Boston Police Probe South Boston Late-Night Break-Ins After Residents Report Bedroom Intrusions and Window Prying

Residents report late-night intrusions across a small area of South Boston

Boston Police are investigating a series of late-night incidents in South Boston in which residents say an unknown man approached homes, attempted to enter buildings, and in at least one case made it into an apartment while occupants were asleep.

The most recent reported encounter occurred late Sunday night, March 1, 2026, shortly before 11 p.m., when home security video captured a hooded man walking up the rear steps of a three-family home on Telegraph Street. The footage shows the man turning away and leaving after a motion-activated light came on and he appeared to notice a camera.

Earlier reports describe a window opening and an entry through an unlocked door

Residents in the same area described a separate incident weeks earlier in which a person was heard walking outside a third-floor unit during snowy conditions, followed by a window being opened and a man’s face appearing at the window. The resident yelled, and the person fled.

Hours later, in an incident documented in a police report, a man entered an apartment on Mercer Street at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, after opening an unlocked sliding door. A resident reported waking to find an unidentified man in the bedroom and chasing him out of the apartment. Police noted there were no signs of forced entry and no reports of items taken.

In the Mercer Street case, residents told police they were unable to provide a detailed description of the suspect.

What investigators are trying to determine

Police have not publicly announced an arrest in connection with the incidents. Investigators are working to determine whether the reports involve the same individual and whether the behavior reflects attempted burglaries, trespassing, or another pattern of criminal conduct.

Video footage, resident accounts, and the geographic proximity of the locations are central to the inquiry. The incidents described by residents include approaches to rear entrances, attempted access through upper-floor windows, and entry through an unlocked door—details that can shape investigative priorities and neighborhood safety guidance.

Public safety guidance and how residents can report information

• Call 911 if a break-in is in progress or if an unknown person is inside a building.
• Secure doors and windows, including sliders and rear entries, and confirm exterior lighting is working.
• Preserve and share any relevant camera footage with investigators.

Boston Police are asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact detectives at 617-343-4742. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting “TIP” to CRIME (27463).

Police have emphasized the importance of timely reporting and actionable details, including dates, times, precise locations, and any distinguishing characteristics visible in footage.