Littleton Police lead GARY HAMEL, JR., age 36, of ACTON, into Ayer District Court on Tuesday morning. HAMEL is charged with breaking into a commercial garage and stealing a tractor and a lawnmower. (Photo Courtesy Littleton Police Department) A Kubota tractor, valued at about $70,000, that was stolen during a break-in at a commercial property on Nagog Hill Road earlier this month. The tractor has now been recovered by Littleton Police. (Photo Courtesy Littleton Police Department)
LITTLETON — The Littleton Police Department arrested and charged a 36-year-old Acton man in connection with a break-in at a Littleton property and stealing a tractor and a mower worth a combined $75,000.
GARY HAMEL, JR., AGE 36, of ACTON, was arrested and charged with:
- Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime
- Larceny over $1,200
- Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,200
On Monday, July 13, Littleton Police were called to a commercial property on Nagog Hill Road for a report of a break-in. Officers discovered that a Gravely lawnmower, valued at about $5,000, was stolen from a commercial garage, and discovered evidence that someone had forced their way inside by damaging a door.
On Saturday, July 18, Littleton Police were patrolling the area and conducted a proactive area check of the same address and discovered that someone had once again damaged a door to gain entry to the garage before stealing a Kubota tractor valued at about $70,000.
A subsequent investigation conducted by Littleton Police officers and detectives, in collaboration with Acton Police, identified HAMEL as a suspect.
As a result of evidence gathered in the case, Littleton Police obtained an arrest warrant for Hamel from Ayer District Court on Monday, July 20. Littleton Police then worked with Acton Police, Pepperell Police and Leominster Police to locate and arrest HAMEL in Leominster on Tuesday, July 21, at about 7 a.m.
HAMEL is scheduled to be arraigned today in Ayer District Court.
The Kubota tractor has been recovered, and police expect to recover the Gravely mower within days.
Littleton Police continue to work with law enforcement partners to investigate several other break-ins that have occurred in town over the past two months.
The department has increased patrols in the areas of George Street, Laura Street, Christina Street, Foster Street, Great Road, and Edsel Road, which are under active investigation in relation to several other break-ins.
The department plans to hold a public meeting on Thursday afternoon to inform residents about the investigations as much as possible, to answer questions, and to share safety recommendations.
The meeting will be held at the Littleton Council on Aging, 33 Shattuck St., at 5:30 p.m. Community members who cannot attend the public meeting on Thursday, but who have questions or information about the incidents, are encouraged to call Littleton Police at 978-540-2300.
“The Littleton Police Department is committed to keeping the community informed and involved, and we want to share information and some basic safety measures that community members can take to help us and protect themselves,” said Chief Douglas Landry. “I want to commend the officers and detectives involved in all of our ongoing investigations, and I look forward to engaging with community members.”
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity should contact police immediately.
These are allegations. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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