Police avert theft at Mass. coin shop

Police avert theft at coin shop

An attempted coin thief came up short when a police officer
spotted him near a break-in.

The officer was on patrol early Sunday morning when he spotted a
suspicious male in the downtown area, and heard an alarm moments later.

The officer followed the alarm noise to North Shore Numismatics, a
coin shop on Main Street. He found the shop's plate glass window was
shattered, and as he investigated the area he observed the same male
watching him from down the street.

When the officer turned toward the man, the suspect began to run
away. The officer pursued him and began questioning him. The suspect,
Michael R. Garvin of 28 Mitchell Lane, denied involvement in the break.

The officer said Garvin's breath smelled strongly of alcohol, and
he put the suspect into protective custody.

The officer then continued investigation of the break. He said a
piece of concrete, from a flower pot belonging to an adjacent hair
salon, was used to break the glass. The owner of North Shore
Numismatics later arrived and said nothing was missing.
Gavin was charged with attempted breaking and entering and intent
to commit a felony.