Rhode Island Man Sentenced For Seekonk House Break
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
March 16, 2016
District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that a 26-year-old Rhode Island man was sentenced to serve four-and-a-half years in state prison after pleading guilty last week to breaking into a Seekonk home.
Miguel Cuevas pleaded guilty to charges of breaking and entering during the daytime, malicious destruction of property and receiving stolen property. He submitted the “unagreed plea” to Fall River Superior Court Judge Gregg Pasquale.
Assistant District Attorney Brian Griffin, who prosecuted the case, argued the defendant should serv five to seven years in state prison due to his prior record of breaking and entering in Rhode Island. Mr. Cuevas’ defense, however, argued for a three years prison sentence. After hearing from both sides, Judge Pasquale order the defendant to be committed to state prison for four-and-a-half years.
On June 2, 2015 the defendant broke into a home in Seekonk, while the homeowner was inside. The victim, a 57 year old retired school teacher was at home at about 2 pm when the Cuevas and co-defendants pulled into her driveway. She saw a codefendant go to the front door while Mr. Ceuvas went to the back. The man at the front door began to peer into the home suspiciously. The victim became frightened and called 911.
In the meantime, Mr. Cuevas moved a planter over to a window and jimmied the window to get inside. Mr. Cuevas and his co-defendants fled the home a short while later after realizing the police were on their way to the home. Mr. Cuevas and his three co-defendants jumped back into the car and drove off just as police arrived. A short high speed chase ensued before a co-defendant driver crashed the car, and all suspects were apprehended.
“This defendant is a repeat offender who broke into a dwelling while a woman was home. Fortunately she called 911 and scared him off before he could terrorize her more,” District Attorney Quinn said. “The defendant belongs in state prison, but it should have been for a longer period of time based on his record.”
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576–cell