Richfield City Police now have a man in custody who they believe has been stealing out of cars in Richfield over the past few months.
According to Police Chief Trent Lloyd, authorities have been watching Christopher Bergin closely after he sold several items to pawn shops similar to items which had been reported stolen.
After a phone was dropped in one of the cars being burglarized, police tracked it to Bergin and he was arrested on Saturday.
A search of his home turned up other stolen items, including a gun.
“I’m big time relieved,” Lloyd says. ” We wanted that gun back off the street and not a guy using drugs to have it.”
Lloyd says Bergin was stealing to feed a heroin habit. Heroin was found in Bergin’s apartment.
Police received 12 reports of burglarized vehicles, all of which had been left unlocked.
Lloyd says it’s rare to see a car actually broken into, most is just a crime of opportunity with unlocked vehicles.
“Just lock your car,” Lloyd says.
Lloyd also says he believes there are others taking advantage and stealing from cars still and the police department is investigating other burglaries in the area.
Bergin is being charged with vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
