Boston Man Indicted For String of Local Thefts

A Middlesex Superior Court grand jury has indicted Craig Cromartie, 44, of Dorchester, on charges that he burglarized apartments and homes in Newton and other area communities.

According to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, Cromartie faces five counts of unarmed burglary, four counts of attempted unarmed burglary, breaking and entering into a building with intent to commit a felony, five counts of possession of burglarious tools, five counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of wanton destruction of property, being an habitual offender, being a common and notorious thief and being a common and notorious receiver.

An arraignment date for Cromartie has not yet been set. 

“We allege this defendant has been burglarizing homes in Middlesex County and throughout Eastern Massachusetts,” Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a press release.  “I applaud the dedicated work of the multiple law enforcement agencies that have collaborated to ensure that this defendant is held accountable for his actions.”

Authorities charged Cromartie earlier this month after a lengthy investigation.

Police in Natick, Framingham, Medford, Waltham, Newton, Cambridge, Needham, Dedham, Wellesley, Brookline and Boston are investigating the case, according to the DA's office.

Police recently searched a Framingham hotel room Cromartie had been staying in and found items stolen during recent robberies, including jewelry, clothing and handbags. The burglaries occurred from December of 2011 to June of 2012, according to the DA's office. 

Cromartie is facing similar charges in Suffolk County and Norfolk County. He was arrested in June and remains held in Norfolk County on burglary charges, the DA's press release said.