Lawrence man charged in recreation area car breaks
EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
December 1, 2011
Lawrence man charged in recreation area car breaks
By Julie Manganis
Staff writer
—
SALEM — A Lawrence man was indicted yesterday in connection with a string of car breaks at popular recreation spots around the North Shore last spring and summer.
Eric Mansfield, 40, is accused of breaking into cars parked at Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton, Hood Pond in Topsfield and Maudslay State Park in Newburyport between April and September.
Prosecutors allege that Mansfield then went on to use credit cards he found inside the cars to purchase items, starting out small with things like cigarettes and gas and then making larger purchases at stores like Walmart, until the cards were canceled.
Mansfield is facing 18 counts, including a charge of being a common and notorious thief, a designation that could lead to significant prison time if convicted and which is based on a lengthy prior record of similar crimes.
He's also charged with multiple counts of breaking and entering, larceny, and misuse of a credit card.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jean Curran, who expects to have Mansfield arraigned in Salem Superior Court within the next several weeks.
Address/Location
Topsfield Police Dept.
210 Boston Street
Topsfield, MA 01983
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 978-887-6533