Police: Several crimes solved with man’s arrest

The arrest of a man accused of violating his parole broke open several other unsolved cases, Rhode Island State Police said Tuesday.

Donald Dawson, 37, of Providence, was arrested Thursday and charged with violation of parole and being a fugitive from justice.  He was wanted in North Attleborough .

Police said Dawson had several stolen credit cards and that he had used them to buy about $50,000 worth of merchandise at stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  Dawson is also accused of breaking into dozens of homes in Attleboro and North Attleborough.  Police said he also stole a car.

Dawson is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending a hearing.