ATTLEBORO -- Police say they have solved a rash of automobile break-ins at Emerald Square mall and in South Attleboro with the arrest of a former Cumberland, R.I., man.

Robert L. Gervais Jr., 20, who has no permanent address, was ordered held in jail on $20,000 bail after arraignment Monday in Attleboro District Court.

He faces a host of charges, includ ing multiple counts of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, larce ny, and vandalism.

Gervais was arrested Friday at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston, R.I., on warrants obtained after an investigation by North Attle boro Detective John Reilly and Attle boro Detective James Cote.

More than a half-dozen motor vehicles were broken into at the mall in North Attleboro and other retail locations on Route 1 in South Attle boro in which thousands of dollars in computers, stereo equipment and cash were stolen, according to police. Some of the stolen goods were cashed in at a pawn shop in Provi dence by Gervais, police said.

Gervais, who police say is drug dependent, has just completed a prison term at the Adult Correctional Institution for similar offenses, according to arguments during a bail hearing.

He is on probation in Rhode Island for five years with an 18-month prison term suspended, his lawyer Edward Sullivan of Attleboro said.

A credit card stolen in March dur ing a car break at Emerald Square was linked to Gervais, allegedly after it was used at the Shell gas station on Route 1 in South Attleboro, North Attleboro police prosecutor Christo pher Ciccio said.

Police learned of Gervais' involve ment in the break-ins after a relative went to police, Attleboro court prose cutor Richard Woodhead said.

Gervais is due back in court Sept. 6.