Career criminal nabbed in business break-ins

WEST WARWICK R.I. (WPRI) – State police arrested a convicted felon Thursday in connection with burglaries at three separate businesses.

State Police arrested David Degrasse of West Warwick on three counts of breaking and entering into a building at night, attempted breaking and entering, and possession of burglary tools.

"He knows which wires to cut, he knows how to gage police response. He's more sophisticated than your average person that's out there", said Capt. Michael Winquist of the Rhode Island State Police.

During the arrest early Thursday morning, police said troopers searched his vehicle and East St. apartment and found burglary tools, a mask, gloves, breaching tools, and a wire cutter.

Investigators said they also discovered more than $600 stashed in a hidden compartment in his bedside table.

Investigators said Degrasse targeted the businesses and, prior to entering, he deactivated the alarm systems. When inside, they said he gained access to the businesses’ safes, cash registers, and ATM’s and stole $30,000.

Police were able to identify Degrasse as a result of an in-depth investigation.

"We were aware of his method of operation because it matched so closely to what we saw in 2001. The giveaway was that he had a distinctive tattoo on his left wrist. Doing research on that tattoo, we were able to focus on him as a suspect", said Capt. Winquist.

State police said he has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1984 that landed him in prison for more than 10 years. He was released from prison earlier this year after being convicted in 2001.

He is now being held without bail as a parole violator.