iPhone App Points Police to Suspects in Vehicle Break-Ins

An iPhone app is to thank for pointing police to suspects in multiple car break-ins in Wayland and surrounding towns in early September.

Wayland Police responded to three motor vehicle breaking and enterings on Sept. 4 and 5. At the same time, Lincoln and Weston police received numerous reports of vehicles being broken into and items stolen in their towns, according to a press release.

Wayland Police Det. Sgt. Jamie Berger said one of the items stolen in the break-ins was an iPhone with a "Find My iPhone" app loaded on it. Berger said the phone's owner used the app to track the stolen phone to a Framingham address and then notified police of that address.

When police knocked on the door at 17 Fairbrook Road in Framingham, they recovered the stolen iPhone as well as other stolen electronics. The address was that of Jessica Hanam, 17, who told police where to find two other suspects who in turn led police to the fourth suspect.

According to a Wayland Police press release, Elias Breit, 20, formerly of Wayland, but now homeless; Nicholas Murphy, 18, of 208 Marlboro Road, Sudbury; Jonathan Megidesh, 18, of 257 Hudson Road, Sudbury; and Hanam are now facing multiple charges.

Berger said the four are acquaintances who have been "doing this for a little bit." He said they have been selling the stolen items on various websites, and police recovered "tons of evidence" connected to the crimes.

Recovered items include GPS devices, iPods, phones, jewelry, sunglasses and more, according to the Wayland Police Department Facebook page.

Berger said about 25 items police recovered have not yet been identified by their rightful owners. He asked that anyone who experienced a car break-in but did not report it, to contact police at 508-358-4721.

Breit was arrested on an outstanding warrant and the other suspects have been charged and will be summonsed today. Hanam faces three counts of motor vehicle breaking and entering and three counts of larceny over $250, as well as one count of conspiracy. Murphy and Megidesh each face two counts of motor vehicle breaking and entering and two counts of larceny over $250, as well as one count of conspiracy.

Breit is facing three counts of motor vehicle breaking and entering, three counts of larceny over $250 and one count of conspiracy. In addition, Breit is being charged with one count of residential breaking and entering as well as one count of attempted residential breaking and entering related to incidents in August.

The break-ins appeared to target unlocked vehicles. Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles when not in use and to avoid leaving valuables in their cars.