Police/Fire

Watertown Man Sentenced to Prison for African Sports Ponzi Scheme

By |

The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:

A Watertown man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for defrauding investors who believed they were financing lucrative sports ventures in Africa. Adrian Kawuba, 34 was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Kawuba was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $625,000, forfeiture of more than $2.2 million and to pay a special assessment of $400. In December 2023, Kawuba pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud. 

Kawuba told his victims that he would invest their money in short-term financing of youth sports ventures in Africa and elsewhere and that he would personally guarantee their investments. In fact, Kawuba did not invest any of the victims’ funds.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Pair of Shoplifters Busted, Bike Take off Back of Car

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. March 22, 3 p.m.: A woman entered Target and took multiple items from the cosmetics section. In total, 18 beauty products worth $250 were taken. March 22, 10:30 a.m.: A bicycle was stolen off the back of a car parked on Bond Street in Arsenal Yards. The light blue Bianchi bike, valued at $2,000, was taken off a car bike rack.

Police/Fire

Fire Department Awards Medals to Two Men Who Helped Prevent a Serious Blaze

By |

Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson congratulates Omar Omolade, middle, and Amitabh Agrawal for receiving the Medal of Commendation for their quick actions that prevented a serious fire on Galen Street in January. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The quick action of a pair of men in a barbershop on Galen Street early on a January morning prevented serious damage in a building that is home to multiple businesses. This week, the Watertown Fire Department awarded them with a Fire Service Awards. On Jan. 18, 2024, at about 6:45 a.m., a fire alarm went off for a restaurant on Galen Street, and fire crews arrived to find the restaurant’s steel door had already been opened by Omar Omolade of 1st Yard Barbers, and customer Amitabh Agrawal.

Police/Fire

Man Charged with Having Unlicensed Firearm After Road Rage Incident in Watertown

By |

A Watertown man faces a series of charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of an firearm without a serial number, after being involved in a road rage incident on Wednesday. Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan has announced Friday that Ali Alananzeh, 23, of Watertown, was arraigned today in connection with the road rage incident that occurred on March 20 at the intersection of Grove Street and Coolidge Avenue. The incident was reported at about 1 a.m. on Thursday. “The victim reported that he was turning onto Grove Street when the driver of another vehicle, later identified as Mr. Ali Alananzeh, swerved in front him and blocked his vehicle,” said the Watertown Police announcement. “The driver then exited the vehicle before reportedly displayed a knife and proceeding to open the trunk of his vehicle and threatened to retrieve a gun and shoot the victim.

Police/Fire

Two Alarm Fire Damages Watertown Home on Thursday

By |

Watertown Firefighters battle a two-alarm blaze at a home on Quincy Street on Thursday. (Courtesy of Watertown Fire Department)

Watertown Firefighters extinguished flames of a two-alarm fire at a home on Quincy Street Thursday afternoon. “Shortly after 4 p.m. this afternoon Group 3 responded to a reported structure fire on Quincy Street. Upon arrival, fire companies made an aggressive attack on a fast moving fire,” the Fire Department said in an announcement on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/9SUKBp5Uws— Boston492 Fire Photos (@Boston492) March 21, 2024

Deputy Chief R. Iannetta was the Incident Commander of the two-alarm fire.

Police/Fire

WPD Hosting Community Police Academy, Neighborhood Meeting

By |

The Watertown Police Department is still looking for a few recruits to attend a Community Police Academy that kicks off on March 26. The Police will also hold the first in a series of neighborhood meetings at St. James Church. 

The Watertown Police provided the following announcements:

Community Police Academy

WHEN? From March 26 to April 30, every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Topics will Include:

• Roles and Responsibilities of Detective, Patrol, & Traffic Operations. • Our School Resource Officers and Community Policing Initiatives. • The Legal Issues that shape law enforcement.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Driver Arrested After Hitting 2 Parked Cars, Pair of Shoplifters Busted

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Feb. 25, 6 p.m.: A bike was damaged and a lock was vandalized at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center. The owner said the bike damage from what appeared to be an attempted theft that occurred between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The bike had multiple locks and the suspect was able to break away one of the locks while attempting to steal the bike. The spokes of the bike were damaged, making the bike unusable.