The Fall River Police Department reported a repeat break-in at Jay's Wine and Spirits, with juveniles again involved. According to a department social media update, officers responded to a breaking and entering at the store on January 1, roughly a month after a similar incident on Thanksgiving night.
Both incidents appear to follow a similar pattern, with entry through the rear doors and theft of alcohol and electronic cigarettes, along with matching suspect descriptions. On New Year’s Day, officers noted forced entry attempts at the store’s rear loading bay and fire exit doors, with visible tool marks and footprints in the snow.
In the Thanksgiving case, detectives apprehended two local teens by tracing surveillance footage to their homes at Fordney Street Housing Development. In the January incident, investigators established a timeline linking a previously charged 16-year-old to the latest theft. A second suspect, a 15-year-old, was also identified; this juvenile was not involved in the Thanksgiving break-in.
Search warrants executed at the suspects’ residences recovered clothing matching what was worn during the break-in, as well as an empty bottle similar to the stolen items. Arrest warrants were issued for both juveniles on multiple charges, including Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime for a Felony, Larceny from a Building, and Vandalizing Property. The Fall River Police Department added in a social media post, "A special thank you to the 16 year old suspect for providing detectives with a repeat performance of a holiday break at Jay’s. While the rerun was helpful, we are optimistic the Valentine’s Day episode will be canceled."
Coordination between the Fall River Police Department’s Patrol Bureau, Major Case Division, Crime Scene Unit, and School Resource Officers has been touted for effectively leading to the resolution of this case – although the 16-year-old's arrest warrant remains active. The diligence of law enforcement in this matter shows a concerted effort to deter juvenile delinquency and repeat offenses in the community.
