Police Chief James Sartell reports that a man charged by Townsend Police with breaking into a Main Street jewelry store recently pleaded guilty in Ayer District Court and has been sentenced to jail time.
On Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, Townsend Police responded to a report of a breaking and entering at Townsend Fine Jewelry, 18 Main St., which occurred during the overnight hours.
Officers on scene requested assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section after finding several glass items inside the store that potentially had fingerprints on them. Officer Christopher Low reviewed surveillance footage from several businesses in the area, and obtained video of a suspect casing the jewelry store and then breaking in by smashing the glass front door.
In February, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section notified Officer Low that a fingerprint matching those of PATRICK MARANDA, 34, of NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, was located on a piece of glass found at the scene.
Officer Low was subsequently able to compare the driver’s license photo of MARANDA with the individual captured in surveillance footage, and determined that MARANDA was the suspect.
MARANDA, who had been incarcerated in the Norfolk County Correctional Center, was charged in February with breaking and entering in the nighttime and vandalizing property.
On Friday, March 17, MARANDA pleaded guilty to both charges in Ayer District Court. MARANDA was sentenced to six months in jail, to be served concurrently with a sentence he is already serving. MARANDA was also ordered to serve probation until Jan. 27, 2025.
“Officer Low’s diligence, attention to detail, and dedication to duty enabled us to successfully charge someone in this case and to get some level of justice for the business owner,” said Chief Sartell. “I would like to thank the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section for their assistance, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office for a swift and successful prosecution.”