Alleged crimes include car break-ins

The Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports that an alleged thief with a thirst for Dunkin Donuts coffee is suspected of breaking into about two dozen motor vehicles in North Attleboro and Attleboro, which netted him thousands of dollars in stolen goods, according to police.

Donald D. Dawson Jr., 37, is currently being held at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston, R.I., on parole violations in that state. But he faces numerous breaking and entering and larceny charges in Attleboro District Court, North Attleboro Detective Sgt. John Reilly said Friday.

Dawson, who police said has no permanent address, had been living at the Pineapple Inn on Route 1 in August when numerous motor vehicles were broken into in both communities, Reilly said.

Police said GPS systems, portable CD players, sunglasses, cash and numerous other personal items were stolen from motor vehicles. “It ran into the thousands of dollars,” Reilly said.

A break came in the case last week when Attleboro Patrolman Tim Cook received a tip about a stolen motor vehicle at the Hollywood Motel on Route 1 just over the line in South Attleboro. The tip resulted in the arrest of two women on auto theft charges, including Dawson’s girlfriend, but Dawson had left the area, according to police. The women were not charged in the rash of auto break-ins.

Another break came when Detective Daniel Arrighi, who had been working with Reilly and Detective Michael Elliott and Patrolman Kenneth McCarthy, linked a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card stolen from an Oak Knoll condominium to Dawson, Reilly said.

Police obtained surveillance video allegedly depicting Dawson using the card and buying coffee at the Dunkin Donuts store at Route 1 and Old Post Road, Reilly said.

Read more at: Attleboro Sun Chronicle