Junta, Molle, Collins and Stratton Formally Indicted In Connection With Reading Commons Home Invasion

The office of District Attorney Gerard T. Leone, Jr. sent the following release:

Four men have been indicted on home invasion and armed robbery charges in connection with a home invasion in Reading, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Jason Molle, 20, of Stoneham, Quinlan Junta, 21, Garrett Collins, 21, and Matthew Stratton, 19, all of Reading, were indicted by a Middlesex Superior Court Grand Jury on charges of home invasion, armed robbery, conspiracy, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (2 counts), and assault and battery. Collins and Stratton were also charged with accessory before the fact.

An arraignment date has not yet been set.

According to authorities, on February 7, at approximately 12:45 pm, Reading police responded to an apartment on Archstone Circle for reports of a home invasion. Upon arrival, police located the victim, a 19-year-old male, who was evidencing an obvious facial injury. The victim informed police that two of the defendants, Junta and Molle, entered his home and brandished a firearm. The defendants then proceeded to assault the victim and stole an undetermined amount of money before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The victim was able to provide a description of the vehicle to police.

Shortly after receiving the description, authorities located and arrested Molle, who was the operator and sole occupant in the vehicle, on Summer Avenue and King Street in Reading. 

Authorities began an investigation into the whereabouts of Junta and obtained search warrants for Junta’s home in Reading.  An arrest warrant was issued on February 8 for Junta. 

Junta turned himself into the Reading Police Department on February 8. Junta and Molle were arraigned later that afternoon in Woburn District Court where Judge Timothy Gailey ordered the defendants held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. On February 11, Judge Gailey ordered the defendants held on $5,000 cash bail with the conditions that if they post bail they must remain on a GPS bracelet with exclusion zones, refrain from the use of drugs, submit to random drug screens, check in with probation, and must stay away and not contact the witnesses in this case.

Reading Police immediately began an investigation into the alleged home invasion. Police allege that Collins and Stratton were at the victim’s apartment and left just minutes before Molle and Junta are alleged to have entered the home. Authorities allege that Collins and Stratton sent text messages to Junta informing him on how he could gain access to the victim’s apartment and gave him instructions to search the victim’s pockets and bag for money.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney David Rubin. The victim witness advocate is Randy Frye.