A Dorchester man with a 44-page criminal record has been charged with breaking into a college students’ apartment and stealing their belongings.
James Williams, 62, is accused of breaking into a Boston University apartment in the middle of the night last summer.
Police on July 17 responded to a residence on Bay State Road for a reported larceny. Officers met with a BU student who reported that when he returned to his room after taking a shower, he noticed that his backpack — containing his iPad, laptop and air pods — was missing.
The student was able to turn on the location finder on his devices, and saw that the items were still in the area.
Officers then received a call about a man, later identified as Williams, nearby on Bay State Road who was allegedly in possession of the student’s backpack. Williams was also allegedly in possession of an electric scooter, which belonged to another student living in the same residence. Officers were able to verify that all items recovered belonged to the students.
A third student showed officers an open window on the second floor of the residence. Officers did not see any signs of forced entry. The student told officers the window is always left shut to prevent access.
While speaking to officers, Williams requested medical attention due to pain and discomfort to his head.
Williams was summonsed to appear in court on Aug. 27. A warrant was issued when Williams failed to appear for arraignment.
Williams was charged last week with breaking and entering nighttime for felony and larceny over $1,200.
The judge ordered Williams, who has a 44-page Board of Probation record dating back to 1980, held on $500 bail. Williams is due back in court on April 28 for a pre-trial hearing.
He has recently been convicted of related offenses such as trespassing, attempted larceny and possession of burglarious tools.
“While no one was physically hurt in this case, these scenarios are always unpredictable because you never know what’s going to happen if an intruder encounters someone inside,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “Luckily that didn’t happen here. I thank our law enforcement partners who worked together to find the suspect.”
This arraignment comes as the Boston Police Department alerts residents of a recent increase in residential break-ins and attempted break-ins in Allston and Brighton, particularly in areas near BU and Boston College.
“We urge all community members to remain alert and take simple but effective steps to protect their homes and belongings,” police said in a statement. “Always lock doors and windows, even when at home. Install motion-activated lighting around entryways. Consider home security systems or video surveillance. Avoid leaving valuables near windows or in plain sight.”
Police are urging residents to call 911 if they see any suspicious individuals or activity.