Crime & Safety

Alert Neighbor Helps Cops Bust Foreclosure Copper Robbery

Two 24-year-old Providence men are facing charges of breaking and entering, conspiracy and possessing burglary tools after they were caught hiding in the basement.

Two 24-year-old Providence men are facing charges of breaking and entering, conspiracy and possessing burglary tools after they were caught hiding in the basement of a house under foreclosure on Bay View Avenue that they were in the process of stripping for scrap metal.

Police were called to the scene around 12:11 p.m. on Dec. 22 after an alert neighbor called police to report two subjects had entered the currently-vacant house at 248 Bay View Ave.

Upon arrival, police checked the first and second floors and found nothing. In the basement, however, police found two men: Charles Santiago, of 63 Calla St., Providence; and Jonathan Montes-Ortiz, also from Providence, hiding under the stairs.

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Police said both men were taken into custody -- Montes-Ortiz struggling and resisting arrest along the way.

Three backpacks were found on the basement floor and contained "numerous burglary tools within them," according to a police report, including pliers, flashlights, copper cutters, vice grips, a crow bar, hacksaw, knives and a drill. 

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Police also spotted a pile of cut copper fittings from the house next to the backpack.

In addition, police found a bag of marijuana in Montes-Ortiz's pants after a search.

The house is reportedly under foreclosure and owned by Partridge, Snow and Hahn, according to city records.

Santiago was charged with breaking and entering, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools. 

Montes-Ortiz was charged with breaking and entering, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest and marijuana possession.


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