SHREWSBURY — A Worcester man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly breaking into a home in the Edgemere section of Shrewsbury and fleeing from police through backyards and into Lake Quinsigamond.
According to the Shrewsbury Police Department, officers were dispatched to Robertson Drive at 1:38 p.m. on May 20, 2025, for a report of an attempted break-in. Upon arrival, officers spoke with witnesses who said the suspect had fled on foot. One home was found to have been forcibly entered, while a second showed signs of attempted forced entry.
Thirteen Shrewsbury officers, assisted by multiple Massachusetts State Police Troopers, set up a perimeter and canvassed the area. A drone unit and State Police K-9 team also joined the search.
At approximately 2:12 p.m., Lieutenant Nick Perna spotted the suspect wading through water behind a Lakeside Drive residence. As the man stepped onto a dock, Lt. Perna ordered him to the ground at gunpoint. Lieutenant Kevin Caviston and Officer Alex Desimone arrived shortly after and took him into custody without incident.
Police said the man had several stolen items from the victim’s home in his possession, along with a black ski mask. Detective Chris Vieira later recovered a backpack containing additional items connected to the break-in.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Walker, 34, of Worcester, was charged with daytime breaking and entering, larceny from a building, receiving stolen property under $1,200, possession of burglarious instruments, conspiracy, attempted to commit a crime (breaking and entering), malicious destruction of property, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.
