Team work leads to Nice arrest

Yesterday afternoon, a former Brookline Police officer now a Mass State Police officer was running at the Brookline reservoir. He made observations of two people acting suspicious. He called a Brookline officer who took up watch of the two individuals. One of the suspects picked up a rock and smashed the front passenger side window of a Gray Hyundai Santa Fe parked on Dudley Way. The suspect took two black bags from inside the vehicle through the broken window. Both suspects were stopped and based upon the investigation both were charged with- Breaking and Entering in the Day Time With Intent to Commit a Felony (2 counts each) A second vehicle was found with evidence of being broken into as well. One suspect is a person of interest in a recent stabbing in Portland Maine on April 5th. Follow up being conducted. Great work by all involved and special thanks to our former colleague, now trooper.

4/4 - 4/5/18

Wednesday, April 4th

A victim of fraud came into the Station Wednesday stating that her credit card was used without her permission in the Midwest. Her bank notified her of the charge that morning and was advised by Police to cancel her credit card and report this incident to the appropriate credit agencies. Although outside of jurisdiction, this is an active case.

On Wednesday, an officer was dispatched to Oakland Rd for a report of identity theft. The victim stated that someone had opened a bank and credit card account under her name. Police are investigating.

Thursday, April 5th

On Thursday morning, a woman came into the Station to report fraudulent charges made from her bank accounts. While reviewing bank statements, she noticed 2 charges made, neither being authorized or known to her. A report was filed and the victim's banks will investigate the fraudulent activity. Brookline PD are also investigating.

Resources:

The Federal Trade Commission offers many helpful tips and tricks to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. Additionally, they provide resources, including the warning signs and necessary steps one needs to take when reporting/recovering from identity theft.

Their Consumer Information site details credit card fraud, how it happens and the ways to protect oneself from becoming a victim.

*For additional information on these topics, please follow the links above.



Sources:
Federal Trade Commission (consumer information)
Federal Trade Commission (identity theft)

Marathon Monday 2018 Info

Marathon Monday 2018 Information (April 16th)

Please be advised of the following information regarding the 2018 Boston Marathon:

Beacon Street will be closed around 8:30 AM until 6:30PM. Traffic will not be allowed to cross, as the entire length of Beacon Street will be barricaded. 

Pedestrians will have three dedicated crossing areas: Beacon Street at Tappan, Beacon Street at Webster and Beacon Street at Hawes. 

These locations will be staffed by race officials and will only be functioning when safe to do so. Please expect the aforementioned crossing areas to be closed during heavy runner traffic (12:30PM -3:30PM). 

Bikes will not be allowed near the route and will start being removed on Friday, continuing up until race time on Monday.

Some areas on Beacon Street will initiate a parking ban beginning at 2PM on Sunday (4/15).

Please pay attention to signs placed on the streets mentioned above detailing parking bans on and around the Marathon route.

*More detailed information will follow as we get closer to Patriots' Day. Please plan accordingly.

3/31 through 4/2/2018

3/31

On March 31st, an officer was dispatched to Park St for a report of a past larceny. The victim stated that he received an email confirming the delivery of 2 packages, while he was away from his residence on Friday (3/30). A neighbor told the victim that there were boxes within the residential parking lot strewn about, containing the victim's name. Arriving back home a short while after getting word from his neighbor, the victim reported the incident to the police. A follow-up has been requested as police are investigating.

An officer was dispatched to the front desk for a fraud report on Saturday afternoon. The victim told the officer that he noticed an error within his bank account, as a check had been deposited that was not on his behalf. After contacting his bank, he received a call from someone claiming to be a financial adviser, stating that he was eligible for a possible cash advance if he gave them some personal information. At that point, the victim immediately ended the call and tried contacting the financial institution in question, hoping to finding the man who claimed he was eligible for a cash advance. He was informed that no one by that name worked for that institution. This is an on-going investigation.

4/1

An officer was dispatched to Colbourne Crescent on Sunday afternoon for a larceny report. The victim told the officer that numerous items of hers had been taken from her residence. A follow-up has been requested.

A past larceny report was taken on Aspinwall Ave on Sunday afternoon. The victim reported leaving a bag on the front porch of his residence that morning. Upon returning shortly afterward, the bag was gone. Police are investigating.

4/2

Officers responded to Marion St on Monday morning to take a report for a past larceny. The victim stated that she had left a shopping cart within the hallway of her residence for a short span of time on Sunday morning. There was no sign of the victim's shopping cart among the others within the same hallway. Neighbors didn't notice any suspicious activity during the time frame, either. This is an active case.

Officers were dispatched to Washington St for a larceny report Monday afternoon. Upon arrival, the victim stated that she had left a bag of belongings on a bench while turning her back for a moment to take a phone call. After finishing up the call, she realized her belongings were gone. A quick investigation led Brookline PD to the suspect, who was placed under arrest for Larceny from a Person.

3/28 & 3/29

March 28, 2018

On Wednesday evening, an officer was dispatched to Kent St for a report of a package theft. The victim stated that she was expecting three packages to be delivered that day, but they never arrived at her residence. Package tracking ID numbers provided confirmation that the delivery had been made earlier that afternoon. A follow-up has been requested.

An officer was dispatched to Kent St a second time Wednesday evening for another report of a package theft. The victim told police that he was expecting a package to be delivered to his residence that day, but it had not arrived. The package's tracking details were unavailable at the time. However, a shipment confirmation was received and indicated it's delivery to the victim's Kent St address. Police are investigating.

March 29, 2018

At 1:40 AM, this morning an officer on a traffic assignment on rt. 9 , attempted to slow a vehicle down in the work zone. The vehicle instead sped up and failed to stop for the officer. The officer and another officer who was in the area went looking for the car. It was last seen on Rt 9 in Newton. When the officer was returning back to his assignment he found the vehicle had crashed into a pole in the area of 489 Boylston street on the access road. EMS and State Police arrived and took control of the scene. The driver faces several motor vehicle charges from Brookline .The driver and the passenger both went to hospitals with minor injuries.

Tuesday, March 27th

3/27

An officer was dispatched to St. Paul St on Tuesday evening for a reported larceny. Upon arrival, the victim stated that she had arrived home that day to find a package delivered to her residence, opened, with its contents removed. A follow-up has been requested as Brookline PD investigates this case.

Monday, March 26

3/26

Brookline PD's Traffic Unit was dispatched around 8AM to Pond St responding to a vehicle that had rolled over. It appeared that the vehicle had jumped the curb and went into a wooded area on the side of the road, flipping it onto its right side. There was damage to both the front end and right side of the vehicle. The driver and passenger within the flipped van were not injured.

On Monday evening, an officer was dispatched to Toxeth St for a report of package thefts. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victims, who stated that all 4 of their packages had been stolen from their building's vestibule, over a 4-day span.

Multi-Vitamin Arrestee charged with Multiple Offenses

3/25

On Sunday, officers were dispatched to the area of Washington St and River Rd for a report of a plastic shopping bag containing live ammunition inside of it. Once arriving on scene, officers located a partially torn plastic shopping bag, with what appeared to be loose 22. caliber unspent ammunition rounds, located near the bag on the ground. The loose ammunition rounds found on the ground and the ammunition within the plastic bag were taken back to Brookline Police Headquarters. In total, thirty two .22 caliber unspent ammunition rounds were recovered.


Around 1:45PM, officers were dispatched to Commonwealth Ave for a reported shoplifting in process. The person in question was observed putting some items inside of his jacket. Officers placed the man under arrest for Shoplifting, in addition to Giving a False Name to a Police Officer Following Arrest. The arrestee made bail and made his way back to the store again around 5:30PM, where Brookline units responded again. The manager was positive it was the same suspect in that shoplifting incident. A warrant for the subject's arrest has been requested for this subsequent shoplifting offense.

3/21 and 3/22

3/21

An officer was dispatched to Harvard St on Wednesday for a reported shoplifting. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the reporting party who witnessed a man concealing three shirts then leaving the store without paying. A 33 year old Boston resident was arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Wednesday night, an officer assigned to the front desk was met by a victim who stated her license plates had been stolen from her vehicle on Tappan St. Police are investigating.


A robbery occurred Wednesday night on Heath St, involving 3 suspects. Police are continuing with their investigation.


3/22

Around 9 AM on Thursday, an officer was dispatched to Beacon St for a report of a larceny that had occurred at a commercial property. The victim stated that a male came into the business, complaining of a migraine and leaning over the counter within the lobby. A few moments later, the victim noticed some of her personal belongings missing and the male subject was no longer in the store. The case is active at this time.

At approximately 6:30 PM, an officer was dispatched to Linden Pl for an IRS scam report. The victim stated that she had returned a missed call from an individual claiming to be from the IRS, informing her that she owed back taxes and that there were four warrants issued for her arrest. The individual claiming to be affiliated with the IRS set up a payment plan, using gift cards as the method of paying the balance. A request has been made for a follow-up as police are investigating this case.


The following tips provided by the IRS website can help you avoid becoming a victim of IRS scams.

Please note, the IRS will not

• Call, requesting or demanding immediate payments and will not call if you do owe taxes, without first mailing a bill to your residence
• Demand payment and deny you to question or appeal the amount due
• Require payment of your taxes by a certain method, like gift cards
• Ask for bank account information, like debit or credit card numbers, over the phone
• Make threats that other authorities/agencies will become involved (police, etc.), resulting in arrest, if your payment is not made

If you receive a call and do not or have no reason to believe that you owe taxes, do not give out any personal information and immediately hang up. Contact TIGTA to report the scam via their "IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting" page.

Additionally, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission using the "FTC Complaint Assistant" on their website.

For more information about IRS Scams, visit the link below:

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

Source: www.irs.gov

3/19 and 3/20/18

3/19

An officer was dispatched at approximately 9:00 AM to take a fraud report on Dale St, regarding an internet scam involving an employment opportunity found online. The victim was hired by the company and asked to purchase a computer for the position, ensuring that he'd be fully reimbursed. The company asked for payment using gift cards. The proper reimbursement of the victim's funds was unsuccessful. Police are investigating.

An officer responded to Clinton Rd on Monday evening for a past Breaking and Entering, Larceny from a Motor Vehicle. The victim stated that two of his vehicles were broken into during the early morning hours of March 19th. Some loose change was stolen from both of the vehicles. 

Police are continuing to investigate the multiple reported car breaks that have occurred over the past few days. As a reminder, it's advised to keep any valuables within your car out of plain sight, in addition to securing both windows and doors within your vehicle(s). 


3/20

An officer was dispatched to Stearns Rd for a report of annoying text messages. Upon arrival, the victim stated that he has received numerous text messages from a person on Facebook, who told him he had won a sum of money through a Facebook promotion. The person claiming he had won the promotional contest acquired some of the victim's personal information over this short span of time. Due to the nature of the personal information the suspect acquired, it was advised that the Credit Bureau Fraud Department be contacted regarding the events that had transpired.

On Tuesday, there were two separate roll-over car accidents that took place in Brookline. One occurred on Beacon St/Winthrop Rd. around 9 AM, while the other took place around 1 o'clock in the afternoon on Clyde St. All occupants within the two roll-overs that occurred were not injured.

3/17 and 3/18

3/17

On Saturday, an officer responded to the front desk of the station for a package theft report. The victim stated that she was expecting a package to be sent to her home but had not received it yet. After some time, she tracked it and saw confirmation that it had already been delivered to her residence. This is an active case.

3/18

At approximately 9:00 AM, an officer responded to Leicester St for a Breaking and Entering and Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. The victim stated that he had parked in his driveway the night prior and noticed items missing from his vehicle that Sunday morning. A follow-up has been requested as police are continuing to investigate.

An officer responded to Clinton Rd for a Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle on Sunday morning. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victims who stated that they had both parked their cars in the driveway the night prior. When returning to each of their vehicles that morning, they saw that their cars had been rummaged through, one of the vehicles missing some loose change. A follow-up will be conducted.

Around 3:30 PM, an officer responded to Buckminister Rd for a past Breaking and Entering and Larceny from 3 motor vehicles. The victim stated that the owners of the vehicles had parked them in their driveway on evening of 3/17. When going to the first vehicle that morning, he observed the glove box open and several items strewn around the car. Upon checking the other 2 vehicles, the victim observed strewn items within them, as well. Police are continuing to investigate.

On Sunday night, an officer responded to a call for a past Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle on Buckminster Rd. Upon arrival, an officer spoke with the victim who stated that he had parked his car in the driveway on Saturday afternoon. When he returned to the vehicle the next morning, he discovered that the middle console was open and its belongings had been scattered around the front seat area. 

*Brookline Police are continuing to investigate this string of Breaking & Entering/Breaking & Entering & Larceny of Motor Vehicle incidents that occurred over the weekend. It is advised that you place any valuables within your vehicle out of sight, in addition to making sure windows are rolled-up and that your vehicle is locked.

Thursday, March 15th

3/15

Officers were dispatched to Kendall St on Thursday to respond to two reported burglaries. Two victims from two separate units reported a laptop, cell phone, paper work and various pieces of jewelry stolen from their residences'. Brookline PD is continuing to investigate these cases.

At the station, an officer was met by a victim who came in to report that her cell phone had been taken from her desk while attending a class. The case is active at this time.

Wednesday, March 14th

3/14

At approximately 9:00 PM, an officer was dispatched to the front desk of the Station to take a larceny report. The victim stated that a passport and a check were both taken from his residence. A follow-up has been requested.

On Wednesday night, an officer was dispatched to Beacon St for a reported package theft. Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim. The victim stated that she received confirmation that 2 packages were delivered to her residence that morning. When going to retrieve the packages in the foyer of the building, she noticed them missing and called Brookline Police. This case is under investigation.

3/12 and 3/13

3/12

At approximately 9:00 PM on Monday, officers responded to Harvard St for a reported shoplifting. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the reporting party, an employee, who stated she noticed a man attempting to conceal various items from the store inside of his jacket. The reporting party then attempted to stop the suspect but he continued to exit the store. A follow-up has been requested for this active case.

3/13

An officer responded to Salisbury Rd at approximately 2:00 PM on Tuesday for an uprooted tree that fell across the roadway and came to rest against a home. On scene, officers observed a large tree resting on the rooftop of the home. However, they were unable to make a complete assessment of the potential damage due to the snow covered roof. The Forestry Division was notified and removed the fallen tree. The resident was advised of the event.


*Over the course of Tuesday's Blizzard, 53 motor vehicle tows were initiated due to the snow ban. Additionally, 4 trees fell onto residential property, 2 of them blocking roadways. 14 calls regarding down or low hanging wires were made, 9 of them occurring on residential properties.

3/9 through 3/11

3/9

On Friday, a victim of a fraud call came to Police Headquarters to report that she fell prey to an IRS phone scam. The victim answered her cell phone on Thursday afternoon and was told that she owed almost $6,000 dollars to the IRS. After multiple conversations between the victim and suspects claiming to be IRS agents, the victim became convinced that she owed the money and forwarded the funds requested. She bought "GooglePlay" cards as a means of paying her balance and was instructed by a man claiming to be an IRS Investigating Officer to reveal the codes associated with the cards she had purchased. Police are investigating.

*Phone calls are an easy way for scammers to convince people that they owe important funds. If you find yourself receiving calls from suspicious phone numbers, it's better to hang up versus engaging in conversation. Please contact Brookline Police to verify it's validity prior to engaging with the calling party to prevent becoming a victim of fraud.


3/11

On Sunday evening, an officer was dispatched to Sherman Rd for a past breaking and entering into a residence and for a stolen motor vehicle report. Upon arrival, the officer was met with three victims, who had been out of town since Wednesday (3/7). When returning back to their residence Sunday afternoon, they realized that it had been ransacked and that several items were missing from the apartment. Upon hearing the statements from all three victims, they observed a cut screen window near the front door of their residence that belonged to one of the windows within their kitchen. Between the victims, multiple electronics, video games, backpacks, sneakers and cash had been stolen from their residence while they were away. Additionally, a set of car keys was missing, belonging to one of their friends. Once noticing the missing car keys, they exited their apartment to go to their friend's car that had been parked within the vicinity of their apartment. After several attempts, they were unable to locate the vehicle. This investigation is ongoing.

Thursday, March 8th

3/8

On Thursday morning, an uprooted town tree fell onto a fence and home around 4:00 AM on Middlesex Rd. due to blizzard conditions.

Brookline PD responded to Wallis Rd for a report of a tree that had fallen and struck a vehicle parked in a driveway. The officer observed damage to the top, sides and back of the vehicle. The Forestry Division was notified.

An officer responded to South St for a report of a town tree that had fallen and struck a residence. Once the branch fell and struck the roof, it rolled, coming to a rest against the home. The Forestry Division has been notified.

Wednesday, March 7th

3/7

On Wednesday morning, an officer responded to an accident that occurred during the active snow storm. The operator had last control of the vehicle while turning onto Chestnut Hill Ave and hit a signal light, knocking it over. There were no injuries and the operator was able to drive their vehicle.

At approximately 11:45 PM Wednesday night, an officer was dispatched for a report of a town tree that had fallen into a house on Crafts Rd due to the Nor’easter.

3/6/2018

On March 6, officers responded to a business on Boylston St. for a report of a shoplifting in progress. On scene, officers observed a female party talking with an employee. The employee stated that they had seen the woman take multiple items and place them into her closed purse. All of the items were recovered and the woman will be summonsed to court for shoplifting.

An officer was dispatched to Vernon St. for a report of malicious damage. The reporting party stated that sometime during the afternoon someone had taken the No Parking sign from the side of her garage. The incident is being investigated.

In the evening of March 6, officers responded to Strathmore Rd for a street robbery that had occurred on Beacon St earlier that evening. The reporting party stated that he had been walking on Beacon St at approx. 2150hrs when he made eye contact with an unknown male party who approached him and asked to bum a cigarette. When the victim went to get a cigarette from his pocket, the suspect suddenly grabbed his phone and fled. The victim attempted to chase the suspect but lost sight of him. The incident is under investigation.

3/3 through 3/5

3/3

At approximately 9:30 AM, an officer was dispatched to Dummer St for a report of a past Breaking and Entering and Larceny. The victim stated that upon waking up this morning, she had noticed her cell phone and purse were missing from where she had left them the night prior. Shortly afterward, she realized that the keys to her apartment had been left in the front door by accident after returning from an event Thursday night. Police are investigating.

3/4

An officer was dispatched to Beacon St Sunday afternoon for a report of a past package theft. The victim stated she had received a delivery notification the day before confirming her package delivery to the lobby within her residence. When going to retrieve the package, she did not see one in the lobby that was consistent in size of what she had ordered. After checking once more, she determined it was stolen and contacted Brookline Police.

3/5

On Monday afternoon, officers were dispatched to Kent St for a possible attempted break and entering of a motor vehicle. The victim stated that she had parked in the driveway of her home and was sitting in the car for approximately five minutes. While in the car, a man - wearing a black jacket, sunglasses and holding an orange can, attempted to open the driver side door. When the suspect noticed the victim siting in the driver’s seat, he said something unintelligible, turned and walked away from the driveway. The victim is unaware of any security surveillance in the area. Police are continuing to investigate.

Police were dispatched to Harvard Ave for a past residential breaking and entering at approximately 3:00 PM on Monday. Upon arrival, the officers met with the victims who stated that upon returning from work, they were unable to get into their apartment because their key would not work. After unsuccessfully trying a second apartment key, they determined that the door seemed to be jammed and contacted a locksmith. The victim stated that many items and some cash had been taken from their apartment between the time frame they left for work and returned back to their residence. There appears to be no signs of forced entry at this time. An investigation is being conducted by Brookline PD.

Suspicious Activity on Kent Street

March 1, 2018 

At approximately 1910 hours (7:10 PM) units were dispatched to the area of Kent Street for suspicious activity. Dispatch notified units that a green/brown Honda sedan approached a 12 year old boy and the operator told the 12 year old to get in the car.

Police units canvassed the area. The boy indicated he was walking from a convenience store in Brookline Village. As he approached Kent Street near Station Street he observed a man in a vehicle on Kent Street facing toward Harvard Street who stopped and asked him for directions. The 12 year old pointed towards Aspinwall Avenue and stated "that way." The man asked him to get in the car and show him. The boy did not respond and ran away from the man and went home where he reported the incident to his mother.

The boy described the vehicle as a green or brown "old, beat up" Honda. He described the driver as having a "middle eastern" accent, a grey mustache, receding hairline and black or dark colored sweatshirt or jacket. He did not observe any other distinguishing marks on the vehicle. Units were unable to locate any vehicles in the area matching that description. Police are investigating.

***

4:12 PM: An officer was dispatched to the Brookline PD’s front desk to meet a party regarding a stolen wallet, Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival, the victim stated that she had been attending meetings on Babcock St that day, in which she had briefly left her purse unattended. During her commute home, she realized that her wallet was missing. Police are investigating.

Thursday evening, a man came to the Brookline Police Department to report a missing package. The victim reported that the package had been delivered to his Beacon St residence on February 16th while he had been away for a few days. Upon returning home, the victim did not see the package in his mailbox. A follow-up with the postal carrier confirmed that it had not been misdelivered. Police are continuing to investigate.