Waltham man pleads not guilty to litany of charges after alleged robbery

Brian D. Dunning, 44, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on May 20 to two counts of breaking and entering a building during daytime to commit a felony, two counts of receiving stolen property valued at over $1,200, one count of unlawful deactivation or removal of a theft detection device and one count of vandalizing property.

On the morning of May 18, officers arrived at a building on Main Street undergoing renovation. The owner of the building was onsite and told officers multiple items were missing. According to the police report, plywood covering an opening had been pried away, creating an entryway that is believed to be how someone was able to access the building. The owner provided an inventory of tools and other construction-related items that were missing, valued at over $12,000 in total. The owner said a blue jumpsuit, which he wore to work daily, was missing as well.

On May 19 at 8:00 a.m., officers encountered a man, identified as Dunning, near the Christ Episcopal Church at 750 Main St. According to the police report, Dunning was wearing a blue jumpsuit and had a backpack full of tools similar to those that had been stolen from the building on Main Street. After officers spoke to Dunning, he left the scene, saying he was on his way to attend a methadone clinic on Bear Hill Road.

Officers next encountered Dunning at 10:47 a.m. after responding to a report of a male locked inside a dressing room stall at the Marshall’s on Market Place Drive. Officers opened the dressing room to find Dunning surrounded by merchandise items and anti-theft detection devices that appeared to be forcibly removed from the items. Dunning was subsequently arrested. During booking, Dunning appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and was unable to stay awake. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Dunning is also facing charges for a separate event in which he allegedly violated a no trespass order at Market Basket on Market Place Drive, during which he was wearing a blue jumpsuit. He pleaded not guilty on May 19 to that charge. Dunning was unable to post bail for the charges he was arraigned for on May 20, so he is being held at Middlesex County Jail. A pretrial hearing for both cases will be held June 15.

Additional court activity

Jose L. Monroy Morales, 32, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on May 22 to charges of assault and battery on a family or household member, strangulation or suffocation and destruction of property valued at over $1,200. The charges are related to an alleged domestic violence incident in Waltham. Monroy Morales was released on personal recognizance by Judge Sarah Kennedy and is due in court for a hearing to review status on May 29.

Michael A. Guinta, 66, of Waltham pleaded not guilty on May 20 to a charge of assault and battery on a family or household member subsequent offense, as well as a charge of assault and battery on a person 60 years of age or older. Guinta allegedly punched his mother in the lip inside a Waltham residence. He was released on personal recognizance by Judge Amanda Ward. A pretrial hearing for his case is set for July 14.

Jorge L. Morales Mateo, 34, of Lynn, pleaded not guilty on May 19 to charges of intimidating a witness, juror or police or court official as well as a charge of violating an abuse prevention order. The charges are related to an alleged incident that took place in Waltham involving his wife, who had an abuse prevention disorder against him. Morales Mateo was released on personal recognizance by Kennedy and is due in court for a pretrial hearing July 9.

All information for this story was gathered from official court documents found at the Waltham District Court and case information from masscourts.org.