SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) –   Cops say 31-year old Joshua James was part of a two man crime wave.  His partner in crime is now in jail but police are still after James.  Police say they broke into hundreds of cars at school parking lots, looking for purses or wallets.

“Teachers have a habit of leaving pocket books in car instead of taking them in, students too, but that’s easy prey.  They smash a window take the pocketbook and go,” explained Springfield Police Sergeant John Delaney.

They took the credit cards and bought cartons of cigarettes, liquor and baby formula cops say to sell for drug money.

“They would go to gas stations too.  We got them on tape using the credit card to fill up their tank, then have a line of cars come fill up and get like 20-dollars from each driver for it,  things like that,” added Delaney.

That move is what put cops on their trail.

“We looked at the video, the cops knew who he was and they tied it all together,” said Delaney.

Turns out Joshua James has a long list of charges against him and cops say he needs to be locked up.  So keep your eyes open in case you cross paths with this wanted criminal.  Your tip could land him behind bars.

If you have any information about Joshua James you’re asked to call police or text them an anonymous tip at  crimes or  2-7-4-6-3-7 and in the message type solve and your tip.