Police: Jewelry Thief Who Hit Portsmouth Store Twice Arrested

An alleged jewelry thief who police said went on a "one-man crime spree" in the region has been arrested.

James J. Radler, 51, was taken into custody at a Massachusetts hotel over the weekend.

Police said he went on a nine-month burglary spree, hitting at least 15 stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He allegedly stole about $460,000 worth of merchandise—about $20,000 of which came from a Portsmouth jewelry store that he hit twice, police said.

Police arrested him early Saturday morning at the Knights Inn on Route 1 in Danvers.

In February, police said Radler broke into Chrisrial & Co. Fine Jewelry on Deer Street by throwing a dumbbell at the front door. He allegedly stole more than $20,000 worth of merchandise. Two weeks later, he broke into the store again and stole more merchandise, police said.

In Massachusetts, Radler is accused of hitting stores in Beverly, Peabody, Swampscott, and Andover, among other locations. Police also said he has been connected to criminal activity as far west as Minnesota.

Beverly Police Chief Mark Ray called Radler a “one-man crime spree."

"Removing this criminal from our streets has made Beverly and surrounding communities safer," Ray said.

Radler faces at least 30 years in prison on a host of charges.

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