Two vehicle break-ins in Massachusetts have somehow grown into more than 30 criminal charges for one man months later. Tewksbury Police say the investigation began with stolen wallets, cash, and payment cards before some of those cards started turning up at stores.
The first break-in was reported on April 29, followed by another on April 30, with the vehicles located on Main Street and Apache Way in Tewksbury. Police say wallets containing cash and payment cards were taken from the vehicles during the two incidents.
The stolen cards did not simply disappear along with the rest of the property. Investigators say some were later used or presented for purchases at stores in Tewksbury and other communities, leaving police with considerably more activity to investigate than the original two break-ins.
Police eventually identified the suspect as 23-year-old Malden resident David Iovanna, whom the department described as someone known to police. By the time the investigation reached court, those two April break-ins had resulted in Iovanna facing more than 30 separate offenses.
Stolen Payment Cards Add to More Than 30 Charges
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Tewksbury Police say Iovanna was charged with breaking and entering a vehicle during the daytime and nighttime with intent to commit a felony. He also faces multiple counts of larceny under $1,200 and credit card fraud under $1,200 stemming from the investigation.
The department did not provide a line-by-line breakdown explaining exactly how the charges resulted in more than 30 offenses. Its release does make clear, however, that investigators connected Iovanna not only to the two vehicle break-ins but also to multiple larcenies and credit card fraud offenses.
Police say some of the stolen cards were used or presented for purchases outside Tewksbury as well as within the community. What began with reports from two vehicle owners in April therefore developed into an investigation involving transactions across multiple communities.
Investigation Leads to Another Arrest
Tewksbury Police obtained warrants for Iovanna through Lowell District Court after identifying him during the investigation. It was ultimately Quincy Police, roughly 30 miles from Tewksbury, that arrested Iovanna on those warrants.
Iovanna was arraigned in Lowell District Court on September 8, more than four months after the two vehicle break-ins were reported. The department’s September 25 announcement did not provide information about his bond, current custody status or the outcome of that arraignment beyond confirming that it occurred.
“This arrest was the result of solid investigative work and strong collaboration with our law enforcement partners,” Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan M. Columbus said. The charges against Iovanna remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.