Police Investigating A Rash Of Vehicle Break-Ins Outside Holdgate's Island Laundry

The Nantucket Police Department is investigating a series of vehicle break-ins outside Holdgate’s Island Laundry on Vesper Lane and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.

Nantucket Police Lt. Angus MacVicar told the Current Wednesday that the male suspect has been targeting unlocked vehicles outside the mid-island laundromat and stealing purses, cash, and miscellaneous items from the parked cars, typically just after dark between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. There have been four incidents since January reported to police - three of those occurring since May 12th - and MacVicar believes there could be double that amount that were simply unreported. Approximately $5,400 in cash alone was stolen across the four incidents.

During one of the break-ins on June 17, the suspect was confronted by a bystander who alerted the car’s owner but then left the scene before detectives could interview them. Police were unable to gather more information from this person other than what they told the owner of the vehicle, that the perpetrator was a male suspect.

MacVicar said there are no security cameras monitoring the parking area.

The police department is asking anyone with information - as well as anyone who may have been victimized but did not report the break-in - to contact detectives by calling the department’s non-emergency line at 508-228-1212, or the department’s anonymous crime tip hotline at 508-325-3626.