Quincy Scanner Tales: Arrest in office robbery case; Jewelry stolen from homes

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent

Man arrested in connection with law office robbery

A homeless man has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a Quincy law office in which a credit card and several guns were taken.

According to police, officers arrested Joseph Maskell, 26, formerly of Brockton, in Lynn on Thursday on the Quincy warrant.

He has since been charged with identity fraud, receiving stolen property, credit card fraud, and larceny under $250.

He is being held in Dedham on the charges, police said.

Police are still investigating the break-in concerning the guns, officers said.

On Sept. 17, police said that a man had broken into the law office of Braintree Planning Board Chairman Robert Harnais, located on Foster Street.

Although the firearms were locked up, the thief allegedly found the key and procured the weapons. Two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun were stolen.

The victim’s credit card was also stolen and used at a Tedeschi shop and at the Quincy Center T. Police obtained video from Tedeschi’s, which they used to identify the suspect.

Jewelry stolen in two house breaks

Police are investigating a report of two robberies in Quincy in which similar items were taken.

According to police, the first robbery occurred at Oakland Avenue on Monday. The front door had been forced in and a large amount of jewelry stolen, police said.

Similarly, a house on Furnace Brook Avenue near Oakland Ave, was broken into on Monday. There, the rear basement door had been kicked in and a large amount of jewelry stolen as well.

Both robberies are still under investigation, police said. Anyone with information on either of these crimes is encouraged to contact the Quincy Police.