FOXBORO - A suspect was arrested early Friday morning in connection with a rash of car burglaries which have plagued several neighborhoods this past week.

Stephen Carkin, 21, of 98 Morse St. in Foxboro, was arrested shortly after 1:50 a.m. and was charged with breaking into four cars, but may face additional charges for break-ins earlier in the week, Police Chief Edward O'Leary said.

Carkin was held at the police station overnight, prior to arraignment Friday in Wrentham District Court.

Police had been on the lookout for suspects since a spree began late Tuesday night into early Wednesday when nine cars were broken into in the North High Street area and on South Street, O'Leary said.

A break in the case occurred when Patrolman James Cannata responded to a call about suspicious activity and spotted Carkin downtown on a bicycle. Cannata took information from Carkin and allowed him to go free, O'Leary said. Soon afterwards, police responded to a car alarm on Bird Street and then found Carkin again. He was taken into custody by Cannata and Patrolman Scot Taggart, O'Leary said.

He was also questioned by Detective Brian Gallagher, who had been working in plainclothes on patrol in response to the rash of car burglaries, the police chief said.

Carkin was charged with four counts of breaking and entering into motor vehicles, receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana, O'Leary said.

He may face additional charges stemming from the previous break-ins, the police chief said.

Carkin was allegedly found with gift cards, loose change and other small items stolen from cars he entered after finding they were unlocked, O'Leary said.

O'Leary said many thieves target only cars with unlocked doors by simply walking into a neighborhood and trying the doors. O'Leary urged residents to lock their car doors because some thieves bypass locked vehicles.