A string of car break-ins from Marion to Dartmouth led police to a suspect in New Bedford and the recovery of many stolen items.

Marion Police have been working with their Mattapoisett, New Bedford and Dartmouth counterparts to apprehend the suspect, who has not been named, but who is believed to have broken into several unlocked cars in the area of Converse Road as well as a Marion home on Dec. 31.

The residents of the house were asleep on the second floor when the break-in occurred. The thief stole several items from the house and used keys in the home to steal a Toyota Avalon. A Marion Police report states that the car was later discovered in New Bedford.

Mattapoisett Police also stated on Dec. 26 that there were car break-ins in the areas of Point Connett, Tupola Lane and Atkinson Way.

In New Bedford, detectives placed the Avalon under surveillance and were able to identify a suspect, who had a medical emergency during an interview with police. The suspect was taken to the hospital.

Police received a search warrant for the suspect's apartment and found most of the items stolen from the Marion home as well as some from the Mattapoisett break-ins.

A stolen Toyota Tacoma was later discovered in Marion in the same neighborhood where the Avalon was taken. The Tacoma was stolen earlier in the week in Dartmouth. The same suspect in the Marion break-ins is believed to have stolen the truck.

The investigation is ongoing.

Rochester has experienced several house invasions recently as well, though police have not indicated that these incidents are connected to those in Marion and Mattapoisett.

On Dec. 21, a thief entered an unlocked in the 100 block of Mattapoisett Road and stole jewelry and electronics. On Dec. 28, someone forced open the door of a home on the 300 block of North Avenue and stole electronics. Both incidents were in the daytime.

Police are urging residents to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and to keep their cars and houses locked.

Further information will be added as it becomes available.