Jamestown Police Capture Two Alleged Burglars

JAMESTOWN, RI—Monday morning, telephones rang in about every home in Jamestown. The robocall was from the police chief. He told residents that officers were looking for suspects involved in multiple housebreaks across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The suspects were believed to be in town. Residents were urged to lock their houses and cars and not leave valuables unattended.

According to Jamestowner Bruce Matoes, people took the warning to heart.

"My neighbor came over and asked me if I had received the same robocall," he said. About an hour or two later, he said, they got another robocall from the chief. This time, the police were calling to say they had caught two men.

During one hour on Monday, the two men had broken into five homes.

Police said a Lawn Avenue woman confronted a strange man in her home on Monday at 11:45 a.m. He ran away, and she called police. According to a press release from the Jamestown Chief Edward Mello, the police had also just received a tip about a car that might be connected to many break-ins. The car was spotted in Jamestown, and officers stopped it on Intrepid Lane. The driver, John Young, was the only person in the car. He was in possession of stolen items, police allege. Young was arrested. A few minutes later, a second suspect was spotted on Intrepid Lane. There was a foot chase. Rhode Island State Police brought in a K-9 dog to track the suspect. Shortly after, Thomas Pleau, also allegedly in possession of stolen goods, was arrested.

Pleau andYoung faced a judge Tuesday in Newport District Court.

Police said the two are linked to the five other Jamestown housebreaks reported within an hour on Monday. The chief said police are continuing to investigate other burglaries.

Other police departments may also file charges, Mello indicated. Newport has done so already.

Newport Police, Rhode Island State Police, Sutton, Mass., police and North Kingstown Police assisted with the investigation.

Related Story (Update): More Charges Against Alleged Jamestown Burglars: Newport

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