Crime & Safety

Cops Say Stolen Salem UHaul Used in Lynnfield Storage Unit Break-Ins

Several thefts reported at Simply Self Storage on Broadway in Lynnfield over the past week. After surveillance, police arrest two and are continuing the investigation.

Lynnfield Police arrested two men Thursday in connection with some recent thefts at a self-storage facility in the town, and the case is connected to a stolen UHaul case in Salem, according to authorities.

Over the past week, several Lynnfield Police log entries have referred to thefts from units at the Simply Self Storage business located on Broadway.

On Thursday, Lynnfield Police arrested 43-year old Eric Reeves of Peabody and 28-year-old Michael Miramaldi of Waltham on numerous charges after a short investigation. A full list of the charges appears at the bottom of this story.

Lynnfield and Saugus police met during the week to set up surveillance at the business, where the thefts appear to have started about a week ago. On Thursday morning, police watching the property from the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot and elsewhere observed two men drive in to Simply Self Storage with a Uhaul box truck that would later be confirmed as stolen out of Salem.

A Ford pickup truck arrived at the scene several minutes later, driven by an individual renting a storage unit there. Police had reason to believe that this vehicle was also connected to the matter.

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While Lynnfield Officer Ray Barnes spoke to the driver of the pickup truck, Detective Anthony Hnath approached the two men with the Uhaul, who were allegedly loading it with items from a storage unit. One of the suspects allegedly threw down a child's chair he was carrying and ran out of the unit when Hnath confronted them, while he ordered the second suspect to wait by the Uhaul as Barnes arrived on the scene. Chief David Breen and Captain Karl Johnson arrived soon after.

Hnath reported a brief struggle with Reeves, who indicated he was out of breath but declined medical treatment. Both he and Miramaldi were brought to the Lynnfield Police Department and booked, and the Uhaul, which turned out to be reported stolen from a lot in Salem, was later taken there as well. Bail was denied to both individuals that night. Officer Paul Tomich reportedly transported Miramaldi to the station while Officer Mark Bettencourt transported Reeves.

With the two suspects in custody, police continued to speak with the other individual at the scene. The man, who was not charged with anything, reportedly declined to let police examine or photograph the contents of the storage unit he was renting, although it was noted that he did hold its door open for about 8 to 10 seconds for them.

Police are continuing to investigate these thefts and there is a possibility that there could be additional victims or defendants identified.

The complete arrest information for the two defendants named above is as follows:

Eric Reeves, age 43, 136 Goodale Street, Peabody. Charged with:
Breaking and entering into a building in the daytime for a felony
Larceny from a building
Out of town warrant, failure to appear
Using a motor vehicle for a felony or a larceny
Receiving a stolen motor vehicle
Conspiracy
Resisting Arrest

Michael Miramaldi, age 28, 119 Crescent Street, Waltham. Charged with:
Larceny from a building
Breaking and entering a building in the daytime for a felony
Conspiracy
Furnishing a false name or Social Security number
Receiving a stolen motor vehicle
Use of a motor vehicle in a felony or larceny
Three fugitive from justice court warrants

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