Dorchester man suspected in 200 burglaries arraigned on charges of receiving stolen property

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

A Dorchester man allegedly responsible for as many as 200 burglaries across Massachusetts was arraigned Wednesday in Dorchester District Court on 10 counts of receiving stolen property after dozens of items stolen from suburban homes were recovered in his apartment by authorities this summer, the Suffolk district attorney’s office said.

Craig Cromartie, 44, was ordered held on $5,000 bail and ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device, if he is released.

In June, Boston and suburban police alleged that Cromartie was responsible for at least 200 break-ins, stealing more than $1 million worth of merchandise. After searching his home, detectives said they found designer handbags, electronics, jewelry, collectible coins, and clothing that were believed to have been stolen. Those items were linked to burglaries in Arlington, Brookline, Framingham, Medford, Newton, and Waltham through 2011 and early 2012.

Cromartie’s criminal past spans a 27-page record with adult convictions dating back to 1985, prosecutors said. In the past, he has been found guilty of breaking and entering, larceny, identity fraud, forgery, assault and battery on a public employee, distribution of a Class B substance, and burglary. He has 26 open cases or convictions on breaking and entering or burglary charges, said Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

Judge Robert Tochka slated another hearing in the case for Nov. 1.