DA: South Boston Murder Suspect Wanted To Steal Fishing Gear

Update at 2:45 p.m.: More details about Kostka's alleged motive in breaking into Coyne's home, from the Suffolk County district attorney:

Evidence suggests [Kostka] intended to steal some high-end fishing equipment from another resident of the home, even making a call earlier that morning to see where he could sell it, but that equipment was not present. Instead, prosecutors say, it appears he tossed the house, ransacking jewelry boxes and a coin jar and taking certain other items from the home.

"Witness statements indicated he traveled to buy drugs in the aftermath of Coyne’s death," the DA's office added.

Update at 12:45 p.m.: Arraignment: Kostka was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty to murder and home invasion charges at his arraignment just now.

Prosecutors said fingerprints and surveillance video led them to charge Kostka, who allegedly broke into Coyne's home to steal valuables. Prosecutors said the two families knew each other.

Original post: Suspect is arrested:

An arrest has been made in connection with last week's homicide of a 67-year-old woman in her South Boston home.

Boston Police and the Suffolk County district attorney yesterday arrested suspect Timothy Kostka, 26, also of South Boston, for the April 16 fatal stabbing of Barbara Coyne in her East 7th Street home. Kostka is charged with home invasion and murder.

Kostka will be arraigned today in South Boston District Court.

Police offered no word on a possible motive for the killing. They said the arrest followed witness information and the collection of forensic evidence.

WHDH-TV reports that "police linked the suspect to the crime after he was arrested for breaking into a home in the South End/Back Bay area over the weekend." WHDH reports that forensic evidence at the South End/Back Bay crime scene matched evidence taken from Coyne's South Boston home. A DA spokesman told the Boston Herald that Kostka was served the warrant while in custody.

Kostka lives just blocks away from Coyne's home.

“He's a local kid and we're concerned how and why a local kid, or any kid, would do something like this,” state Sen. Jack Hart, who represents South Boston, told WCVB-TV.

Following the arrest, police passed along a statement from the Coyne family:

The family of Barbara Coyne extends their gratitude for the overwhelming expressions of condolences and support over the past week.

In particular, the family thanks Commissioner Davis and the Boston Police Department, Suffolk County District Attorney Conley and his staff for their professionalism.

Barbara Coyne was a beautiful, compassionate, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be sorely missed but never forgotten.