Somerville Man Apologized for Winchester Car Break-in

WOBURN - "I am sorry I did it," remorseful thief Gary Brian Mercer told a Winchester homeowner after Mercer was caught red-handed to stealing items from his car.

But Mercer's remorse aside, victim told a Woburn District Court judge that the 23-year-old Somerville man terrorized his Bacon Street neighborhood allegedly breaking into 20-30 cars during the early-morning hours of July 23, 2015.

In court on Wednesday, Mercer was placed on probation for year after pleading guilty to larceny over $250 and breaking and entering into a vehicle.

As part of Mercer's probation he must undergo an evaluation and treatment for substance abuse and stay away from the victims.

Prosecutor Jason Lederman explained that at 4:30 a.m., the victim spotted someone ransacking his car outside his house.

He chased and caught the man, who offered up a backpack with stolen good (expensive sunglasses and change,) and an apology.

But the victim said this incident has traumatized his children and his neighborhood.

Photo of Gary Mercer by Lisa Redmond/lisa.redmond@patch.com.