WORCESTER – Early Friday afternoon, the suspect wanted for breaking into the Islamic Society at 57 Laurel St. was arrested by the Worcester Police Department [WPD].
According to the WPD, just before 1 PM on Friday, an officer was working an off-duty assignment directing traffic at the Worcester Islamic Center at 248 E. Mountain St., when he was approached by a citizen who told him that the suspectwho had been breaking into mosques was currently inside the mosque at 248 East Mountain St.
The suspect, identified as Mohammed Al Murad, 35, of 18 Upland Gardens Dr. #1, made eye contact with the officer. The officer recognized Al Murad from a photo [seen above] that circulated through the community and the department. Al Murad ran away and the officer pursued him. When the officer caught up with him in the parking lot outside the mosque, Al Murad refused to take his hands out of his pockets, and the officer feared he might have a weapon. There were many people outside the mosque, and Al Murad had caused traffic to stop.
Al Murad was placed under arrest and charged with Breaking and Entering into a Depository (donation box), Larceny in a Building, Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace. He will be arraigned in Worcester District Court.
