LITTLETON — On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Littleton police arrested a 36-year-old Acton man in Leominster in connection with two break-ins at a commercial property in Littleton and the theft of equipment valued at approximately $75,000.
Gary Hamel, 36, of Acton, was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime, larceny over $1,200, and malicious destruction of property over $1,200, according to the Littleton Police Department.
On Monday, July 13, Littleton police responded to a commercial property on Nagog Hill Road following a report of a break-in. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that someone had damaged a door to force entry into a commercial garage and stolen a Gravely lawn mower valued at approximately $5,000.
On Saturday, July 18, Littleton police officers conducted a proactive check of the same property and discovered that the garage had been broken into again. The Littleton Police Department reported that, on that day, police found out that a door was again damaged to gain entry, and a Kubota tractor valued at approximately $70,000 was stolen.
A subsequent investigation by Littleton police officers and detectives, conducted in collaboration with the Acton Police Department, identified Hamel as a suspect.
Littleton police obtained an arrest warrant for Hamel from Ayer District Court on Monday, July 20, based on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Littleton police then worked with officers in Acton, Pepperell, and Leominster to locate and arrest Hamel in Leominster the following morning.
The Kubota tractor was recovered, and in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 21, the Littleton Police Department said they expect to recover the Gravely mower within several days.
Hamel was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Ayer District Court.
Littleton police said they are continuing to work with other law enforcement agencies to investigate several additional break-ins reported in town during the past two months.
The Littleton Police Department said it has increased patrols near George, Laura, Christina, Foster, and King streets, as well as Great and Edsel roads, which are under active investigation in connection with other break-ins.
The Littleton Police Department will hold a public meeting on Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Littleton Council on Aging, located at 33 Shattuck Street, to discuss the investigations, answer residents’ questions, and provide safety recommendations.
“The Littleton Police Department is committed to keeping the community informed and involved, and we want to share information and some basic safety measures that community members can take to help us and protect themselves,” Littleton Police Chief Douglas Landry said. Adding, “I want to commend the officers and detectives involved in all of our ongoing investigations, and I look forward to engaging with community members.”
