Note to Readers:

The following information is based on initial reviews of incident reports and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all incidents reported. The blog reports do not include sex crimes, domestic abuse, juvenile information, medical reports, and other sensitive police reports. The blog may differ from local news sources as well as trends reported at crimereports.com

Friday, May 11, 2012

Police Reports 5/10-5/11

Arrest: Occurred on 5/10 at 8:10 AM- Beacon St.

A vehicle made an illegal U-turn on Beacon St. The officer conducted a traffic stop on Beacon St. A query of the driver’s information revealed that his right to operate in Massachusetts was suspended. The driver was placed under arrest for Operating after Suspension.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Police Reports 5/9-5/10

Arrest: Occurred on 5/9 at 8:08 AM- Washington St./ Cypress St.

A vehicle failed to stop for a pedestrian in the posted crosswalk on Washington St. The officer conducted a traffic stop on Cypress St. A query of the driver’s information revealed that his right to operate in Massachusetts was revoked. The driver was placed under arrest for Operating after Revocation.

Larceny: Occurred on 5/9 between 7:30 and 8:00 PM- Harvard St.

An individual reported the larceny of a debit card. The victim stated that she hung her coat on a rack while she was inside a gym on Harvard St. When she left the gym, she discovered that somebody had removed her debit card from the pocket of her jacket. The victim discovered that the suspect had made several unauthorized purchases before she was able to cancel the card.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Police Warn Residents of Street Robberies Targeting Smartphones

BROOKLINE, Mass. – May 9, 2012 – After identifying an ongoing regional pattern of street robberies similar to a national trend targeting smartphones, Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline police are collaborating with the Boston Regional Intelligence Center to share information in a joint effort to investigate these crimes and halt future robberies.

“What we’re seeing regionally is part of a national trend where victims are being targeted due to the high monetary value of their smartphones,” said Cambridge Police Deputy Superintendent Paul Ames.  “Our departments are sharing information in an effort to apprehend suspects in these cases and make residents aware of how they can protect themselves from being victimized.”

In nearly all of the incidents across the three communities victims were talking on their cell phone and/or listening to music through headphones when they were robbed.

Using a smartphone advertises that you possess a valuable phone and also distracts you from observing your surroundings.  Police are asking residents to refrain from using or exposing their smartphones while walking alone at night to avoid being targeted.

“Several of the robbery victims were injured, and others were assaulted after refusing to give up their smartphones,” said Brookline Police Lieutenant Phil Harrington.  “If approached, do not resist.  Find a nearby phone and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Police encourage residents to take the following precautions when walking at night:
•    Do not wear earbuds, headphones, or listen to music while walking alone.
•    Always walk with a friend or in a group when possible.
•    Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts.
•    Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings.  Don't look down at the ground.
•    If you feel you are being followed, show you are suspicious – Turn to look at the person. This sends a clear message that you will not be taken by surprise.
•    Change directions.  If someone is following you on foot, cross the street and vary your pace. If the person following you is in a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.
•    If approached, DO NOT RESIST.  The best course of action is to hand over money and whatever other belongings are demanded and try to disengage from this confrontational and potentially dangerous situation as soon as possible. Remember, things can always be replaced.
•    Try to remember descriptive information about the robber (height, age, race, etc.) to relay to police when reporting the incident.

Police Reports 5/8-5/9

Motor Vehicle Theft: Occurred on 5/8 between 5:45 and 6:45 PM- Pierce St.

An individual reported a larceny of a motor vehicle. The victim stated that at approximately 5:45 PM she parked her vehicle in the Brookline Town Hall parking lot. When she returned she discovered that her vehicle was missing from the lot.

Shoplifting: Occurred on 5/8 at 2:50 PM- Harvard St.

A Walgreens employee reported a shoplifting. The employee stated that she observed a subject place items into a bag and leave the store without paying. Officers were able to stop a subject who matched the description in the surrounding area. The employee confirmed that the subject was indeed the shoplifter, and he was placed under arrest.

Shoplifting: Occurred on 5/8 at 1:02 PM- Harvard St.

A Brookline Booksmith employee reported a shoplifting. The employee stated that he observed a female subject leave the store without making any purchase. When the subject left the store, the employee observed several items from the store drop from the inside of her jacket. Officers were able to stop an individual who fit the description in the surrounding area. The employee confirmed that the subject was indeed the shoplifter. The subject had two outstanding warrants out of Cambridge and Roxbury District Courts. The subject was placed under arrest for Shoplifting and the two warrants.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Police Reports 5/7-5/8

Burglary: Occurred between 5/6-5/7 4:00 PM-7:00 AM- Heath St.

A construction worker reported a burglary from a Heath St. site. The victim reported that an unknown subject broke into a home that is currently under construction. Several power tools were stolen from the construction site. The suspect gained access by prying open a side door.

Malicious Damage: Occurred on 5/5- High St. Place

A High St. Place resident reported malicious damage to her automobile. The victim stated that all four tires on her vehicle had been slashed and water had been poured into her fuel tank. The incident took place between 1:30 and 9:30 AM on May 5th.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Police Reports 5/4-5/7

Arrest: Occurred on 5/6 at 6:40 PM- Harvard St.

A vehicle made an illegal U-turn on Harvard St. The officer conducted a traffic stop on Harvard St. A query of the driver’s information revealed that he had an active warrant out of Dorchester District Court. The operator was placed under arrest for the warrant.

Arrest: Occurred on 5/5 at 5:50 AM- St. Paul St./ Longwood Ave.

A query of a vehicle’s information revealed that the registration and the registered owner’s license were both revoked. The officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of St. Paul St. and Longwood Avenue. The driver was confirmed to be the registered owner and he was placed under arrest for Operating after Revocation.

OUIL: Occurred on 5/5 at 1:09 AM- Boylston St.

A vehicle was traveling on Boylston St. at a high rate of speed. The officer conducted a traffic stop on Boylston St. Upon reaching the driver’s window, the officer could detect an odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Based on the observations, the driver was placed under arrest for Operating Under the Influence of Liquor.

Burglary: Occurred on 5/4 between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM- Washington St.

A Washington St. resident reported a breaking and entering. The victim stated that when the residents returned home, they discovered that someone had entered the house and rummaged through several bedrooms. Items were reported stolen from several bedrooms throughout the residence. It appears that the suspect entered through an unlocked side door.

Burglary: Occurred on 5/6 between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM- Stanton Rd.

A Stanton Rd. resident reported a breaking and entering. The victim stated that she had been gardening in front of her home for several hours. When she went back inside she noticed that her pocketbook was missing. The victim stated that she found her pocketbook in the backyard but several items were stolen. The rear door of the home was unlocked at the time of the breaking and entering.