Boston-area antique store owner accused of N.H. home breaks

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NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (AP) – Police in Massachusetts are investigating whether an antique store owner accused of breaking into homes in New Hampshire was selling items he allegedly stole at his boutique.

Richard Morrell was held on $10,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to one charge of receiving stolen property at his arraignment Thursday.

Morrell and his wife run a store called Vintage Diva in downtown Newburyport that describes itself as a seller of antiques, vintage clothing and home decor.

Authorities tell the Daily News of Newburyport that Morrell is suspected of breaking into homes in the New Hampshire communities of Lebanon, Enfield and Grantham.

Dave Rogers, a staff writer for the Eagle-Tribune newspaper in Massachusetts, reported in today’s edition that Morrell was arrested at gunpoint in front of his Horton Street home on Wednesday.

Rogers reported: “The receiving stolen property charge stems from a Seiko stainless steel watch valued at $300 reported missing by a New Hampshire man and found in the trunk of Morrell’s BMW.”

Police say Morrell has prior burglary convictions in New York, Vermont and Florida. He is due back in court on July 11 for a pretrial hearing.

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