Quincy Police search for man who broke into low-income apartments for elderly, disabled

QUINCY, Mass. — Quincy police are searching for a man who broke into several apartments in a low-income building for elderly and disabled residents Monday afternoon.

The suspect, who was caught on newly installed surveillance cameras, is seen following an older man through several doors at the Quincy Housing Authority high-rise on Clay Street. The resident, walking with a cane through the hallway and then a stairwell, apparently does not realize the suspect is following him.

"He was very smooth about following people in," said James Marathas, executive director of the Quincy Housing Authority. "He was pretending that he was on his phone, he was doing things to distract people, so that they didn’t even recognize that they were being followed."

The thief broke into at least four apartments. He walked several floors, checking for unlocked doors, and gaining access to other apartments by walking across attached balconies between units.

Resident Paula Mucci returned to her unlocked apartment Monday to find her credit card stolen.

"I left my door open. I thought I could be safe in my own home, and I'm all around the building, you know, visiting and laundry," said Mucci, who has lived in the building for 30 years. "I came home, and I found my wallet opened and my prayers and my papers all over, and I knew someone was in there. There was, like, a certain energy. And then I saw my card gone."

The thief used Mucci's credit card and other victims' at Walgreen's in Cambridge. Mucci told Boston 25 News Thursday he racked up a $200 charge there and attempted to spend another $1,000 at Best Buy.

"It’s upsetting. I didn’t get to bed until 4 a.m.," Mucci said. "You feel kind of invaded, you know, your privacy."

Quincy Housing Authority printed 2,000 flyers to hand-deliver to residents of the building and to leave at a nearby apartment building, not only warning neighbors but also urging them to come forward with information about the suspect.

"These folks live on very, very, very low incomes," Marathas said of the residents. "They need every single one of their dollars to get through the month between food, groceries, prescriptions and then their rent. It’s the worst crime that can be committed on an elderly or disabled person."

Mucci said she and her neighbors are now taking extra precautions to stay safe.

"I'm locking my door all the time," Mucci said. "I'm aware of what's around me. I have a little dog that I take out, and I never take him out in the dark now."

Marathas is hopeful the clear surveillance images of the suspect will result in an arrest.

Quincy police ask anyone with information to contact Detective William Monteith at 617-745-5767, or wmonteith@quincyma.gov.

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