Lynn police arrest man for breaking into home

LYNN – A judge doubled a prosecutor’s request, ordering $2,000 bail for a Medford man found staggering down the street with money, a laptop and other items later reported stolen from a local home.”Oh my God, he stole Price Rite mustard!” the alleged victim exclaimed, according to a report by Lynn Police Officer John Clem.Arthur R. Mellen, 49, of 57 Washington St., Medford, was arrested and charged with nighttime felony breaking and entering; vandalizing property; and a default warrant; at 8:36 p.m. Saturday. A plea of not guilty was entered on Mellen’s behalf at his arraignment on the new charges Monday in Lynn District Court.Police responded to a report of an “intoxicated male staggering in the street,” and found Mellen on the corner of Tacoma and Centre streets at approximately 8:13 p.m. Saturday, according to court documents. Police said Mellen smelled of alcohol and was slurring his speech. Police said he also had a laptop computer in one hand and, in the other hand, a plastic bag containing a digital camera and a jar of mustard. Police learned Mellen had an outstanding warrant and arrested him.During booking, police said they found a bottle of prescription medicine with the name of a Tacoma Street resident. When an officer returned the bottle, the resident said she had just returned home to find her house burglarized and a laptop and cash missing, according to police.Police reported Mellen had $192 cash, cash from the Dominican Republic, two silver bracelets and car keys the alleged victim identified as being from her home. Footprints in the snow near the residence and leading to a broken-down door were consistent with Mellen’s footwear, police said. The laptop had a welcome screen with the name of the alleged victim’s family member, the alleged victim had family photographs on the digital camera found on Mellen and identified her songs on the iPod that Mellen was carrying, according to police.Essex Assistant District Attorney Emily Mello requested Mellen be held on $1,000 cash bail, citing a record of burglary, larceny, assault and firearms charges with 18 defaults and 28 guilty findings.Court-appointed defense attorney Nicholas Morris said Mellen denied the charges. He said Mellen’s last “substantial” incident before the court was dismissed in 2003, and Mellen had just started working again after being out of work for three years after he fell from a roof.”He has substance abuse issues, it’s clear, but I don’t think putting him in jail is going to help anybody in this situation,” Morris told the court. He requested Mellen be released to clear up his warrant.”I think the Commonwealth has a strong case, I’m going to double the Commonwealth’s request,” Judge Richard Mori said, ordering $2,000 cash bail for the charges.Mellen is scheduled to return to court Feb. 24.