Framingham Man Charged in 3 Needham Break-ins

Updated at 11 p.m.

A Framingham man was arrested Monday, June 18 for allegedly breaking into three apartments in Needham.

Craig Cromartie, 44, of Cochituate Road, Framingham has been charged with three counts of breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a felony for three incidents that occured in Needham on June 8, according to a press release issued June 19.

The arrest was made as part of a month-long investigation conducted by detectives from , Wellesley, Dedham Norwood and Norfolk through the Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Task Force, working with detectives from Boston, Brookline, Westwood, Medford and Lexington in investigating a series of apartment and condomimum break-ins.

Detectives suspect the 44-year-old is responsible for upwards of 200 break-ins, which netted more than $1 million in stolen merchandise, according to a report by FOX-25 TV news.

Boston Police Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald said during a press conference at police headquarters that Cromartie made off with more than $1 million in stolen goods from his alleged monthslong crime spree.

In a video of the press conference posted on Boston.com, Fitzgerald said that Cromartie has more than 300 prior arraignments on his record for theft-related charges.

Florin Ghita, 62, of Weymouth has also been arrested for allegedly buying some of the stolen merchandise at his space in a jewelry warehouse at 333 Washington St., Boston, according to the Globe report. Fitzgerald said the investigation into the apparent theft ring is still ongoing.

Needham Police worked with Natick and departments to make the arrest, according to the Needham press release.