East Boston man arrested for theft and joyriding

By Michal Antonov
April 5, 2017

BOSTON An East Boston man confessed to stealing a car last Thursday.

Police he said he also admitted to spending most of the cash he found in the
glove compartment before he was caught on Saturday.

Michael Yanelli, 22, was arrested at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday and charged with
stealing a 1979 Cadillac.

The car was discovered missing at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday. When asked why
he stole the car in the first place, Yanelli said that he wanted to take it out for
a joyride.

Police said that the glove compartment contained $30,000 in checks and
$10,000 in cash. There was also a briefcase with $60, papers, and a wallet
on the seat of the car.

I went out and bought $600 worth of clothes, paid back a couple of debts,
said Yanelli when he was asked what he spent the money on.

He also said that he spent it at the dog track, on electronics, and food. After
dining with a friend that evening, he left the car in Lynn.

They never would have found it. I hid it so good, said Yanelli.

His arrest came after a police investigation and tips from neighborhood
contacts. The police came to his house on Saturday. Yanelli turned over
$2,682 in cash and $1,972 worth of plane tickets, said a police department
spokesman. Yanelli later admitted to the theft in a deposition.

Yanelli said he had been previously charged with three larcenies of motor
vehicles: one in Malden, one in East Boston, and one in Winthrop. This is his
fourth.

I got to learn my lesson sooner or later. I got to serve time so I dont do this
anymore, said Yanelli. And tell people to leave their cars locked up and
dont leave $10,000 in the car where anybody can get it.

He pleaded not guilty and was sent to Charles Street Jail. His bail has not yet
been posted.

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