A jury’s verdict brings a life prison term after a violent apartment break-in involving gunfire.
WORCESTER, MA – A Worcester man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty in a Fitchburg home invasion that involved gunfire inside an occupied apartment, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. The sentencing followed a conviction in Worcester Superior Court tied to a March 2022 incident that left a residence targeted and ransacked.
Concepcion Rodriguez, 39, was convicted of home invasion and multiple related charges, including two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and use of a firearm while committing a felony. The court imposed a life sentence on the home invasion charge, along with additional state prison terms on the remaining convictions.
Charges and sentencing details
Rodriguez was also found guilty of two counts of larceny under $1,200, possession of a firearm outside his home or work, and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card. He was convicted as a habitual offender based on prior convictions. A separate charge of possession of a loaded firearm was dismissed.
Prosecutors said the convictions stem from a March 2022 incident in Fitchburg, when Rodriguez, armed with a firearm, entered an apartment while searching for a person who did not live there. During the intrusion, he fired his weapon inside the residence and stole items before fleeing the scene. The occupant inside the apartment at the time was not injured.
Investigation and prosecution
The case was investigated by the Fitchburg Police Department and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant District Attorneys Shayna Woodard and Mike Travers prosecuted the case, with support from Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette.
“I’m very grateful for the hard work of our prosecution team in bringing about this successful prosecution,” said Mr. Early. “The Fitchburg Police Department and Mass. State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, as well as Assistant District Attorneys Shayna Woodard and Mike Travers, and Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette, all did exceptional work on this case.”
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