Two people were arrested Wednesday in connection with the recent theft of a safe from a VFW post in Billerica, Massachusetts.
Billerica police said 53-year-old Christopher John Silva, of Lowell, is charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime, conspiracy, larceny over $1,200, breaking into a depository and larceny from a building; and 47-year-old San Sin, also of Lowell, is charged with conspiracy, larceny over $1,200, breaking into a depository and larceny from a building.
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Around 8 a.m. Monday, police said they were called to the Solomon VFW Post at 12 Phiney St. for a report of a break-in and a stolen safe. A janitorial employee had entered the building that morning and noticed the safe, which is estimated to weigh around 300 pounds, was missing. The bartender said the safe was still inside when they left the night before.
A subsequent investigation used evidence recovered at the scene and surveillance footage from the area to develop information on a pickup truck that was used to haul the safe away from the VFW. Police ultimately identified Silva, Sin, and a third person — 32-year-old Peter George Poulakos, of Lowell — as suspects.
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The safe was discarded in Lowell and recovered by police as their investigation was ongoing.
On Wednesday, Billerica police, along with the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, executed a search warrant related to the investigation at an address on Wright Street in Lowell. The search turned up cash and evidence related to the break-in and theft of the safe.
Deanna Follis, who works at the VFW, said Silva is a former employee.
Police eventually arrested Silva and Sin without incident, but they are still searching for Poulakos. A fourth person — a 49-year-old Lowell man, is expected to be summonsed to court at a later date to face charges in connection with the incident. His name was not released by police.
Silva and Sin were each arraigned Thursday in Lowell District Court. They are each being held on cash bail. Their attorneys
