Suspects apprehended in regional burglaries
By Melissa McKeon JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

Two suspects arraigned last week in Leominster District Court on firearms charges are believed to be connected to a series of break-ins in the northern Worcester County area, including recent robberies in Westminster.

An investigation by state police assigned to the Worcester District Attorney's office and the Leominster barracks along with police from Gardner, Leominster and Westminster participated in the investigation and arrest after learning that James Bergeron, 46, whose last known address is 104 Granite St., Fitchburg, and Damon Wuth, 25, whose last known address is 27 Mill Creek Road, Ashby were in possession of firearms.

Bergeron was driving and Wuth was in the vehicle when the two were stopped in Leominster and arrested.

Last week, Westminster Police Chief Salvator Albert said more than $25,000 worth of merchandise was stolen with small electronics, jewelry and other easy to grab items. Albert had said more than $100,000 worth of merchandise has been taken throughout the area.

They were arraigned in Leominster District Court July 19 on charges of carrying a firearm without a license (four counts); possession of ammunition without FID card; possession of a sawed-off shotgun; and possession of a firearm with defaced serial numbers.

Bergeron was held on $75,000 cash bail and Wuth was held on $30,000 cash bail. The cases were continued to August 20 for a pre-trial hearing.

No breaking and entering charges have yet been filed, but the Worcester District Attorney's office confirmed that they are suspects in several of the North County burglaries.

Sterling Police Chief Gary Chamberland, whose town saw three burglaries on June 25, was relieved to hear of the arrests.

"We were devoting a lot of resources to that side of town," Chamberland said.

Gardner police had arrested a Hubbardston man last week in connection to this string of robberies.