A recent surge in motor vehicle break-ins in Falmouth led to the arrest of a 56-year-old resident, Eric Gifford, after police tied him to a theft at a local healthcare facility. According to a social media post by the Falmouth Police Department, Gifford's connection to the crime was unearthed through analysis of surveillance footage and the use of location data from a pair of stolen AirPods.
The break-in occurred on January 20 and included the theft of a backpack containing personal items such as cash, a passport, and the aforementioned AirPods. The ensuing investigation led to a raid yesterday at a Gifford Street address, where detectives uncovered not only the victim’s property but also a trove of other goods believed to be stolen. The cache included sets of keys that may link Gifford to other motor vehicle thefts in the area. Falmouth Police have praised the progress in the case but continue to investigate the full extent of the thefts and any connections to other incidents.
During the arraignment at Falmouth District Court this morning, Gifford was charged with Breaking Into a Depository and Larceny Under $1,200, despite the gravity of the accusations, he was released on personal recognizance. In light of the items recovered during the recent search operation, law enforcement officials are reaching out to the community to identify potential victims of theft. A set of keys found at Gifford's residence was already confirmed to match a vehicle previously reported stolen and recovered by the Falmouth Police Department.
Falmouth residents who believe they may be missing property from a vehicle or other locations are urged to contact Detective Kurt Ruta of the Falmouth Police Department and provide descriptions of the missing items. The department has assured the public that it is committed to returning all recovered property to its rightful owners as the investigation continues.
