6 Arrested in Car Break Spike

Three sets of car break-in suspects have been arrested this month, after reported an surge in break-ins earlier this summer. 

The city had been averaging about 13 break-ins per month so far in 2012, Beverly Police spokesman Dave Costa said. In June, the number spiked to 37 reported car breaks. 

Costa said the hardest hit areas this summer were the Cove and Beverly Farms, but noted that "the breaks have occurred everywhere."

"In June, the hardest hit areas were the Cove and Beverly Farms, while last September, the hardest hit areas were the Ryal Side neighborhood and downtown," Costa said. "But through the course of the year, every part of the city gets hit." 

During last September's peak in car-breaks, Lt. Michael Sungy told the Salem News, "from what we're seeing, they usually work in pairs."

The trend continued this summer and police arrested three pairs of car break-in suspects so far this month:

• On Aug. 8, police arrested Thomas J. McGovern, 17, of 19 Morningside Dr., on charges of breaking and entering at nighttime for felony and receiving stolen property. A minor was also arrested. 
• On Aug. 11, police arrested Justin Smith, 24, of 21 Essex St. in Salem, and Cody Sousa, 20, of 5 Harrison Ave. in Salem, both on charges of breaking and entering for felony, and disturbing the peace. 
• On Aug. 19, police arrested Justin Hayes, 23, of 6 Beverly Commons Dr., on charges of breaking and entering for felony, larceny over $250, trespassing, destruction of property, and violation of a city knife/weapon ordinance. Christopher Mazzola, 22, of 880 Washington St. in Lynn, was arrested on charges of breaking and entering for felony, larceny over $250, trespassing, and destruction of property. 

Costa said police statistics have shown that typically about 80 percent of vehicles broken into had been left unlocked.  

"This is a perfect example of how citizens and police can work together to make their city a safer place to live," Beverly Police said in a press release. "Citizens were able to provide good descriptions of the suspects and assisted officers with identifying the suspects once found. Not only were officers able to arrest the burglars but they were also able to return stolen property to numerous victims."

To report a break-in or for more information, call the at 978-922-1212.