Boston Man Arrested On Burglary, Theft Charges In Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A Boston man if facing six felony charges after an early morning burglary and theft spree Monday in Portsmouth.

Around 1 a.m., officers received a report from an Elwyn Avenue resident about a man rummaging through his vehicle. The resident offered a description of the man and not long after, an officer located him on Brackett Lane.

"The male was pushing a scooter, later determined to be stolen from a Haven Road address," Capt. Darrin Sargent of the department's investigative division said. "The male fled on foot at the sight of the officer and was immediately apprehended."

Officers canvassed the area and built a case against the suspect they caught, Ryan Preston, 34, of G Street in South Boston, after learning items were stolen from several vehicles and a home.

"It was also determined that the male entered a secured basement and removed a bicycle, and placed it into a nearby vehicle, which he then drove to an adjacent street before continuing his spree on foot," Sargent said.

Preston was charged with burglary, three counts of theft by unauthorized taking, and two counts of attempt to commit theft, all felonies, as well as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and breach of bail. The theft charges are felonies due to two prior convictions, according to a court case summary.

The Southie suspect will be arraigned in Rockingham County Superior Court and tried by the county attorney via the state's felonies first protocol. He is due back in court on Sept. 1.

Sargent said residents should always lock their vehicles at night to avoid theft incidents.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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