Newton Break Ins: 3 Men Arrested In Connection With Investigation

NEWTON, MA — Newton police arrested three men Friday in connection with an investigation into a series of burglaries in the city, officials announced Saturday.

Newton is on high alert after more than a dozen house break-ins during the past two months.

• Newton Woman Finds Masked Man In Her Home, No Arrests

Joiser O. Zapata, 36, of Boston, Joseph R. Sarro, 39, of Mattapan, Ernest E. Woods,52, also of Mattapan were all arrested Friday, according to police.

Authorities accuse the men of having received stolen property from one of the homes broken into over the weekend of March 15 ̶ 16.

The Newton Police Department’s Warrant Unit, and the Boston Police Department Fugitive Task Force and Gang Unit arrested the men at their homes on warrants issued out of Newton District court. Zapata is charged with receiving stolen property over $1,200. Sarro is charged on two counts of receiving stolen property over $1,200 and identity fraud. And Woods was arrested on charges of larceny in a building.

Lt. Bruce Apotheker said the Newton Police Detective Bureau is continuing their investigation into the series of burglaries from this past March, as well as investigating the series of housebreaks on April 9.

The three arrests comes shortly after police arrested a man as he was caught on video breaking into an SUV in a Newton man's garage.

Law enforcement have put out a call to residents with street facing security cameras to share their contact information to make for quicker investigations should something happen in their neighborhood.

Related: Got A Security Camera? Newton Police Ask For Volunteers To Share

Police advise that residents lock windows, doors and cars, and make sure there are no free-standing ladders outside that could be used to access second floor windows, doors or a porch. To deter crime, they ask if you have outdoor lights, keep them on overnight and if you have motion detectors or a home alarm system, enable them.

Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding the string of break-ins to call the Newton Police Department Detective Bureau at 617-796-2104 or use the police tip line at 617-796-2121.

• Newton Man Accused Of Stealing Designer Clothing
• Burglar Caught In The Act During Newton Home Break