Ipswich Police Arrest Teen after Vehicle is Stolen, Multiple Car Breaks Reported in Town

IPSWICH — Chief Paul Nikas reports that the Ipswich Police Department arrested a teenage male after items were stolen from and a car was broken into at a local business and multiple residents reported their cars broken into and items stolen.

As a result of diligent work by Ipswich Police, JESSE MARCHAND-LAYTON, AGE 18, OF GLOUCESTER was arrested and charged with:

  • Larceny of a motor vehicle
  • Breaking and Entering during the Nighttime to commit a Felony
  • Shoplifting
  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Using a Motor Vehicle without Authority
  • Speeding

At 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, Ipswich Police were dispatched to DJ’s Variety Store, located at the corner of Washington Street and Broadway Avenue after an employee reported to police that they had seen a male suspect attempt to steal several items from the store. The employee confronted the suspect, identified as MARCHAND-LAYTON who fled, leaving a cellphone on the checkout counter in the process.

The suspect then was observed getting into the employee’s vehicle, which was parked in the store parking lot, but the suspect then fled on foot. 

Officers responded immediately and initiated a search of the area and took note that the description given for the suspect matched the description of MARCHAND-LAYTON, an individual who is well-known to police 

The investigation led police to an Ipswich residence where the suspect has been known to frequent. Officers arriving at the home observed a small white sport utility vehicle driving toward the residence at a high rate of speed. An officer followed the vehicle at a distance until the vehicle stopped near the residence. Officers immediately closed in and placed MARCHAND-LAYTON, the operator of the vehicle, in custody.

Several products known to be stolen from the DJ’s Variety store were found in MARCHAND-LAYTON’S possession upon his arrest. The vehicle he was driving was also determined to be stolen from another nearby residence.

MARCHAND-LAYTON was booked at Ipswich Police Department and is being held on $5,000 cash bail pending his arraignment Friday in Ipswich District Court.

MARCHAND-LAYTON is known to police.

Chief NIkas and the Ipswich Police Department would like to thank the store clerk and area residents for stepping up and assisting police by providing good, timely information to investigators.

Protect Your Vehicle

Ipswich Police urge residents to always lock and secure their vehicles. Additional safety tips, courtesy the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, include the following:

  • Take your keys, don’t leave them in your vehicle.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors
  • Park in well-lit areas, preferably a garage, if possible.
  • Never leave valuables in your vehicle, and if you do, make sure they are out of sight.

For more tips on vehicle safety and preventing break-ins courtesy the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, click here.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

 

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