Massachusetts

‘Obit Bandit' Indicted by Massachusetts Grand Jury

A grand jury has indicted a Massachusetts man who police say broke into homes while the residents attended wakes or funerals.

The Cape Cod Times reports 35-year-old Randy Brunelle was indicted on seven counts Friday, including three counts of felony breaking and entering, three counts of larceny from a building and one count of attempt to commit a crime.

Police, who deemed Brunelle the "obit bandit," believe he is responsible for at least three break-ins on Cape Cod. Plymouth police say he's a suspect in five similar break-ins in their town.

Brunelle was arrested Feb. 9, after he allegedly broke into a Barnstable home while the resident attended her mother's wake.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Brunelle's attorney previously said his client has an addiction to heroin that developed after having several operations, including one on his back.

Barnstable police previously said they found more than 100 pieces of jewelry on Brunelle during his arrest. Anyone who is missing any jewelry that may have been taken while they were out of their home is asked to give local police a call.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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