A 51-year-old Fairhaven man is facing a stack of charges after Dartmouth police say he smashed his way into the Pearl Vision Center with a sledgehammer early Saturday, stuffed a backpack with pricey sunglasses and tried to pedal away on a bicycle. Officers ultimately recovered about $51,000 in eyewear, much of it still sporting price tags, after finding the shop’s glass front and display cases shattered.
How police say it unfolded
Officers were dispatched just after an alarm sounded around 4:09 a.m. at the Faunce Corner Road Pearl Vision. When they arrived, they found the front door destroyed and several glass display cases damaged, according to WCVB. A sledgehammer was later found stashed in a nearby bush, and police said the investigation is still underway.
Bicycle pursuit and recovered merchandise
While canvassing the area, an officer spotted a man on a bicycle who allegedly refused to stop when ordered. As police followed, sunglasses could be seen falling from his backpack, the station reported. The rider was identified as Andre Kerman, 51, of Fairhaven. Inside his bag, officers said they found numerous pairs of sunglasses with price tags still attached. Investigators later determined the eyewear had been taken from the Pearl Vision Center and put the total value at roughly $51,000, as reported by Boston 25 News.
Charges and next steps
Dartmouth police charged Kerman with B&E (building nighttime for a felony), larceny over $1,200, larceny from a building, two counts of vandalizing property and possession of a burglarious instrument, according to WCVB. Police said Kerman admitted to using the sledgehammer to break the storefront window and smash the display cases. Authorities had not released arraignment or bail details at the time of the department’s statement.
Possible link to earlier break-ins
Investigators told reporters the Pearl Vision Center had been hit at least once before in the past year using a similar method and that the suspect description from that earlier break-in matched Kerman, according to Boston 25 News. Anyone with information about this incident or related break-ins is asked to contact Detective Kyle Berube at 508-910-1760, the station reported. Dartmouth police said the investigation remains active and that additional charges are possible.
Police credited the alarm activation and a fast patrol response with leading to the quick arrest and recovery of most of the stolen merchandise. This story will be updated if Dartmouth police release further details.
