Police/Fire

Chelsea Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges from Arrest in Watertown

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A Middlesex County grand jury indicted a Chelsea man arrested on drug trafficking charges from an arrest in Watertown. London Cohen, 28, of Chelsea, was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking over 18 grams of cocaine, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle after revocation of license as habitual traffic offender, and failure to stop for police, according to an announcement this week by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Office. The indictments were handed down between January 18 and March 6, 2018. In April 2017, Cohen led police on a chase through Watertown which included Massachusetts State Police search dogs and a State Police helicopter. He had been the target of a drug sting by the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force after suspicious activity was reported on the Westside of Watertown.

Grand Jury

Man Who Phoned in Bomb Threat, 2 Who Broke into Gas Station Indicted

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A man who allegedly phoned in a bomb threat to his worksite was among the four suspects in crimes that occurred in Watertown who were indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s Office announced. 

Lawrence Benjamin, 27, of Lowell, was charged with willfully communicating a bomb threat willful and malicious communication of false information to public safety answering points. The Assistant District Attorney is Jessica Noble. On Sept. 26, State Police received a 911 call from a person saying there was a bomb at a building on Bridge Street, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. Watertown Police were contacted and went to the address to evacuate the building, which is under renovation. Police linked the phone number where the call came from to Benjamin, O’Connor said, and the man gave police a false name and claimed his phone had been stolen.

Police/Fire

Watertown Man Stabbed in Newton, Quincy Man Faces Intent to Murder Charge

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Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Chad Kirby, 36, of Quincy, was arraigned today in Newton District Court and charged with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Judge Daniel Crane ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing and to undergo a mental health evaluation. The next scheduled hearing in this case is Monday, March 6. On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at approximately 12:25 p.m., Newton Police responded to a report of a stabbing that took place on Watertown Street in Newton. Upon arrival authorities observed the victim, a 53-year-old Watertown man, bleeding from a head wound.

Middlesex District Attorney

Pedestrian Struck on Watertown Street on Monday Dies

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One of two pedestrians struck Monday afternoon has died, Watertown Police said on Tuesday. 

A man and a woman were walking across Watertown Street near Fifth Avenue when a vehicle struck both of them, just before 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28. The man died from injuries suffered in the incident, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment. Police did not release the name of the pedestrians or the driver.

Around Town

District Attorney Ryan Shares Tips for Seniors to Avoid Scams

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Seniors should be wary of people targeting them for “crimes of opportunity, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said when she visited the Watertown Senior Center last week to talk about scams.

She warned seniors that scams come in all shapes and sizes, and the criminals can be quite clever and they target older people. “If you live in Massachusetts and you are a senior you are much less likely to be the victim of a crime. You are not out at 3 a.m. and I assume you do not have a lot of friends in a gang,” Ryan said. “But another thing is also true. You are as liable as anyone to be the victim of a crime of opportunity.”

Police/Fire

Blind Pedestrian Who was Struck Crossing Arsenal Street Has Died

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Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced this week that Arthur Bourgoin, 78, of Watertown has died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle in Watertown on Tuesday, March 3. Bourgoin, who was visually impaired, was a volunteer at the Perkins School For The Blind, according to the announcement from the DA’s office. “This victim was attempting to cross the street when he was hit by a vehicle traveling on Arsenal Street,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Nationwide, in recent years, we have made progress in terms of pedestrian safety, but the number of deaths is still significant. The latest figures from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that pedestrian deaths occur primarily in urban areas and account for 14 percent of crash deaths.

Police/Fire

Visually Impaired Pedestrian Struck While Crossing Arsenal Street

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The Middlesex District Attorney’s office is investigating an incident where a vehicle struck a visually-impaired pedestrian who was crossing Arsenal Street Tuesday morning. The pedestrian, who volunteers at the Perkins School For The Blind, was struck near Beechwood Avenue and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries, according to a press release from District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office. “It is state law that drivers must come to a complete stop for someone in a crosswalk,” Ryan said. “In real driving conditions, what this law means is that people who are driving really should slow down when approaching any crosswalk so that if a pedestrian is trying to cross the street the driver will have plenty of time to safely stop, thus preventing an injury to the pedestrian and preventing other vehicles from rear-ending the vehicle which is stopping.”

The driver of the vehicle which allegedly struck the pedestrian at 6:55 a.m. pulled to the side of the road and then he spoke to police officers. This incident is under investigation by the Watertown Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.