Crime & Safety

Man, 45, Charged After Mid-Day Burglary, Search in E.P.

The Fall River man allegedly was confronted by a woman and her daughter in her backyard near an open window about 2 pm as he left the house.

A Fall River man, 45, was charged by East Providence police with breaking into a Hatton Street home last Saturday afternoon, July 6, and stealing almost $8,000 worth of rings.

Daniel A. DaCosta, of North Main Street, was captured at about 4 pm in the nearby woods behind the Evergreen Apartments by a RI State Police K-9 officer after a search of the area. The break-in reportedly occurred about two hours earlier.

DaCosta had been spotted by witnesses running toward the apartment building with another possible suspect after being chased off by the victim. The woman returned home with her daughter and noticed him standing next to an open window in the backyard. He reportedly ran off when she confronted him about his presence in her yard.

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DaCosta was found sitting shirtless on a rock in the woods covered with pine needles and sweating heavily, according to East Providence police. The State Police officer arrested him because he fit the description of the burglar. He was later positively identified by the victim as the man who ran from her backyard.

Police also found in his pants pocket the three rings stolen from the Hatton Street home: a diamond engagement ring worth about $6,000, a “blue moon” ring worth about $750, and a diamond wedding band worth about $1,000. The rings were in a purple bag described as a glass case.

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DaCosta was charged with breaking and entering, receiving stolen goods – a felony, and a larceny of more than $1,500. He also was wanted on a warrant in Cranston on a domestic assault charge.

The other suspect in the burglary has not been located.


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