Codie Medeiros

Ian Branco

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Two young Westport men were arrested early Tuesday, Nov. 12, after police say they were caught shortly after breaking into motor vehicles.

Westport Officer Jeremey Dellecese was on routine patrol on State Road at 1:30m a.m. when his attention was drawn to the Kozy Nook Restaurant, 645 State Road, said Detective Sgt. Christopher Dunn.

The officer spotted two individuals with what appeared to be a flashlight at the entrance to the restaurant on the building’s east side. Upon entering the parking lot, Officer Dellecese saw that the two individuals’ faces were mostly covered by knit caps and hoods.

Officer Dellecese confronted the men, later identified as Ian Branco, 18 of 1 South Berryman Street, and Codie Medeiros, 18, of 7 Crane Avenue, Westport. An investigation by Officer Dellecese, assisted by Officers Luc Sauve and Corey Mack, revealed Mr. Branco to be in possession of a utility knife and silver flashlight, while Mr. Medeiros was carrying a small folding knife and a green backpack containing a shifter from a motor vehicle. Sgt. Dunn said that both men admitted to having attempted to hot wire a white Chevrolet S10 pick-up truck and a yellow Mustang. Furthermore, Mr. Medeiros said that the shifter in his backpack was taken from the yellow Mustang. Officer Sauve located both vehicles in the rear of State Road Auto Sales, 851 State Road, Westport, and noticed damage to the yellow Mustang.

Other items were found in the backpack and Westport Police urge residents in the area to check their vehicles and contact the department if they notice that any items are missing.

Both Mr. Branco and Mr. Medeiros were charged with two counts of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle during the nighttime with the Intent to commit a felony, and one count each of malicious damage over $1,200. Both men were transported to the Fall River Justice Center for arraignment.

Westport Police Department remind residents to lock their vehicles at night as the majority of stolen items are removed from unlocked vehicles.