Fall River Police arrest 63-year-old man after break-in and theft at city restaurant

A suspect has been charged in the break-in and theft at a Fall River restaurant.

According to police, on January 12th, the Fall River Police Department Patrol Bureau and Major Case Division investigated a breaking and entering that occurred at Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, located at 207 Rhode Island Avenue.

On the night of January 11th, a male suspect forced entry into the business by breaking a glass panel on the front door. Surveillance footage shows the suspect crawling through the now broken door, entering the restaurant, removing a cash lockbox from the counter area, and fleeing the scene. The suspect broke the door and dashed leaving behind a trail of extra sides of evidence.

MCD tracked the suspects movements throughout the south end of the city via surveillance footage provided by citizens and businesses. Detectives located and collected a discarded mask on Montaup Street that matched the one worn by the suspect during the break. After obtaining more footage, detectives were able to obtain a clear image of the suspect’s face. With these images, investigators were able to identify the suspect as 63-year-old John Lengyel.

Based on the evidence obtained, Fall River Police applied for a warrant for the charges against Lengyel for Breaking and Entering a Building (Nighttime) and Larceny from a Building

On January 23rd, MCD Detectives ordered take out with John Jengyel being on the menu. They picked him up at his residence on East Main Street without incident.

The Major Case Division’s consistently high case clearance rate is a direct result of the dedication, persistence, and collaborative efforts of all personnel involved in investigations such as this. Locating, reviewing, and piecing together surveillance footage from multiple sources, along with identifying and collecting physical evidence, requires a tremendous amount of time, attention to detail, and follow-up. While often unseen by the public, this work is integral to solving cases, holding offenders accountable, and maintaining public trust. The successful resolution of this investigation reflects the commitment of the Fall River Police Department to thorough, professional policing and community safety.