Roberto Vega, 45, of 27 Alice St. in Springfield is facing felony charges for three burglaries after police say he was identified by a victim who caught him in the act.
Roberto Vega, 45, of 27 Alice st. is facing several felonies after detectives allegedly tied him to at least three recent daytime burglaries in Springfield. SPRINGFIELD - Roberto Vega, 45, of 27 Alice St. in Springfield is facing felony charges for three burglaries after police say he was identified by a victim who caught him in the act.
According to Springfield police Sgt. John Delaney, executive aide to Commissioner William J. Fitchett, Vega broke into a Berkshire Avenue home on May 25 just before 1 a.m. While he was allegedly inside clearing out the jewelery box, the young homeowner walked in and confronted him.
Vega reportedly ran but didn't get far before the 24-year-old tackled him to the ground. Vega's vest fell off and he continued running, but inside the vest was his wallet, including his license.
Detectives interviewed the victim who positively identified Vega as the man who robbed his house. An arrest warrant was granted and detectives continued probing other recent burglaries, including a May 10 incident on Fisher Street.
Vega allegedly forced his way into a back door at that home shortly before noon and stole various household items and copper piping, Delaney said. But he left something else behind at that scene: fingerprints.
Another early 2011 burglary was also tied to Vega, following an investigation by detectives, Delaney said.
On March 16, he allegedly broke into a house on Mulberry Street just after noon, smashing the back door of the apartment. In this incident, he reportedly made off with computers, jewelery, a printer and credit cards but also left behind fingerprints.
Delaney said Vega is a suspect in several other recent burglaries, including some in the Pine Point neighborhood.
Vega was taken into custody on felony breaking and entry as well as larceny charges. He was picked up on several active warrants around 2 p.m. Tuesday after he was reportedly found hiding in the basement of his Alice Street house.
He was held in lieu of $100,000 cash bail awaiting arraignment in Springfield District Court Wednesday morning.
Anyone with information pertaining to Vega's alleged criminal activities is asked to call the Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or use the Text-a- Tip program by addressing a text message to "CRIMES," or "274637," and begin the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."