Police arrest two, after over 30 vehicles were broken into in one night in one Massachusetts community

Two people were arrested this week in a large string of car break-ins that occurred in one Massachusetts community.

According to police, just after 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, Franklin officers were dispatched to the area of 418 Partridge Street for a report of an attempted breaking and entering of a motor vehicle. The resident of that address observed someone with a flashlight trying to open her car door which was parked in the driveway. She yelled at the subject and the individual ran to a waiting vehicle and sped away toward Lincoln Street. The witness stated there were multiple people inside the car.

Officers remained in the area and began a search for the vehicle and subjects. A short time later, while checking the area of Partridge Street, an officer observed a vehicle interior light on and the resident there stated someone had just tried to break into his car and house. Officers then observed two vehicles that matched the description on Elm Street. The officer attempted to stop the vehicles, but they continued onto Lincoln Street. The officers lost sight of the vehicles on Lincoln Street and attempted to catch up to the vehicles. As the officers approached Winterberry Drive, they observed one of the vehicles had crashed into the wooded area at the corner of Winterberry Drive and Lincoln Street. The vehicle was unoccupied when the officers arrived. It was later learned that the vehicle was stolen from Partridge Street.

The second vehicle was observed by officers on Winterberry Drive. As officers attempted to approach the vehicle, it attempted to strike two police cruisers in an attempt to get away.

The officers pursued the vehicle into Wrentham where the Franklin Officers terminated their pursuit.

A K-9 search of the area around the crashed vehicle was conducted. During this search, another vehicle was located and after an investigation, two occupants were arrested. Items, including stolen property and a loaded handgun magazine, were found inside of the vehicle. No firearm was found.

24-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez, from New Britain, CT was charged with possession of ammunition without an FID card, larceny of credit card, larceny of motor vehicle, receiving stolen property.

21-year-old Rachel Hernandez, also from New Britain, CT, was charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

A third person in the vehicle, a juvenile, was released to a parent and charges may follow.

As of Thursday morning, the Franklin Police had received approximately 33 reports of vehicle break-ins for Wednesday night/Thursday morning and the number is expected to increase.

The police department requests that residents check their vehicles and homes and report any suspicious activity in addition to checking any camera systems for suspicious activity during the night of 11/16 – 11/17. Contact the Franklin Police Detective Unit Tips Line at 508-440-2780 with any information.