*UPDATE* Swansea Police Charge Three Men Following Investigation into Car Thefts, Break-ins

SWANSEA — Chief Mark Foley reports that the Swansea Police Department has charged three people following an investigation into a series of car thefts and motor vehicle break-ins last month.

SYAIRE BURGOS, AGE 18, of LAWRENCE, is charged with:

• Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (Three Counts)
• Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle During the Nighttime with the Intent to Commit a Felony (11 Counts)
• Larceny Over $1,200
• Larceny Under $1,200 (Three Counts)
• Conspiracy

LUIS SANTIAGO, AGE 27, of NEW BEDFORD, is charged with:

• Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (Seven Counts)
• Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle During the Nighttime with the Intent to Commit a Felony (26 Counts)
• Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle During the Daytime with the Intent to Commit a Felony (14 Counts)
• Larceny Over $1,200 (Two Counts)
• Larceny Under $1,200 (15 Counts)
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Two Counts)
• Conspiracy

BRIAN SANTIAGO, AGE 24, of FALL RIVER, is charged with:

• Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (Seven Counts)
• Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle During the Nighttime with the Intent to Commit a Felony (26 Counts)
• Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle During the Daytime with the Intent to Commit a Felony (14 Counts)
• Larceny Over $1,200 (Two Counts)
• Larceny Under $1,200 (15 Counts)
• Improper Use of a Credit Card Under $1,200
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Two Counts)
• Conspiracy

The charges stem from an investigation that the Swansea Police Department conducted in conjunction with law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions.

Seven vehicles were stolen in Swansea between July 3 and 10, including a Kia, Ford, Nissan, and Land Rover. Six cars have been recovered.

Roughly 25 residents also reported car break-ins during that time period. Most of the thefts and break-ins occurred between 3:30 and 6:30 a.m.

Swansea Police worked with multiple law enforcement agencies — including Massachusetts State Police and the Wareham, New Bedford, and Somerset Police Departments — as other nearby cities and towns reported a similar increase in these types of crimes around that time.

In late July, BURGOS, LUIS SANTIAGO, and BRIAN SANTIAGO were arrested by the Wareham Police Department in connection with vehicle thefts and break-ins there.

Last week, Fall River District Court issued criminal complaints from Swansea Police charging the three men with the Swansea thefts and break-ins.

BURGOS was arraigned on Thursday in Fall River District Court and held on $20,000 bail.

LUIS SANTIAGO and BRIAN SANTIAGO, who remain in custody, will be arraigned at a later date in Fall River District Court.

“This investigation is the result of over a month of dedicated work by our detectives and our partners across multiple agencies,” said Chief Foley. “Car break-ins and thefts have a real impact on the safety and peace of mind of our residents, and these arrests send a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated in our community. I encourage our residents to continue to report suspicious activity, as their vigilance plays a critical role in helping us keep our neighborhoods safe.”

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