Police/Fire

Family Faces Charges for String of Thefts from Watertown Store

By |

Watertown Police arrested a man and woman, and one of their children after they were caught trying to take three carts full of merchandise from Target. They discovered it was not their first time doing so. On March 26 at 10 p.m., officers responded to Target after security had detained four people for allegedly shoplifting numerous items, said Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. The couple, a 47-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, were caught along with their two children, ages 14 and 10. “Target security observed three individuals push two shopping carts full of merchandise out of the store with out paying,” O’Connor said.

Police/Fire

Introducing Watertown’s New Police Dog, Kato

By |

Watertown’s new Police K-9 Kato. The newest member of the Watertown Police Department has four legs, fur, and is just 11 months old. His name is Kato, and he’s the first K-9 on the force since the 1990s. The German Shepard puppy and his handler, officer Andrew Civetti will be trained at the Boston Police Training Academy in Jamaica Plain over the coming months. Kato will protect Civetti and other officers, and search for missing people, suspects and drug drugs, Civetti told Watertown Cable Access’ Watertown Weekly News.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Wrestles with Officer Trying to Serve Warrant, Scam Involving High-End Toilet Seats

By |

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

March 18, 10:23 p.m.: Target security caught two people taking items out of the store without paying. Two men were seen concealing numerous cosmetics items, as well as a four pack of Sutter Home wine. They attempted to leave through the store’s mall exit without paying. They were stopped and security found one man had cosmetics worth $31.53.

Middlesex Sheriff

Middlesex Sheriff Warns Residents Should Beware of Jury Duty Scam

By |

The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s office:

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) is warning residents to be alert for a new round of jury duty scam calls. As part of the scam, callers are posing as members of the MSO and are telling residents they need to resolve matters related to missed court matters and jury duty.  In multiple instances this month – including two this past weekend – scammers identified themselves as a Sgt. Cooper and provided 781-819-5610 as a call back number. On Friday, a local resident was allegedly told he needed to pay $900 or would be arrested, while on Saturday, a woman was told she needed to respond to a specific location to clear up three warrants.  The location to which the woman was told to respond housed actual MSO offices but was closed at the time. 

In all three cases, those who were contacted called the MSO before paying any money or traveling to a location. “Nationwide, these scammers are attempting to use the criminal justice system and the threat of arrest as a tool to frighten people into paying large sums of money,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian.  “We want residents to be aware of these scams and these tactics in order to better protect themselves.”

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a jury duty scam you are encouraged to immediately notify your local police department.  If the scammer claims to be a member of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office we also ask you to contact our office at 978-667-1711.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Threatens Officers, Driver Leaning on Horn Busted & Several Scams

By |

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

March 11, 4:04 p.m.: Watertown Police went to a Summer Street home last week to serve a warrant and during the incident a man at the house made threats towards the three officers. The man had also been arrested in 2017 on a gun possession charge. When the officers went to the home on March 10 the man said, “You three officers have guns. If I had one right now, I’d be shooting.”

Around Town

Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban is Ending Early

By |

“The Winter Parking Ban is Now Lifted,” announced the Watertown Police Department on its Facebook page on Friday

The ban usually ends at the beginning of April, but Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn announced the early end of the overnight-parking ban on the streets of Watertown. Chief Lawn would like to inform you that Watertown has lifted its enforcement of the all night parking ban effective Saturday March 23, 2019.The Department of Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department would like to remind motorists that keeping the streets clear allows for road repairs, street cleaning and easy access for public safety vehicles. To that end, all Departments encourage residents to make full use of off-street parking when it is available.(To avoid any confusion, this means we will not be ticketing for all-night parking beginning tonight).Watertown Police Department Facebook Page

Middlesex Sheriff

Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Named to Advisory Board of National Justice Center

By |

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian

The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, a national nonprofit organization that develops research-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities, announced today that Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has joined its Advisory Board. State officials across the U.S. — including here in Massachusetts — have used the findings and technical assistance provided by the CSG Justice Center to develop legislative efforts. In late 2015, Massachusetts leaders asked the CSG Justice Center to help conduct a review of the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system. As part of that review, the Massachusetts Justice Reinvestment Working Group, which Sheriff Koutoujian served on, was formed and produced the policy framework for the state’s criminal justice reform law in 2017. 

“The CSG Justice Center has been at the forefront of historic criminal justice reform across the country, bringing its expertise and experience to countless jurisdictions,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “I look forward to working side-by-side with my fellow board members to ensure this critical work of increasing public safety and strengthening communities continues.”

The CSG Justice Center Advisory Board is composed of a bipartisan group of legislators, court officials, law enforcement executives and state executive branch officials, all of whom have significant expertise related to public safety and health.

Around Town

Woman Killed in Three Vehicle Accident on Pleasant Street

By |

A woman died as a result of injuries suffered in a three-vehicle collision on Pleasant Street on Wednesday night. Watertown Police continue to investigate the accident on Thursday, said Police Lt. James O’Connor. The incident occurred at the intersection of Pleasant and Bridge streets at about 6:20 p.m. Speed appears to have been a factor,Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn told WBZ Channel 4. (The vehicle) “struck the back of the vehicle in front of it, flipped to its side and flipped into a car traveling the opposite way and then flipped over on its roof,” Lawn told WBZ. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, O’Connor said.