Crime & Safety

Bristol Father, Son Charged with Theft of Handguns, $25K in Jewelry

Portsmouth Police reported the Jan. 3 arrests of David Welch, 41, of Bristol, and his son, a Middletown resident.

 

Bristol Police assisted officers from Portsmouth in the arrest of a father and son on charges of stealing handguns and $25,000 worth of jewelry from a Portsmouth residence. 

David Welch, 41, of Bristol, and his son, Justin Welch, of Middletown, are both charged with breaking and entering and larceny.

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A bail hearing is scheduled for David Welch for Jan. 15 in Second District Court. No further court hearings had been scheduled for Justin Welch by Monday afternoon.

The arrests stem from an incident that occurred on Dec. 26 on Mitchell's Lane in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Police say thieves broke into the home and stole jewelry and firearms. More than $25,000 in jewelry was reportedly stolen from the residence. 

Find out what's happening in Bristol-Warrenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An investigation led to the father and son, and a search of the father's home resulted in detectives finding several of the missing weapons and jewelry, according to police reports. 

Portsmouth police issued arrest warrants for both men. Bristol Police arrested David Welch on Thursday at his home. Justin Welch, surrendered to police on Thursday.

David Welch is also scheduled to appear at a pre-trial hearing in Sixth District Court on March 1 on a charge of driving with a suspended license brought by Bristol Police. He is due to appear at another March 1 court hearing on two felony counts of receiving stolen goods and one felony count of drug possession brought by Bristol Police.


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