Man arrested in $240K robbery of East Boston business

A man has been arrested in connection to a $240,000 robbery in East Boston earlier this month.

Boston Police responded on Saturday to a report of a breaking and entering in progress inside of 212 Waldemar Ave. where two men were using power tools to enter an apartment.

Officers arrested 55-year-old Timothy Deconinck of Malden and 59-year-old William Cataldo of Saugus. Deconinck was found with drill, drill bits and other tools.

Investigators said Deconinck also had an arrest warrant out for a robbery on June 7. In that case, an East Boston man said he was robbed of almost $250,000 Friday morning by a pair of thieves who were impersonating police officers outside his business.

Arthur Rizzo, the owner of “The Check Place,” told NBC10 Boston that he was bringing loads of cash to his check and money order business on Meridian Street when two men approached him, stealing $240,000 in cash and driving away in his black Audi.

Boston police confirm they responded to a 911 call for a report of a robbery in the 200 block of Meridian Street shortly after 9:30 a.m. A “be on the lookout” alert was put out for a vehicle wanted in connection with the robbery. It was later found abandoned on Border Street and towed.

NBC10 Boston was first on scene when investigators found the stolen car a block away. Detectives were also spotted placing evidence markers near the scene of the crime. About a mile down the road, there was more evidence — a duffel bag believed to be connected to the crime.

Timothy Deconinck is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court for that outstanding arrest warrant that including the charges of unarmed robbery of a person over 65, carjacking, and impersonating a police officer.

He was also charged with possession of burglarious tools, attempt to commit a crime, defacing property, assault & battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Cataldo is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court for the charges of possession of burglarious tools, attempt to commit a crime, defacing property, and resisting Arrest.