The Martha's Vineyard Times

Oak Bluffs police make arrest in Murdick's break-in

By Nelson Sigelman
August 31, 2011

Photo courtesy of Dukes County Sheriff's Department

Richard Abrazinski

Oak Bluffs police will seek charges against an Edgartown man, in connection with an early morning break-in and the theft of a cash register containing a significant amount of cash, from Murdick's Fudge on Circuit Avenue on Sunday, August 21.

Lieutenant Tim Williamson said police plan to charge Richard Abrazinski, 49, with breaking and entering in the daytime with the intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250, and larceny from a building.

Mr. Williamson credited Detective Nick Curelli with solving the case. Based on video surveillance footage Detective Curelli spoke to Mr. Abrazinski in the Dukes County Jail where he was being held because of a probation violation on an earlier shoplifting charge. During questioning, Mr. Abrazinski confessed to the Murdick's theft, according to Mr. Williamson.

According to police, the thief entered the shop in the early morning through a back window and removed the shop's register that held approximately $4,000. Tipped off by a passerby, police, two days later, found an abandoned white bicycle, the empty register, and a large green trash bag they suspect may have been used to hide the register. No cash has been recovered.