Published: 9/23/2021 10:47:00 AM
GREENFIELD — A 24-year-old Greenfield man was arrested in connection with a string of breaking and entering and larceny charges, while also remaining a person of interest in an ongoing investigation of a stolen truck that was found on fire in Gill on Tuesday.
Ion Covalenco was arraigned on multiple charges this week pertaining to crimes that occurred between Sunday, Sept. 19, and Tuesday, Sept. 21. A police report written by Greenfield Police Detective Justin Purinton states that Covalenco was first arrested on Sept. 19 for breaking into numerous vehicles in Greenfield, and, following his release, has been dealt with numerous times since.
Police first responded to a report of a man matching Covalenco’s description breaking into a vehicle on Wells Street at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Officers were told the suspect had in his possession three “tapestry/canvas type bags” and was suspected of stealing a wallet from the vehicle, according to the police report.
Officers then received another report of a man in similar clothing carrying multiple purses at around 9 p.m. that same day. While they were unable to locate the suspect during the first two events, officers were dispatched at around 10:07 p.m. that night for a report of a man who attempted to break into two cars on Russell Street, the police report states. Covalenco was located and arrested following a foot pursuit, and officers retrieved the wallet that was taken from the Wells Street vehicle.
Covalenco was arrested on Sunday on charges of breaking and entering, and was arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Monday.
He was arrested again on Tuesday on charges related to breaking and entering and theft of a vehicle. According to Detective Purinton’s narrative, a vehicle was stolen from James Street in Greenfield on Tuesday, and Massachusetts State Police pursued the vehicle until it crashed in Whately. Identification for Covalenco was located inside the vehicle, the police report states, although he was not apprehended at the time.
Later that morning, a box truck was stolen from South Deerfield, though no suspect was known at the time. This truck was later located after it crashed and caught fire in Gill. Greenfield officers — as well as officers from Gill and Erving, Massachusetts State Police troopers and a Montague Police Department K-9 — searched the area for the missing driver.
Then, at roughly 4 p.m., officers received a report of a man matching Covalenco’s description breaking into a vehicle at Valley Steel Stamp in Greenfield. Upon arrival, Purinton wrote in his report that he spotted Covalenco riding a bicycle.
“I have been involved in numerous investigations and arrests involving Covalenco breaking into motor vehicles,” Purinton’s report reads.
Purinton said he radioed for backup and stopped Covalenco on Bernardston Road. The bicycle he was riding was later discovered to have been stolen as well.
According to the police report, Covalenco’s pants were soaking wet. When asked why they were wet, Covalenco allegedly stated he did not wish to answer the question without an attorney present.
After it was discovered he was in possession of items stolen from the vehicle at Valley Steel Stamp, officers arrested Covalenco, the police report states. Police collected numerous other items from Covalenco during the booking process that were kept in the event that officers received reports of more vehicle break-ins.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Gill Police Chief Christopher Redmond said Covalenco is still considered a person of interest, but while a joint investigation with the Whately Police Department is ongoing, they have yet to file charges in connection with Tuesday’s stolen box truck.
Redmond also said he was unaware what charges the Greenfield Police Department may bring forth. Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. could not be reached Wednesday afternoon.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.
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