Arrests

Man Busted for Identity Fraud While Trying to Upgrade His iPhone

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Watertown Police arrested a man from the Big Apple for allegedly using false driver’s licenses to upgrade his two iPhones at Best Buy. On Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m., police were called to the store in the Watertown Mall after security suspected a customer was up to no good. The suspect, identified as Darell I. Grosvener, 22, of New York City, came in and tried to upgrade two phones to iPhone 6S, worth $400 each, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “As a standard practice, customers are asked for their cell phone number, zip code and the last four digits of their Social Security number,” O’Connor said.

Arrests

Police Catch Thief Trying to Break into Watertown Home

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Watertown Police arrested a 38-year-old man who they caught in the act of trying to break into a home on Adams Street. 

On Jan. 26 at 12:38 p.m., Police received a call from a resident who saw a man standing on the lower roof of a nearby home, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. “An officer in the area arrived and observed a man standing inside the screen door of the basement,” O’Connor said. “The suspect saw police and began to walk away.” Police stopped the man, and identified him as Edwin P. Lopez of Watertown.

Police/Fire

New Police Chief Michael Lawn Sets His Priorities, Thanks His Family

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When he first joined the Watertown Police, Michael Lawn did not plan to make a career of it, but 27 years later he was sworn in as the town’s new Police Chief. Friends, family and fellow officers filled the Watertown Middle School Auditorium Thursday afternoon to wish Lawn well as he takes over leadership of the Watertown Police Department. “I want to say how excited I am to represent Watertown as the Chief of Police,” Lawn said at the conclusion of his speech. “I am truly honored to be here today and I am very thankful for this opportunity.” He thanked the former chiefs who he has served under, including most recently Edward Deveau.

Police/Fire

Federal Court Jury Convicts Watertown Man of Securities Fraud

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A Boston Federal Court jury convicted a Watertown man on charges that he used an insider tip to profit from the sale of a local bank. On Thursday, Robert H. Bray, 78, was convicted in US District Court in Boston of one count of federal securities fraud, according to a Boston Globe story. The incident occurred in 2010 at the Oakley Country Club when Bray was given a tip on a cocktail napkin from a former executive of Eastern Bank Corp. that the bank was going to buy Wainwright Bank & Trust. Bray, who worked for and at one time owned R&B Construction, was arrested on November 2014 on the charges.

Arrests

Shoplifter Arrested After Throwing Punches at Two Police Officers

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Watertown Police arrested a Dorchester man when he became violent after being stopped for shoplifting at Forever 21 at the Arsenal Project.  

On Jan. 23 at 6:08 p.m., police were called to the mall after store security stopped a man who was allegedly working with a former employee to steal merchandise, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. A manager spotted the former employee, who had been fire about a week prior, and saw the man going into a changing room with numerous items, but never saw him go to the register to pay, O’Connor said. The former employee appeared to be working with another man, later identified as Brandon Joseph.

Around Town

Gloucester Police Chief Shares New, Effective Ways of Battling Heroin Epidemic

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A room filled with people searching for ways to end the epidemic of heroin and opioid addiction listened with rapt attention Tuesday afternoon to the Massachusetts police chief credited with finding a new and effective way of tackling the problem. After four people in his community died from heroin overdoses last spring, Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello decided to move away from the traditional model of arresting drug user. His department announced on Facebook that any addict who walks into the police station with all of their drug equipment and drugs and asks for help will not be charged. Instead they would be helped to get treatment. The message resonated far beyond Gloucester.