Crime & Safety
EG Man Arrested For Phillips Road House Breaks
He allegedly entered three houses Wednesday afternoon, two while residents were home, and was picked up a short time later walking on Bayberry Lane.
Police arrested Nicholas Hanlon, 22, of Bayberry Lane, for breaking and entering and other charges after he attempted to break into two occupied houses on Phillips Road Wednesday afternoon.
Police got a call at around 3:10 p.m. that a man was attempting to break into a house at 33 Phillips Rd. through a front window. According to Acting Police Chief Steven Brown, residents were alerted when their dog started barking and the man – Hanlon – calmly walked away.
As police were responding to the first call, a second call came in, from a resident of 83 Phillips Rd. Hanlon allegedly entered that house through a garage window but left when he discovered the resident was home.
Police called for assistance from North Kingstown and State Police, both of which responded. A short time later, NK Police Officer Timothy Daly saw a man (Hanlon) matching the description of the suspect walking on Bayberry Lane, carrying a portable lockbox. Bayberry is one block over from Phillips. Daly made the arrest and turned him over to EGPD detectives.
A resident of 115 Phillips Rd. told police his house had been entered as well. It turned out the lockbox Hanlon was carrying at the time of his arrest came from that house.
Hanlon also was found to be carrying several items of jewelry that had been reported stolen from a house at 26 Lafayette Drive Jan. 7, as well as a small amount of cocaine.
"He was caught relatively quickly," said Brown Thursday. "Kudos to the North Kingstown police officer."
He said about 10 officers responded in total.
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"I'm thankful for the mutual aid," Brown said, referring to the practice of police departments in nearby communities helping out when needed.
Brown noted the timing of the house breaks was unusual.
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"It was 3 o'clock and all the kids are coming home from school," he said. As well, he said, many retired people live in the neighborhood.
Hanlon was arraigned Thursday morning in Kent County District Court on these charges:
- Breaking and entering of a dwelling of a person over 60 years old
- Attempted breaking and entering
- Receiving stolen goods (two counts)
- Cocaine possession
Bail was set at $5,000 with surety, Det. Lt. Jay Fague said. As a condition of bail, Hanlon was ordered to have no contact with the victims. He is due back in court on March 10 for felony screening.
East Greenwich Police believe Hanlon may be responsible for other thefts. Several items of jewelry and a grey metal lockbox have not been identified by any of the victims. Anyone seeking further information on the jewelry is asked to contact EGPD detectives at 401-886-8685.
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