Marblehead men suspected in car break-ins remain free

LYNN – A judge allowed two Marblehead men to remain free Wednesday after police said the two and a third individual broke into multiple cars in two neighborhoods one night in August.Douglas Broughton Jr., 20, and Nathan Nevins, 21, both of Marblehead, appeared in Lynn District Court Wednesday where each pleaded not guilty to nighttime felony breaking and entering, seven counts; daytime felony breaking and entering, two counts; larceny +$250, seven counts; and larceny -$250.A third co-defendant was also issued a summons to appear in court, according to Marblehead Police.Police reported responding at 6:15 a.m. Aug. 20 to Valley Road on Marblehead Neck on the report of three parties breaking into a vehicle. Officers found Broughton, Nevins and the third individual, and each gave different stories of what they had been doing and had “visible outlines of property in all of their pockets,” Marblehead Police Sgt. Jason Conrad reported.Police said Broughton and Nevins said they were both homeless and had no source of legal income, and so could not account for the cash, GPS, an iPhone, cigars and other items in their possession.Police received reports throughout the rest of that day of other car burglaries on the Neck and from Shorewood, Pinecliff, Arrowhead and other roads near Tower School.Nevins later told police he and his co-defendants started in the Shorewood Road area, splitting up and using their cellphones to keep in touch as they broke into cars, police reported. The group then went out Ocean Avenue and the Neck to continue breaking into cars and stashed some burglarized items at a small park by the causeway. Police reported the phones had text messages indicating the third co-defendant had tried to sell the items.?The second text stated ?well go back tho and try to get them off,’ likely referring to items the three attempted to steal but were unsuccessful (at stealing) at the time,” Conrad reported. “It should be noted that specific house ornaments have been reported stolen recently during the late night/early morning hours. Investigation into those crimes is ongoing.”Police reported recovering cellphones, credit cards, sunglasses, cash and electronics from multiple cars and victims.Essex Assistant District Attorney Aimee Conway requested the defendants be given a bail warning to ensure their next appearance in court. Judge David Dunbar Livingston issued a bail warning to each defendant and scheduled each to return to court Nov. 5.