New Bedford man arrested in connection with car break-in

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department said a “repeat offender” was arrested in connection with a car break-in and shoplifting incident.

45-year-old Javier Montalvo was charged with breaking and entering into a vehicle at night for the purpose of a felony, possession of a knife, the length of which violated city ordinance regulations, and shoplifting.

The department said that officers were assisting Dartmouth police on Feb. 6 investigating a shoplifting incident at the Cumberland Farms on Rockdale Avenue.

Police searched the area and located a suspect, allegedly Montalvo, near a broken-into car.

The owner of the car was in the area and reported a number of stolen items, which were allegedly on Montalvo’s person.

Police said that Montalvo also had four open cases out of New Bedford District Court for which he was out on bail, as well as a lengthy criminal history including 33 arraignments with 15 convictions for a variety of offenses.