Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Saves Woman from Burning House

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Watertown Police Officer Michael Grzelcyk

The Watertown Police Department posted the following announcement on its Facebook page. Friday, October 11, 2024, Officer Michael Grzelcyk demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a working house fire on Winsor Ave. Upon arrival, he learned that a second-floor tenant, an elderly woman, was still inside. With Watertown Fire en route, Officer Grzelcyk entered the burning building alone, facing intense smoke and flames. Despite zero visibility, he made verbal contact with trapped woman.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Buy Family New Refrigerator After Officer Discovers They Were Facing Desperate Situation

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Watertown Police Officer Frank Forde. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)

A Watertown Police officer bought a family a new refrigerator after learning that a family was in a difficult situation and could not afford to replace their broken one. Officer Frank Forde learned that the family’s refrigerator stopped working, and that the father has a serious medical condition and he could not work, Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan in a post on the WPD Facebook account. “Officer Forde started a collection around the police station with numerous department members contributing and quickly raised money to purchase a new refrigerator for the family,” Hanrahan said. “This is just one example of the amazing work being done by the officers of the Watertown Police Department everyday.”

Police/Fire

Police Arrest Man Suspected of Recent Break-ins in Watertown

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Watertown Police arrested a Newton man suspected of being behind a series of break-ins in town over the weekend. With the help of the Newton Police Department, Watertown Police were able to locate and safely take into custody Jonathan Quintanilla of Newton. Quintanilla allegedly attempted to break into multiple homes and vehicle in Watertown, Watertown Police Department said before the arrrest. Watertown Police Chief Hanrahan said he “would like to thank the public for helping us in this endeavor. We are aware this individual may have been seen in person, or on camera at other residences.”

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Seeking Man Seen Stealing Packages from Doorsteps

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Police seek to identify a man who they believe has been going around town taking packages soon after they were delivered to homes in Watertown. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 20 to 30 years old, 5-foot-8-inches tall, with a beard. Three time over the past week packages were taken by a man fitting that description, said Watertown Police Lt. Ken Swift. On July 25 at 10 a.m., a woman on Emerson Road heard her dog barking and she looked out the window to see a man talking to a FedEx driver. “She realized it was her package that was being given to the man by the FedEx driver,” Swift said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Seek ID of Driver of Car in Hit-and-Run Involving Dog

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Police seek help identifying the driver of a car that was in a hit and run incident in Watertown involving a dog that occurred last week just down the street from Cunniff School. The Watertown Police Department provided the following information on its social media:

Watertown PD is attempting to identify the owner of the attached MV that was involved in a Hit and Run accident, involving a dog. This incident occurred on Thursday July 18, 2024, at approximately 5:30PM. The vehicle was traveling East on Warren St. by King St.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Announces 2 Promotions

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The Watertown Police announced the promotion of Kenneth Swift and Mark Leitner. Pictured left to right: Captain Delaney, Sgt. Leitner, Chief Hanrahan, Lt. Swift and Captain Unsworth. (Courtesy of Watertown Police)

Two members of the Watertown Police Department have been promoted. See Police Chief Justin Hanrahan’s announcement.

Police/Fire

Police Get Public’s Help ID’ing Driver Who Damaged Watertown Restaurant

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The red pickup that struck Jana Grill on Galen Street. The photo was released by Watertown Police. Watertown Police have received help identifying the vehicle who slammed into the side of Jana Grill on Galen Street. The restaurant has closed temporarily due to the damage from the incident. The Watertown Police sent out the following request seeking public assistance on Wednesday, July 3:

Watertown PD is still looking to identify the driver and vehicle involved in an accident that occurred at 2:20am on Monday morning.

Police/Fire

Retiring Watertown Detective to Share His Crime Investigating Knowledge & Work on Cold Cases

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Longtime Watertown Police Detective David MacNeil is moving on to new challenges, including teaching crime scene investigation and working on cold cases. (Photo by Leah O’Brien Photography)

During his time at the Watertown Police Department, David MacNeil has trained at national crime investigation centers, taught trainings himself, he was the inspiration for a character in books and movies, and he got to visit Scotland Yard. Now, in his retirement, the Watertown native plans to share what he’s learned with others in law enforcement, and to help solve cold cases. MacNeil retired at the end of April after 36 years as a Watertown Police officer, including the last 22 as a detective. He is now the president of MacNeil Investigations & Forensic Consulting where he will focus on private investigations, and training law enforcement in crime scene investigation practices and forensic science.