Suspect caught in Boston car theft

Nia Brown

September 25, 2016

BOSTON Car thief strikes again! An East Boston man has been
arrested in connection with a stolen car last Thursday.
Michael Yanelli, 22, of 569 Bennington St. was arrested Saturday for
the theft of a 1979 Cadillac. Police said Yanelli confessed to stealing the
car and spending most of the $10,000 cash he found in the glove
compartment.
The car belonged to Rene Gignac of Laconia, New Hampshire. It was
parked at 880 Saratoga St., four blocks from Yanellis home. The
Cadillac was discovered missing at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday morning.
Along with the cash, police said that the car contained a briefcase,
papers, a wallet and $30,000 in checks.
According to residents of Brandywine Village, Gignac was helping his
mother-in-law move and planned to use the money for a down
payment on her new residence.
Yanellis neighbors alerted the local police department when he began
flashing money around the neighborhood.
I love flashing 100s around, Yanelli said.
At the time of his arrest, Yanelli turned over $2,682 in cash and two
plane tickets to Las Vegas, amounting in $1,972. Police said the checks
were destroyed. The remainder of the $10,000 was spent on lavish
meals, clothing and gifts for friends and family.
I spent it on true friends, Yanelli said.
When asked about the theft Yanelli responded, I got to learn my
lesson sooner or later. I got to serve time so I dont do this anymore.
In response to the large amount of money left in the car, he added,
"tell people to leave their cars locked up and dont leave $10,000 in
the car where anybody can get it.
This is Yanellis fourth larceny of a motor vehicle charge, all in the
surrounding Boston area.
He is currently being held at the Charles Street Jail and will be
arraigned in the East Boston District Court tomorrow morning.

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