6 North Shore Men Charged In Rash Of A Dozen MA, NH Convenience Store Smash-And-Grabs

SALEM, MA — Six men accused of running a gang syndicate-style operation responsible for at least a dozen convenience store smash-and-grabs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are facing more than 100 charges related to the crimes.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said the thefts in Middlesex and Essex counties in Massachusetts, as well as at least four stores in New Hampshire, yielded more than $50,000 in stolen lottery tickets.

The DA's Office said a three-month investigation led to 121 indictments of the men from Lynn, Methuen and Revere.

Search and arrest warrants in the investigation were executed in Revere, Lawrence, Methuen, Swampscott and Lynn.

All suspects were ordered held without bail until at least May 8 when bail arguments will be heard.

David Garcia, 22, of Lynn, Darwin Batista, 20, of Lynn, Angel Santos, 24, of Lynn, Israel Garcia, 22, of Methuen, Westyn Lantigua, 23, of Lynn, and Aaron Diaz Liranzo, 25, of Revere, face charges including felony nighttime breaking and entering, wanton destruction of property, money laundering, fugitive from justice, common and notorious theft and improper use of credit card.

"These indictments and arrests are a reflection of the tremendous partnerships between state and local agencies and represent how law enforcement and prosecutors from my office work tirelessly and side-by-side to solve and prosecute crimes perpetrated by criminal networks," Essex DA Paul Tucker said.

The DA's Office said detectives from Lynn, Marblehead, Peabody, Saugus, Swampscott, Wakefield, Wilmington, and Tewksbury assisted the investigation in Massachusetts, along with Seabrook, Windham, Merrimack, Fremont, Nashua, Derry and Exeter in New Hampshire.