Lynn man accused of buying 6th stolen car

SALEM – Bail for a Lynn man accused of buying and receiving a stolen vehicle for the sixth time, remains at $250, despite a strong plea from the commonwealth for an increase.Jonathan Rodriguez, 24, of 47 Trinity Ave., #3, Lynn, remains free on bail after appearing for his arraignment Wednesday morning in Salem Superior Court.He pleaded innocent to a charge of buying and receiving a stolen motor vehicle, second or subsequent offense, in connection with his arrest earlier this year.Assistant District Attorney Greg A. Friedholm asked Judge David A. Lowy to increase the $250 cash bail on Rodriguez to $3,000 cash, saying he felt it was not enough to ensure his presence in court, citing his five prior convictions for receiving a stolen motor vehicle, record of defaults and the minimum mandatory punishment he was facing, a year in jail.He said the case stems from his arrest on Jan. 6 when Rodriguez was arrested in Lynn with a stolen car.Police said they arrested Rodriguez on Church Street after they caught him driving a stolen 2007 Saturn.The vehicle had been reported stolen that day.Defense lawyer Tatum Pritchard argued that the bail should stay the same, reminding Lowy that her client has appeared in court. She cited his roots in Lynn, work ethics and pointed out that he had always appeared in the past.Lowy acknowledged that his presence was “noteworthy,” as he agreed to set the same bail as previously set in district court, but with conditions he use no alcohol, consent to random drug testing, report twice a week to probation and remain employed or have at least five job applications on file.Rodriguez is due back in court on June 16 for a pretrial conference.