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           Mid-Cambridge Crime Log

Drug Arrest
10.1.08, 5:24 PM
Broadway & Prospect St.

Detectives arrested one male suspect for Possession of a Class A and another male suspect for Distributing a Class A, drug violation near a school and driving offenses. The arrests took place after detectives observed the men engaging in suspicious activity.

Larceny From Motor Vehicle
9.29.08, 4:00 PM – 9.30.08, 8:00 AM
Dana Street

A victim reported that an unknown person(s) stole the lug nuts from her wheels of her motor vehicle. It appeared that the suspect(s) were attempting to steal the wheels. The victim realized this when she noticed the tires starting to come off as she was driving.

Street Robbery
9.21.08, 1:34 AM
Broadway

Two victims reported that while walking on Cambridge St. near Cambridge Rindge and Latin School they were approached by the suspect who brandished a small silver revolver style handgun with a small black piece on the top of it. He placed it against the stomach of one of the victim’s and took his cell phone and wallet and then demanded the other victim hand over his wallet. The victims walked to Harvard Yard and used a police callbox. HUPD notified CPD. A show up of an individual stopped by HUPD was negative. The suspect was described as a white male, 5’8” tall, heavy build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up over his head.

Larceny From Residence
9.17.08, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Ware Street

A victim reported returning home from work to find a necklace missing from her apartment. She noticed that several items on a shelf had been moved around and that a dark blue box with the necklace was missing. There were no signs of forced entry. The victim stated that the building manager had let a plumber in that day to fix a leak.

Larceny From Motor Vehicle
9.15.08, 10:00 PM – 9.16.08, 2:00 AM
Prospect St.

A victim stated that an unknown person(s) attempted to steal the tires off of her 2000 Honda Accord. A hubcap and several lug nuts were taken from the motor vehicle while it was parked in the rear lot of her residence.

Shoplifting/Resisting Arrest
8.9.08, 12:59 PM – 3:04 PM
Broadway

Officers responded to a report of two black males that had just shoplifted from a liquor store. Officers noticed the suspects by the description given from the store manager. The suspects were both apprehended. The store manager was able to positively ID both suspects. One of the suspects was later found to have provided a false name.

Attempted Arson
8.4.08, 7:32 PM
Temple St. (YWCA)

A manager of the YWCA reported that upon inspection of a room in the building, she observed evidence leading her to believe that a fire was burned in the room. The reporting party stated that she observed the sprinkler heads taped and bagged and trails of a substance that would lead one to believe a fire was lit. Cambridge Fire Arson Investigation Unit was notified.

Housebreak
8.4.08, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Maple Ave.

A reporting party stated that his wife operates a psychotherapy practice from the listed address. Someone entered the building during the listed time and stole two laptops from the second floor study/office. There was no sign of forced entry or visible damage.

Commercial Break
8.3.08, 9:15 AM – 8/4/08, 12:00 PM
Mass. Ave. (Old Baptist Church)

A victim reported that someone pried open his office door located in the basement of the Old Baptist Church. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole his Toshiba laptop. The suspect(s) also attempted to open another office door but were unsuccessful.

Simple Assault
7.31.08, 11:36 PM
Broadway (Store 24)

A victim reported that the clerk of the store was making comments to his little cousin. The victim stated that he asked the clerk to stop making comments towards the girl. They walked out of the store and the clerk punched the victim in the face.

Aggravated Assault
7.31.08, 10:09 PM
Mass. Ave.

A victim stated to police that he and another taxi driver had a brief verbal argument. The argument turned physical when the suspect jabbed victim in the neck with an ignition key.  The suspect was identified, arrested, and charged with Assault and Battery With A Dangerous Weapon.

Aggravated Assault
7.30.08, 1:41 AM
Cambridge St. & Fayette St.

Officers responded to a call of an assault in progress. A female victim stated that she and her boyfriend were kicked in the head after they had come in contact with two suspects and asked them not to use such vulgar language. At a show up the victims both positively identified the suspects in a line up. Both suspects were arrested and transferred to CPD.

Larceny From A Motor Vehicle
7.9.08, 5:45AM
Harvard St. & Ellery St.

A reporting party states that he witnessed a man shatter the front passenger window of a motor vehicle with an unknown object and flee. Officers contacted the owner of the vehicle who stated that the GPS unit was stolen. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with two short braids wearing black jeans and a dark blue tanktop.

Breaking and Entering of Motor Vehicle Arrest
6.1.08, 7:28 pm
Clinton St & Harvard St

A caller reported that a suspect was checking car doors in the area of Clinton St & Harvard St. A suspect description was given out, and when officers arrived on scene they found a man fitting the description standing on the sidewalk. He was observed checking a Honda’s doors, and when the car alarm went off, he quickly began to walk away. Officers then stopped the suspect and after consulting with the owner of the motor vehicle, placed the suspect under arrest for B&E MV.

Housebreak
5.26.08, 12:30 pm
Kirkland St

Victim reports that an unknown suspect gained entry to his unlocked apartment and stole a laptop, an iPod, and a digital camera. The victim was moving out of the apartment that day and left the items in a black bag.

NOTE: Historically there is a rise in these types of thefts around significant “move out” times.  Be sure to continue to lock your apartment doors, even when in the process of moving out.

Three Arrested for Trespassing at Cambridge Library
5.26.08, 4:05 am
449 Broadway

Cambridge officers arrested three individuals for trespassing at the Cambridge Public Library Construction site. Police attention had been requested because of large shipments of copper building materials that were left unattended at the construction site over the holiday weekend.

Commercial Robbery at Broadway Store 24
5.14.08, 3:11 am
321 Broadway

The clerk at Store24 reports that at 3:10 this morning (5/14) a black male suspect entered the store and approached the counter, politely asking for cigarettes. When the clerk handed the suspect the cigarettes, the suspect then stated “this is a robbery” The suspect did not show a weapon and made off with an unknown amount of money.

Suspect Description:Black male, 24-30 years old, 6’0, medium build, wearing a black button-down shirt, black shorts, and a white T-shirt wrapped around the top of his head.

TAGGING ARREST
4.9.08 – 9:35 pm
Hampshire St & Prospect St

While conducting a routine motor vehicle stop, officers were informed that two boys had just drawn on a sign on Prospect St. The witnesses left, and officers stopped the two suspects. One was arrested.
***NOTE***
There has been a recent surge in taggings around the city.

Multiple Thefts Arrest
3.11.08, 5:27 am 
1493 Cambridge St

A male and female suspect were found to be in possession of ten stolen pocketbooks and several personal identifications from victims of car breaks from Danvers to Weymouth. Officers were called to Cambridge City Hospital for a pregnant female using a stolen identification card.  The suspects’ car that they had driven to the hospital was found to contain numerous pocketbooks in the back seat.  They will both be summonsed for receiving stolen property.  The victims of the stolen property are being contacted.

Threats/Impersonation of a Police Officer
3.10.08, 9:55 am
Somerville Ave & Beacon St

Housebreak
2.23.08, 3:00 pm – 2.24.08
5 Baldwin St Ct.

During the above time period, victims report that an unknown suspect broke into their house via the bedroom window, which was discovered to be open when they got home. Suspects stole portable electronics from the residence.

Housebreak Arrest
2.18.08, 11:18 pm
Lee St.

Suspect was arrested for housebreak on Lee St.  He broke the middle panel of the Plexiglas in the front door, pushed the broken panel in, and gained entry to the hallway. The reporting person, who heard the commotion from upstairs, came down and saw the suspect in the hallway. When confronted, the suspect left the building. After officers located and arrested the suspect.

Crime Prevention Tips

This section contains tips on how to help protect yourself against the crimes listed in the log above.

Street Robberies

You are always at a higher risk for being robbed late at night and on dark streets.  Try to avoid these areas.  Avoid public parks and areas with excessive trees and bushes.  Avoid deserted areas and shortcuts.  Walk close to the curb, except where cars pull in.  Always walk briskly and confidently.  Be aware of who is around you and what is going on.  Have your keys ready so you can unlock your car door, or the door to your home.  If you ever feel threatened, draw attention to yourself by making plenty of noise.

If robbed, always treat any firearm displayed by a robber as being loaded.  Follow the robber’s instructions.  It is not worth being seriously hurt by resisting.

Study the robber as closely as possible.  Take note of their race, age, height, sex, clothing, speech characteristics and scars.  It may help to see if the robber resembles anyone famous that has similar features.  Try to note which direction they flee after the robbery.  Call 911 as soon as possible and relay this information.

When speaking to the Emergency Communication Center, give the exact address of where the robbery occurred.  Describe exactly what happened as clearly as possible.  Describe the robbers and let the dispatcher know if the person is still in view, how long ago they left and if any weapons were shown.  Also state whether medical attention is needed.  

Home Safety

Landscaping

Shrubbery should be 18 to 24 inches away from all exits or entrances.  Shrubbery should be no higher than 18 inches.  Make sure all possible entrances and exit points and windows are visible, not concealed by shrubbery.

Areas That Should be Well-Lit

• Doorways
• Garage Doors
• Bay Doors
• All other entrance of exits
• Windows for visibility and to detect breakage
• Alcoves or hidden areas
• Basement entries

Types of Lighting

• Continuous Lighting

Motion-Sensored Lighting/Automatic floodlights that use infrared sensors to detect any type of motion.

Drug Tip Hotline - Report Drug Activity in Your Neighborhood

You do not have to tolerate drug dealers and drug users in your neighborhood.  You can be a parto f the sol.ution by offering information on suspected activity by contacting the 24-Hour Anonymous Drug Tip Hot Line:

617-349-3359

The 24-hour anonymous drug Tip Hot Line is a mechanism for citizens to provide the Special Investigations Unit with information relating to illicit drug use and distribution, as well as vice issues such as prostitution and gambling. 

When a citizen calls the above number, he or she will generally hear a taped message asking the caller to speak as long as you like.  Explain the activity in as much detail as possible, including the following information:

• Location of the Incident:  Street address of building or house, names of nearest intersecting streets, landmarks near or at the scene.
• Description of Persons Involved: Height, sex, age, weight, clothing, hair color, eye color, skin color and any distinguishing marks.
• Description of vehicles involved: Make, model, color and license plate.

You do not have to provide your name, address, or telephone number. 

Should you witness a drug crime that requires immediate police response, DIAL 9-1-1 and police will be dispatched to the area.

Click here to read about how to protect yourself from credit card fraud and identity theft.