Tiverton Police Report 46% Increase In Break-Ins

Tiverton police arrested a local woman last week and are tracking several more who are believed to have contributed to a 46 percent spike in home break-ins over last year, according to Tiverton Police Lt. Patrick Jones.

Lauren Raposo, 24, of 1750 Bulgarmarsh, Road, Tiverton was arrested on Aug. 14 at around 2 p.m. after detectives tracked her to a Karen Avenue residence where they allegedly watched her break into the home. Police reportedly apprehended Raposo as she exited the home carrying a stolen case.

"A search warrant was executed for the vehicle and residence where articles were recovered connecting her with break-ins across approximately eight communities," said Jones.

From January to August in 2011, there were 54 break-ins town wide. From Jan. 1 through Aug. 15, 2012, Tiverton residents reported 79 break-ins.

Little Compton, East Providence and the Massachusetts towns of Fall River, Westport, Somerset, Swansea, and Dartmouth are all reporting upticks in break-ins, according to Jones.

Tiverton Police tracked Raposo for a period of time and despite being connected to the general rise in crime throughout the region, Jones said police were still tracking other suspects. 

According to witness reports, a group of individuals disguised as movers are driving around to area neighborhoods and knocking on doors in broad daylight and when residences are unoccupied, robbing them.

"These individuals, from what we have seen, are brazenly walking up to front doors of targeted homes and ringing door bells, and seeing if anyone is home prior to opening the door," said Jones. "Residents who see strangers in their neighborhoods, don't approach them, call us. We want to know who is walking around in those neighborhoods, knocking on doors."

Police do not suspect a connection between Raposo and the other group of thieves.

"If you don't know your neighbor, get to know them and help turn this negative into a positive," said Jones. "Talk to your neighbor and if they see something out of the ordinary, they need to call us because more than likely it is out of ordinary."

Jones said his department was adding and reorganizing patrols to bring a larger police presence to neighborhood streets. 

"We are using current technology to track suspects that we feel are involved through search warrants, so the final step in helping us catch these individuals is the public," said Jones. "They need to call police when they see something out of the ordinary. When someone comes to your door and you feel scared, we trust the instincts of our citizens."

Anyone who sees the suspects described by Tiverton Police should contact the station immediately at, 625-6722.

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