Cops Nab Dedham Man In Connection with $69K Theft

have arrested a Dedham man in connection with the May 26 theft of $69,000 in materials from a locked construction site.

Alberto Zuniga, 38, of 134 Crane St., Dedham, was arrested Tuesday and charged with larceny of construction tools, larceny over $250, malicious/wanton/defacement to property, breaking and entering and trespassing. He was expected to be arraigned today in Natick District Court.

Police provided the following details of the circumstances leading to his arrest:

On Saturday, May 26, individuals entered the locked area of a construction site at 5 Chrysler Rd. While there, several storage trailers were compromised and approximately $69,000 in tools and materials were taken. The theft was reported to police three days later.

"Working from information received from parties known to us, Det. Chad Howard was able to locate the vehicle," Lt. Brian Grassey wrote in a post on the department's Facebook page. "Det. Howard was able to supply enough information to establish probable cause to search the vehicle and premises where it could be located. A search warrant was issued."

Howard, members of the Investigative Services Division and members of the Dedham Police Department served the warrant yesterday. As a result, several items previously reported stolen were recovered. The approximate value of the recovered items is $15,000, police said. Zuniga was arrested after the warrant was served.

A continuing investigation into the event may result in more charges being filed.