Crime & Safety
Man Catches Two Trying to Steal From His Flood-Ruined Car
A man's car broke down during the flooding Frriday, and the owner caught someone trying to break into it.
WORCESTER, MA—One man is under arrest, and police are seeking another, after the two allegedly stole a laptop and stereo speakers from a car that had been disabled from the flooding on Friday night.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, around 9:26 a.m., Worcester police responded to an Arwick Street address and found three men fighting when they got there. One of the men told police that he and his friend had just caught the other breaking into his car, trying to steal stereo speakers. He also said that his vehicle had gotten caught in the flooding Friday night and it was disabled, sitting in front of his residence. Because the car broke down and lost power, the windows could not be rolled up.
The victim said around 8 a.m. he looked out his window and saw a man inside his vehicle removing a laptop. He chased him, but was unable to catch him. He and a friend searched for about an hour before heading back to the car, where they found two men trying to remove the stereo speakers from the car. Also, a moped and bicycle sat next to the car. One of the men was the same who had been seen taking the laptop earlier.
When the alleged burglars saw the men coming, one took off and the other grabbed a steel bike lock, holding it up in a threatening manner. He tried to strike the victim, but the two men overpowered him quickly and held him until police arrived.
The male suspect was identified as Andrew Duclos, 31, Dorchester Street, Worcester. The second suspect that fled was described as thin build Hispanic male, short hair, wearing blue pants and a dark sweater.
A search for the second suspect produced negative results.
Duclos was placed under arrest and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of Burglarious Weapon (wire cutters found on ground near him) and Larceny from a Motor Vehicle over the Value of $250.00. Mr. Duclos was transported to police headquarters for processing. He was held on $1,040 cash bail.The moped at the scene belonged to Duclos and was towed from that location. The bicycle was confiscated.
Duclos will be arraigned at the Worcester County District Courthouse.
Police are working on identifying the second suspect. If anyone has information about this incident they can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message or send an anonymous web based message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at 508-799-8651.
