WORCESTER—A Worcester man was sentenced to life in prison Friday after a jury convicted him in connection with a 2022 armed home invasion in Fitchburg during which a firearm was discharged inside an apartment, authorities said.
Concepcion Rodriguez, 39, was found guilty in Worcester Superior Court of home invasion, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, use of a firearm while committing a felony, two counts of larceny under $1,200, possession of a firearm outside his home or work, and possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, according to a release from Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.
Rodriguez was also convicted as a habitual offender based on prior convictions, the release said.
The court imposed a life sentence on the home invasion conviction, along with additional state prison sentences on the remaining charges. A charge of possession of a loaded firearm was dismissed, according to the release.
The convictions stem from a March 2022 incident in Fitchburg in which Rodriguez, armed with a firearm, entered an apartment while searching for an individual who did not live there. During the incident, he fired his weapon inside the apartment and stole items from the residence before leaving, authorities said. The occupant inside the apartment at the time was not injured.
“I’m very grateful for the hard work of our prosecution team in bringing about this successful prosecution,” Early said in the release. “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.”
