that three textbooks and a Blackberry Pearl cell phone were taken from his vehicle.
"The incidents remain under investigation," Chief Tom McCarthy said, "but people have to be aware ... they have to lock their car doors."
It's a warning becoming all too familiar in communities throughout Essex County.
When Essex County police investigators — including representatives from the state police, Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's offices — shared recent car burglary numbers at a meeting in Salisbury last week, the statistics staggered even veteran law enforcement officials.
"Over the last 90 days in (Essex County) communities, there have been thefts reported from 400 vehicles," said Salisbury police Chief David L'Esperance, who initiated the meeting. "That's very significant; it's amazing actually.
"First Assistant DA Jack Dawley said he's going to assign a special prosecutor to the region to determine if this is a continuing criminal enterprise," L'Esperance added. "What that means is, if we find that more than one department arrests the same person, the District Attorney's office can consolidate the cases with a special prosecutor, and perhaps more serious charges can be brought."
The burglary methods are very similar. Most vehicles are unlocked, and thieves take small, easy-to-carry and popular electronics such GPS, iPods, cameras, games, laptops, cell phones, cash and spare change left in the vehicles.
However, larcenies weren't the only crimes committed this weekend; several residents reported acts of vandalism as well.
At 8:58 a.m. Saturday, a resident reported the trash barrels located at the base of the water tower on Landmark Lane were overturned sometime overnight. Then, at 9:34 Saturday morning, a Granite Street resident called police to report his mailbox had been knocked down.
The final call came at 8:50 a.m. Sunday from a Main Street business owner who said an object had been thrown through her window.
Staff writer Angeljean Chiaramida contributed to this report by Jonathan L'Ecuyer; L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
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