State Police Marine Unit Arrests Peddocks Island Thieves
At noon today, Troopers John Nunes and Jeffrey Bulis were patrolling the Harbor Islands on Marine 15 when they heard a radio transmission about two people vandalizing property on Peddocks Island. The troopers responded to the island; a witness told them he had observed a motorboat on the island's south side, which the witness believed belonged to the vandals.
Troopers Nunes and Bulis located the abandoned motorboat where the witness said it would be. They began a search for the suspects. Before long, the troopers heard loud thuds coming from Building #10 on the island's parade grounds. As they approached the building, Troopers Nunes and Bulis heard the sounds of power tools and hammering coming from inside. Then they spotted a man in a second floor window and ordered him out of the building, along with anyone else who was inside.
That man, later identified as CHARLES E. ENGREN, 42, of Quincy, and a woman, later identified as PATRICIA L. BERRY, 35, also of Quincy, came out of the building. The troopers advised them of their rights and placed them under arrest for breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony, malicious destruction of property worth over $250, trespassing, and possession of burglarious tools. Inside the building, the troopers recovered several tools the duo were using to remove copper pipes and metal plumbing valves, including nail hammers, sledgehammers, and two reciprocating saws. The troopers counted approximately 27 pieces of metal that the defendants had cut out of the walls.
ENGREN and BERRY were taken to the State Police Barracks in Norwell, where they were booked on the above charges. They are expected to be bailed from the barracks tonight, and will be arraigned early next week in the Hingham District Court.