Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Gets Grant to Teach Fire Safety to Students, Seniors

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Fire Chief Mario Orangio and Fire Inspector Capt. Ryan Nicholson are happy to announce that the Watertown Fire Department has been awarded $5,641 for Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and $2,996 for Senior SAFE grants. The S.A.F.E. program is a state initiative that provides resources to local fire departments to conduct fire and life safety education programs in grades K-12. The Watertown Fire Department has had a S.A.F.E. program in previous years, but due to a number of reasons we were not able to continue the program. However, we are happy to announce our re-entry into the classroom! The S.A.F.E. program has a proven record of success within the state, and we hope to educate Watertown’s youth on various fire safety topics.

Drug Bust

Drug Sting Lead to Police Chase that Ended in the Charles River

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The chase that included a helicopter and search dogs started and ended with the help of an alert good samaritans. Tuesday night, Watertown Police arrested an Everett man after a prolonged manhunt along the Charles River involving a helicopter and search dog teams from the Massachusetts State Police. Watertown detectives along with members of the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force conducted a month long investigation on the Westside of Watertown, said Watertown Police Capt. Thomas Rocca. “It started because a neighbor complaint from Whitcomb Street concerning drug activity,” Rocca said. Law enforcement observed the area and on Tuesday night they spotted what they believe was drug activity and the man left in his vehicle at about 7:15 p.m., Rocca said.

Helicopters

Helicopters, Search Dogs Locate Suspect in Charles River in Watertown

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The search for a man wanted by police on drug charges stretched across the line into Watertown when the suspect ditched his car and made a swim for it in the Charles River Tuesday night. Police stopped the man in his vehicle, but he then took of running toward the Charles River and jumped in. A Massachusetts State Police helicopter and State Police a search dogs were called to the banks of the Charles River when the suspect got out of his car on Pleasant Street and jumped into the river. The man, who was from Everett, was captured and arrested near Watertown Square at California and Watertown streets at about 11:45 p.m., according to WCVB Channel 5. He will be arraigned in Waltham District Court on Wednesday.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Scammed by Fake IRS Agent, Three Tires Slashed

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
April 3, 7 p.m.: Police went to Warren Street to serve a summons and while they were there, they discovered the man was also wanted on a warrant. Police arrested the 49-year-old Newton man on the default warrant from Waltham District Court for traffic offenses. April 7, 5 p.m.: An officer patrolling on Bridge Street spotted a grey Toyota Camry without an inspection sticker. The vehicle was stopped and the officer learned the driver did not have a license.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Swears In 3 New Officers

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The Watertown Police Department is pleased to announce the swearing-
in of three new officers into its ranks. They are Officers Brendan Wojtowicz, Allison Grizey, and Catherine Dello Russo. The officers attended a six-month training academy at the MBTA Transit Police Academy in Quincy. All three officers will participate in an extensive field-training program before receiving their final assignments with the Patrol Division. The swearing-in ceremony took place on March 24, 2017 in the Watertown Police Department Community Room.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Older Couple Goes on Shoplifting Spree, Man Exposes Himself to Store Security

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
March 28, 7:45 p.m.: A man was stopped at Home Depot after security spotted him walk out of the store without paying for a DeWalt circular saw. When security tried to escort the man to the back office, the suspect grabbed the saw and tried to leave again when the security guard turned to walk to the office. The man was stopped and when police arrived the suspect was heard yelling derogatory comments at security. Later he dropped his pants, grabbed his genitals and shook them at employees, who were shocked and upset by the display.

Arrest

Man Arrested After Pulling Knife on Police Officer During Traffic Stop

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A 38-year-old Watertown man was arrested after he allegedly pulled out a knife on police who stopped to talk to him after he was found asleep behind the wheel of a running vehicle. 

Police came across the running vehicle on Purvis Street at Main Street on March 31 at 1:05 a.m. When police looked into the car, they saw a man, later identified as Mark A. Mackenzie, who appeared to be passed out at the wheel, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “While checking his welfare, the officer was able to wake him up,” O’Connor said. “It took yelling and banging on the window and the man appeared to be disoriented.” The man was asked to turn off his engine, and when he attempted to do so he turned the heat off and said he had shut off the engine, O’Connor said. The officer had to open the door and turn the car off.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Threatened on Main Street, Car Stolen off Street

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
March 22, 9 p.m.: A woman was spotted in Target paying for some items but not for other items in her carriage. She was stopped and security found that she had clothing and bedding worth $294.62. She said she had a gift card but it had no money left so she paid for what she could with cash but then left without paying for the other items. The 25-year-old Weston woman was arrested on a charge of shoplifting over $100. March 26, 7:25 p.m.: A man left his cell phone at Domino’s on Arsenal Street and when he went back he caused a disturbance.