Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Trying to Break Into Home Twice, Shoplifter Busted, Counterfeit Bills Used

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 28: A juvenile was seen taking merchandise from Nike valued at $50. April 28: A woman carrying two tote bags went into Ulta and took two creams worth $125 and $89. April 29: Security at Target spotted a woman taking items. She left the store before police arrived but was located in the area. She had taken $203.60 worth of merchandise.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Boston Man for Trafficking Fentanyl

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Courtesy of the Watertown Police Department. Police arrested a Boston man for allegedly dealing fentanyl in the Watertown. See the announcement from the Watertown Police Department below. On April 22, 2025, Watertown Police, working with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, arrested Wilkims Soto-Suazo for selling fentanyl to Watertown residents. Mr. Soto Suazo was arraigned [April 23] at Waltham District Court for Trafficking Class A Fentanyl over 36 grams (44.4 grams located).

Police/Fire

Proposal to Add Staff for Second Ambulance Will be Discussed by Council Committee

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The Watertown Fire Department has requested adding enough paramedics to run a second ambulance. Currently, the Fiscal Year 2026 budget does not include the money for the eight paramedics, but the request will be discussed by a City Council committee. On Tuesday, April 29, the City Council’s Committee on Budget & Fiscal Oversight will continue its discussion of the proposal to add eight paramedics. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room in City Hall and will also have remote participation. See the agenda and links here.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for Having Child Pornography, Credit Card Scam Foiled, Drink Thrown at Food Delivery Driver

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 1: Police received a report of a disturbance between a food delivery man and a customer. A Warren Street resident ordered food on GrubHub and when the driver arrived he asked the resident for a confirmation code. The resident said he requested a contactless delivery, and did not have a code. The driver said the resident got upset and threw a fountain drink in his face.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Arrest Man Suspected of Having Child Pornography

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A Watertown man faces charges of possession of child pornography after an investigation by Watertown Police. Police, working with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force searched a home in West Watertown on Wednesday and took Patrick Athridge into custody. Watertown Police posted the following announcement on social media on April 3, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.:

Chief Justin Hanrahan announces that on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at approximately 6:00 PM in the West End of Watertown members of the Watertown Police Department, in collaboration with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, executed a search warrant in Watertown. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Patrick Athridge was taken into custody and charged with possession of child pornography. Mr. Athridge is scheduled to be arraigned later today in Waltham District Court.

Police/Fire

Council Committee Exploring Cost of Adding a Second Fire Department-Run Ambulance

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The Watertown Fire Department has run its own ambulance since 1975, and has offered paramedic service since 2017. The one ambulance cannot always cover all the calls, however, and the City Council is looking at whether to add a second ambulance. Currently, when the WFD’s ambulance is not available, Watertown uses Pro EMS, a private ambulance company in Cambridge. Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson told the City Council’s Committee of the Budget and Fiscal Oversight that there is a significant difference in response time depending on which ambulance is dispatched. “Regarding response times, National Fire Protection Association standards require emergency medical services to respond within 9 minutes 90 percent of the time,” Nicholson said, according to the Committee report.

Police/Fire

Two Protesters Struck by Truck Mirror Near Tesla Facility, No Serious Injuries Occurred

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Two people were struck by a vehicle’s side mirror during a protest at the Tesla repair facility on Pleasant Street in Watertown Saturday. No serious injuries were reported. Watertown Police officers, who were on the scene of what is becoming a weekly protest, attended to the two people struck. Both refused medical treatment, according to the statement from the WPD. Police also identified a suspect, but no further information was released.