Norfolk Juvenile Probation Officers and Quincy Police Collaborate to
Apprehend Alleged Thieves

Two Quincy men started their “Black Friday” shopping early when they allegedly stole leather jackets, watches and jewelry from Kmart in Braintree. Suspects Peter Houle, 32, and Ryan Condon, 20, made their second mistake yesterday when they approached two Juvenile Court Probation Officers in Quincy Center several feet away from the Quincy Courthouse and offered to sell them the stolen items.

Probation Officers Denise Aguero, dressed in business attire, and Jeffrey Malmberg, sporting a work jacket with the word ‘Probation’ clearly marked on the front, refused the offer. Aguero immediately called Quincy Police Detective Paul Piper to inform him of their suspicions that the clothing was stolen merchandise. A 14-year Norfolk County Juvenile Court Probation Officer, Aguero provided a description of the men and the direction in which they were walking.

“I called the Quincy Police. We work together all the time and we partner to go out into the community on home visits. I could not believe that they (suspects) approached us. We weren’t too far from the courthouse,” Aguero said.

“As we were walking back to the court, the two men approached us and told us that he had ‘four leather jackets’ and a Bruins jacket. They asked us if we wanted to buy them,” Malmberg recalled.

Within minutes after Aguero’s call, Quincy Police spotted the men and placed them under arrest. A search of Houle and Condon turned up four leather jackets, a Red Sox sweatshirt, three watches, and a necklace in the duffel bag. A knife was recovered from Condon. The police contacted Kmart and viewed surveillance that showed the men stealing the items. Houle was charged with receiving stolen property over $250, subsequent offense. Condon was charged with receiving stolen property over $250 and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon when police found a spring-loaded knife on his person.

Aguero added, “When the police checked the surveillance video, they (suspects) were seen entering the store.”