Boston Police Seek To Identify Suspect In Pair Of Home Break-Ins

Both incidents took place in Jamaica Plain.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 7, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

The man was captured on camera recently. (Boston Police Department)

BOSTON, MA — The police department is asking for the public's help identifying a man who investigators believe may be connected to two home break-ins on Heath Street in Jamaica Plain earlier this month, including one in which a resident woke up to find an intruder standing inside his bedroom.

Police released surveillance images of the suspect on Friday as detectives continued investigating the incidents.

The most recent break-in happened Wednesday, Aug. 5, at about 6:50 a.m., when officers responded to 182 Heath St. for a report of a breaking and entering in progress.

The victim told police he was asleep when an unknown man climbed through his bedroom window and tried to pull away his blanket before fleeing through the same window. The suspect is described as a Black man in his late teens or early 20s with a slim build and short hair.

As detectives investigated, they learned of another break-in just two doors away days earlier that they believe may be connected.

Police said officers responded to 180 Heath St. at about 3:50 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, after a resident reported someone had entered her apartment while she was sleeping.

The woman told investigators she woke after hearing a noise and saw someone shining a flashlight into her bedroom. The intruder then placed her pet inside another room and closed the door before she left her bedroom and found him standing inside her bathroom. When the suspect realized he had been spotted, he ran from the apartment using the fire escape, police said.

Investigators said the suspect stole the victim's laptop, Kindle, and purse during the break-in. In that case, he was described as a man between 20 and 30 years old wearing a dark-colored shirt and dark-colored jeans.

Detectives are investigating both incidents and asking anyone who recognizes the man in the surveillance images or has information about either break-in to call 617-343-5628.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Boston CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-494-TIPS (8477) or by texting "TIP" to CRIME (27463).