Police/Fire

Police Log: Target Catches Serial Shoplifters, Employee Caught Stealing Cash

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m.: Target security spotted three people who had been in the store the day before and took items and got away before they could stop them. They suspected the three were the same people who had been scamming Target stores around the Boston area. The were seen taking clothes and video games and went to the back of the store where they placed them into target shopping bags.

Police/Fire

Man Robbed On Street in Watertown Square

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A man reported being robbed by a stranger who approached him on the street. The man was outside the Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club on Whites Avenue at about 7:19 a.m. on Dec. 8 getting ready to open up the club for the swim team when a car pulled up, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “The car parked a few spaces in front of his and a male walked in his direction and passed him,” Lawn said. “He turned around and confronted him and said ‘Give me your wallet and your money.'”

The man told the suspect that he only had $3, and gave it to the suspect.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Report Finds 2nd Friendly Fire Incident in Search for Bombing Suspects

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A second incident where police officers mistakenly fired on other law enforcement in Watertown during the search for the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects has been detailed in a report looking at the response to the bombings. WCVB Channel 5 Investigates reported this week that an undercover State Police SUV had its back window shot out and one of the bullets narrowly missed a State Police lieutenant. Several shots were fired, according to the report by Kathy Curran, in the incident which took place on Adams Street after an erroneous report that bombing suspect Dzokhar Tsarnaev had stolen a State Police SUV, according to the report. In the first shootout, MBTA Police Officer Dic Donohue was hit by friendly fire as officers tried to stop Tsarnaev from driving away from the area of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street. See the entire Channel 5 report by clicking here.

Government

Town Council Rejects Watertown Firefighters Contract

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Despite pleas from firefighters to end the long standing contract dispute and an award decided by a neutral arbitrator the Town Council rejected the Watertown Firefighters contract on Tuesday. Members of Local 1347 have worked for more than five years without a contract. When negotiations failed, the town and the union went to mediation and finally they took the process to a state arbitrator. The arbitrator’s award came out in October, and called for $2.74 million in back pay for raises, longevity payment and for EMT qualifications. The firefighters had plenty of backing from the Watertown Fire Department – which filled the room at Town Hall, along with labor leaders from the local, state and national level.

Police/Fire

Shoplifter Caught After Pushing His Luck at Watertown Target

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A man who was spotted shoplifting at Target came back for more the next day and was caught and arrested. On Dec. 7 at 10:53 a.m., Target security spotted a man who they recognized because he had been spotted taking a cellphone the previous day, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “The next day he came back and got another cellphone and some toys,” Lawn said. “He paid for the cellphone and tried to leave without paying for the toys.”

Police/Fire

Police Log: Home Broken Into, Man Passed Out in Car Gets OUI

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Nov. 24, 6:08 p.m.: Police responded to a report of a disabled vehicle on Arsenal Street. They found a Nissan Rogue partially in the travel lane and with its left front tire on the sidewalk. Police found man was passed out, lying over the center console and the vehicle was in drive.

Police/Fire

Police Charge Man Who Drove Into Watertown Starbucks

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A 76-year-old man faces charges after an incident in the parking lot of the Watertown Starbucks during which he allegedly struck numerous cars and crashed into the building. Witnesses told police a car came into the parking lot of Starbucks on Mt. Auburn Street and while he backed into a space on the far side of the lot, he sideswiped a car, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “Then he sped forward across the parking lot striking another vehicle,” Lawn said. “He went back into reverse and hit two parked cars.”