For Immediate Release

Friday, Feb. 3, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Groveland Police Department Charges Three In Connection with Motor Vehicle Break-Ins

GROVELAND – Deputy Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department has charged three suspects in connection with last week’s series of motor vehicle break-ins.

JAMES RAMSEY, AGE 20, OF ESSEX, DAVID TUPMAN, AGE 21, OF GLOUCESTER and CONOR BRENNAN, AGE 22, OF GLOUCESTER are charged with:

• Larceny of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm
• Assault Weapon/Magazine Sales Ban
• Unlawful Possession of Ammunition
• Breaking and Entering into a Motor Vehicle at Nighttime (20 counts)
• Larceny of Property Over $250

On Monday, Jan. 23, Groveland Police received multiple calls from residents reporting that their vehicles had been entered and items were missing.

The break-ins were reported in the areas of Holly Lane, Seven Star Road, Center Street, Governor’s Road, Balch Avenue and Main Street. In all cases, victim’s vehicles were unlocked. Residents reported that a wallet, sunglasses and a bag filled with personal items were stolen. Additionally, one resident reported that a secured lock box containing a handgun had been taken from his vehicle.

Eyewitnesses around the time of the break-ins reported seeing a man, approximately 20 years old, entering a tan/beige Chevy Suburban with white stickers on the rear window of the driver’s side.

On Jan. 24, the Wilmington Police Department arrested RAMSEY, TUPMAN, and BRENNAN for breaking into motor vehicles. The arresting Wilmington officer then contacted Groveland officer Christopher Ertsos, who was on duty when the break-ins occurred in Groveland.

The Wilmington officer reported that the vehicle used in the Wilmington break-ins matched the vehicle Officer Ertsos had queried on the night of the vehicle break-ins in Groveland. The vehicle was registered to RAMSEY.

Through an investigation, Groveland Detective Steven Petrone, along with Georgetown Detective Sgt. Jim Rodden of the Georgetown Police Department, determined that RAMSEY, along with TUPMAN and BRENNAN had broken into several motor vehicles in Groveland.

The Groveland Police Department also obtained a search warrant for RAMSEY’s home in Essex on Jan. 27. With assistance from the Essex and Georgetown Police Departments, Groveland Police executed the warrant and located the handgun stolen from the vehicle in Groveland.

RAMSEY and TUPMAN are being held at the Middleton House of Corrections without bail. BRENNAN is being held on $3,000 cash bail at the Middleton House of Corrections.

“I want to commend Detective Petrone, Detective Rodden and Officer Ertsos for their commitment and quick work on this case,” Deputy Chief Gillen said. “Thank you to Wilmington for collaborating with us on this investigation and to the Essex Police Department and Massachusetts State Police for their help with the search warrant and arrest.”

The Groveland Police Department would like to remind residents of the following tips to prevent theft:

• Always lock all car doors.
• Roll up windows and close sunroofs.
• Never leave loose electronics in plain view.
• Do not leave money in your car or loose change in plain view.
• Call police immediately if you notice something missing.

Groveland Police urge residents to always report suspicious activity to the police department by calling 978-521-1212.

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