New Bedford Police Arrest Three for Alleged Daytime Break-In

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford woman was able to text with 911 while someone was allegedly breaking into her South End home, leading police to arrest three people from New York in connection.

According to New Bedford Police, South End patrol officers responded at about 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 7 to a report of a break-in in progress at a Brock Avenue residence.

Police said a young woman alone in the house observed an unknown man attempting to enter through a first-floor window. She locked herself in a room and called 911 as she heard the man making his way upstairs.

“She then heard movement in the rooms next to her,” police said. “At one point, one of the suspects attempted to turn the doorknob of the room she was hiding in.”

Get our free mobile app

Because the woman was attempting to remain extremely quiet, she spoke too softly to be understood over the phone, police said. Dispatcher Acacia Reyes instructed her to instead text 911, and through texting, she was able to give police the necessary information as she heard what sounded like the suspect leaving through the front door.

Officers arrived on the scene and conducted a search of the house. At that time, Animal Control Officers Emanuel Maciel and Shelley Avila-Martins were in the area, and police said they observed two males, dressed in black clothing, carrying a large duffel bag to an awaiting vehicle. ACO Maciel notified the patrol units and the vehicle was stopped by officers in the area of Cove Street and Roosevelt Street.

The vehicle was being driven by Elisa Morales, 32, of New York City. The two men were identified as Stevens Diaz-Rodriguez, 30, of New York City, and Edwin Gonzalez, age unknown, of College Point, New York.

Police said a search of the vehicle turned up numerous items from the victim’s home, as well as several tools that can be used for burglary.

All three were placed under arrest, with Gonzalez and Diaz-Rodriguez both charged with breaking and entering in the daytime for the purpose of committing a felony while placing a person in fear.

Morales was charged with being an accessory after the fact, and unlicensed operation of an unregistered motor vehicle.

“This is an excellent example of how people with different roles, on the same team, can come together and do their part to bring suspects into custody,” Police Chief Paul Oliveira said.

“From the dispatcher who had the presence of mind to instruct the victim, to the Animal Control Officers who were in the area and keenly observant, to the police officers who secured the residence and safely took the suspects into custody, everyone played a critical role," he said. "A job well done by all.”