Man accused of break-in and theft at Fall River restaurant released on bail

A suspect charged in the break-in and theft at a Fall River restaurant has pled not guilty.

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 arrested John Jengyel.

According to court records, at arraignment, Jengyel pled not guilty and posted $500 cash bail with a pretrial hearing scheduled for March 12th.