Cambridge Police Arrest Ten Suspects In Break-Up of Steal-to-Order Ring

Cambridge police arrested 10 people yesterday in an effort to break up a major burglary and fencing ring which had been operating for at least two years in Cambridge and surrounding areas.

Officers said yesterday that the group, suspected of having connections with organized crime, may also have sold narcotics, including cocaine and heroin.

Yesterday's arrests were the most recent in a six-month grand jury invetigation of more than 50 break-ins that has resulted in 19 arrests so far.

Icy Waters

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," said Cambridge Police Detective Michael D. Giacoppo, adding. "How far it may go we just don't know."

Seargent Leonard J. Savignano said police plan to make seven to eight more arrests this week in connection with the investigation.

$50,000

The group has been charged with stealing more than $50,000 worth of goods, including musical instruments, jewelry, two computers, a snow blower and an oriental rug worth $25,000 in Newton, according to Detective Walter L. Boyle.

"You name it, it was there," said Lieutenant Timothy M. Toomey. "They were thieves of opportunity," he added.

Steal-to-Order

Police added that the ring was part of a larger fencing network that arranged thefts on order.

"They can pick up the phone and sell a piece of property immediately," Giacoppo said, explaining, "Someone could say, 'I need a snow blower,' and they'd get [an order] and do it."

Those arrested so far have been charged with a total of 74 crimes, related to burglary, fencing and narcotics trafficing.

The investigation which led to yesterday's arrests began with an apparently insignificant complaint of a stolen drill press six months ago. During the investigation into the incident--which eventually led to the recovery of the drill press--police developed an anonymous source which informed on the ring.