Suspect in Braintree Vending Machine Heist Found in Swamp on Christmas

A 47-year-old Boston man was tracked down in the Blue Hills and arrested after he allegedly broke into a business on Wood Road and tried to steal from its vending machines.

The man was found in a swamp a short distance from Wollaston Alloys shortly after 6 p.m. on Christmas by Braintree and Quincy police with assistance from a Randolph canine team, Chief Russell Jenkins said in a statement.

"Officers responding to a burglar alarm were advised that a maintenance manager was watching live video from his home and could see a man wearing a mask breaking into the vending machines," Jenkins said.

Police entered Wollaston Alloys through an open window and set up a perimeter, but the man, identified as Michael Bruzzese, fled out a rear door.

Officers heard brush breaking in the back and later took Bruzzese into custody without incident, Jenkins said.

Inside the business, officers found a trash barrel containing various items that Bruzzese allegedly collected to steal, including a laptop, tools and battery chargers. Jenkins also said that a vending machine was damaged, tools likely used in the theft were strewn about and officers found a shopping bag full of quarters.

Bruzzese was charged with breaking and entering, possession of burglarious tools and malicious damage to property.