Burglary suspect faces more break-in charges

SWAMPSCOTT – A Lynn man already in jail on charges he burglarized several area homes has been additionally charged in connection with a rash of break-ins in October in Swampscott.Swampscott Police issued a warrant Tuesday charging Rashid Sparks, 21, of 45 Wyman St. #2, Lynn, with daytime felony breaking and entering, two counts; malicious destruction of property +$250, two counts; and larceny +$250, two counts; according to a statement from Swampscott Police Sgt. Tim Cassidy.Police issued the charges after finding fingerprints inside two of five Swampscott homes reported burglarized on Oct. 24 and 25. Police said the prints matched Sparks’ fingerprints.Sparks pleaded not guilty Nov. 12 to three counts of receiving stolen property over $250 and three counts of larceny over $250 by false pretense in two cases in Lynn District Court.He remains in Middleton Jail where he is being held in lieu of $2,000 cash bail since his arraignment.Police believe Sparks and a second suspect, tentatively identified as a 15-year-old juvenile from Lynn, are responsible for several house burglaries this October in Lynn, Swampscott, Saugus, Malden and Melrose, according to Cassidy.Police also believe a third individual is involved in the alleged incidents but has not been identified, Cassidy said.Cassidy said it is believed the suspects would act as newspaper boys as a way to get into houses and, if residents didn’t open the door, the men would break into the home by smashing in doors and windows. Many of the victims reported losing jewelry, electronics and personal items, police said.Police in November arrested Sparks on a warrant after recovering several pieces of stolen jewelry that Sparks had allegedly sold to pawnbrokers in Lynn and Revere.Cassidy said neither of the other suspects have been arrested.