The efforts of an alert off-duty Tewksbury Police detective and a proactive resident led to the arrest of a Lowell couple on charges of breaking into one Tewksbury home and attempting to break into another.

Christopher Champa, 26, and Holly Falsini, 30, both of 25 Sidney St., Lowell were arrested on June 22, for breaking and entering, receiving stolen property, attempt to commit a crime (breaking and entering), and conspiracy. Falsini is also being charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. 

"This was a great piece of police work performed by an off-duty Tewksbury Officer working a private extra paid road detail in the neighborhood," said Police Chief Timothy Sheehan. "It is great to have that extra presence out there in the neighborhoods working as a crime deterrent and an extra pair of eyes."

The incident began Friday (June 22) around 10 a.m. when the Tewksbury detective, working a paid road detail, noticed a suspicious car on Marston Street. The detective, whose name was not released, followed the car at a safe distance until other officers could respond to the scene.

The officers pulled the vehicle over and were able to ID the driver and her passenger. Moments later, dispatch received a call from a homeowner on Leroy Lane, reporting that she had just encountered a man at the back door of her home. The man took off and she believed her presence had scared him off.

Meanwhile, the officers conducted a preliminary investigation and learned that the man and woman in the car had earlier broken into a home on Devonshire Road. Property belonging to that homeowner was found in their car. The officers also learned that the pair had attempted to break into the home on Leroy Lane, which is off Marston.

"We have been getting inundated with housebreaks and car breaks associated with drug addiction and because of this officer's vigilance we will be returning all of the stolen property to our violated resident and bringing those responsible to justice," said Sheehan. "We are also very grateful for our residents who have been outstanding with reporting suspicious activity."

The suspects are being held over the weekend and are scheduled for arraignment in Lowell District Court on Monday.