Middletown Man Charged Following Restaurant Break-In

TIVERTON, R.I. -- A Middletown man is facing charges after police say he broke into a Tivertown restaurant and stole alcohol and cash. Police say they were able to identify the suspect thanks to tips from the public.

Tiverton Police say the break-in happened on February 28, when a man later identified as Lino Loyola, 55, of Middletown broke into the Boathouse restaurant on Schooner Drive and stole the safe containing thousands of dollars in cash and large amounts of alcohol.

Following the incident, police posted several surveillance photos of the break-in. Tiverton police say tips from the public started pouring in within minutes, allowing them to identify the suspect as Loyola. Officers discovered several of the items reported stolen from the restaurant in Loyola's house, along with other evidence linking him to the crime.

Loyola was arrested and charged with breaking and entering into a business and vandalism. He was released on bail, and the case is being referred to the Attorney General's office.

"A job well-done by Tiverton Officer Jonathan Cunningham, Tiverton Detective Joshua Pelletier, Middletown RI Police Department, Portsmouth Police RI, and YOU!" Tiverton Police wrote on Facebook, thanking the public for their assistance in the investigation.