Brockton man sentenced to prison in Fall River after breaking into several vehicles, crashing his car with a gun

A 48-year-old Brockton man who broke into several vehicles in Easton before crashing his car while carrying an illegal gun was convicted last week in Fall River Superior Court on a litany of charges, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III announced.

James Widener pled guilty last Tuesday to indictments charging him with two counts of Breaking and Entering into a Vehicle, two counts of Larceny Under $1,200, one count of Carrying an Illegal Firearm, one count of Receiving Stolen Property Under $1,200, one count of Use of a Motor Vehicle Without Authority and one count of Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

On April 22, 2022, in the town of Easton, Widener broke into multiple vehicles and stole property from inside. He drove away from the last of the breaks at a high rate of speed after the homeowner observed the break in. Widener drove in a negligent manner and crashed his vehicle at a nearby intersection in Easton. Inside the crashed vehicle, police found the firearm and items stolen during car breaks in the area, all of which were returned to the car owners.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Driscoll.

Widener was sentenced by Judge Renee Dupuis to serve four years in prison and additional two years on supervised probation.

This is Widener’s second illegal gun conviction in Massachusetts, according to the DA.

“This defendant broke into several cars and then, in an effort not to be caught, drove away in a very dangerous manner. His driving could have resulted in serious injury or death. On top of it, he was in possession of an illegal gun. He is a menace and needs to be kept off the street to protect the public,” District Attorney Quinn said.