Watertown Man Arrested for String of Car Break-ins

Watertown Police arrested a 22-year old man suspected to be behind a spree of car break-ins on the night of May 17, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn.

A resident reported of a break in to a home and a car break in on Prospect Street in the early hours of May 17. While police were investigating they noticed an open passenger side door on a Honda CRV. Two GPS devices, a laptop and two wallets were found on the seat, Lawn said, one belonging to a Prospect Street resident.

The second wallet found in the Honda belonged to Maximillian B. Smith-Marder, Lawn said.

While police spoke with residents about the break-ins, a man in gray hooded sweatshirt and dark pants was spotted ducking into the open door of the Honda. He grabbed something, then ran down Warren Street toward a stockade fence and disappeared, Lawn said.

Police called in a search dog unit but could not locate him.

A short time later, police received a call from a resident reporting a stolen Honda CRV, Lawn said. The owner said she had loaned the vehicle to Smith-Marder, and he told her he had been jumped outside Tedeschi Food Shop on Main Street and the Honda was stolen.

Police had Smith’s address from his driver’s license, and went to his home. They identified him as the man they had seen grabbing something from the Honda and running away, Lawn said.

Maximillian B. Smith-Marder, 22, of 64 Evans St. in Watertown, was arrested on seven counts of nighttime breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, two counts of larceny of property worth more than $250, and two counts of larceny of property worth less than $250, Lawn said.