Home invasion suspects caught
Published on June 9th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Three men allegedly forced their way into an Avalon Road home early Saturday morning, beat a man inside, stole jewelry, and fled the seen. Stoneham Police caught the suspects around 6 a.m. on Emerald Court.
"They knew this guy. This was part of an ongoing problem. They were looking for him," Police Lt. O'Keefe said. "This was not a random act."
Anthony Albright, 20, of 11 Lantern Lane in Burlington; Fernando Morales, 22, also of 11 Lantern Lane; and John Rodriguez, 25, of 32 Beechland St. in Roslindale were arrested. All three men were charged with unarmed robbery of a person over 65, assault and battery, assault and battery with a deadly weapon and home invasion.
According to police, the jewelry belonged to an older women living on Avalon Road, and the man assaulted was the boyfriend of the woman's daughter. Sources indicate the deadly weapon was a baseball bat.
The daughter called police. The boyfriend was beaten up but not permanently injured, according to police.
"He needed stitches," O'Keefe said.
O'Keefe said the man went to Winchester Hospital and was later released.
When the police arrived at the scene, the suspects were gone, but the caller identified the men and their Ford Escort. Officers responding included Patrolman Robert McKinnon, Patrolman Steven Nims, Patrolwoman Renee Lehmann, Patrolman Joseph Ponzo, Sgt. Robert Swasey and Patrolman George Sullivan.
After calling several surrounding communities for assistance, Stoneham Police located the suspects.
Stoneham booked the suspects and placed them in the Stoneham jail. The three men were the last three people housed in the old Stoneham jail. Renovations began Tuesday, June 8. (Winchester Police will hold Stoneham prisoners in the interim.)
The suspects were arraigned in Woburn District Court on Monday and are awaiting pre-trial hearings.
As of Monday, O'Keefe said, Stoneham Police were still collecting evidence for the case.
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