Trio break into dead man's apartment

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) -- Officers were called to a break-in in progress just before midnight Wednesday to a home where the resident, James Irons, had passed away hours earlier of natural causes.

When police arrived to the first floor apartment at 109 Tallman Street they noticed a side window had been pried open, and then saw two men and one woman carrying a 72-inch flat screen television right out of the residence.

Corey Chase, 39, of New Bedford, was able to break away and fled on foot. He was found a short distance away and was taken into custody.

The female suspect, 36-year-old Sherrie Costa, is the second floor tenant at Tallman Street, and police said she had knowledge of her neighbor's passing after she saw officers inside his first floor apartment hours earlier.

Police also arrested 48-year-old Gwendolyn Alcorn of New Bedford and have charged all three suspects with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, larceny in a building and possession of burglary tools.

A screwdriver was found in Chase's possession during his arrest. Police said he used it to pry open the window.

All three were arraigned Thursday morning in New Bedford District Court.