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Riverside Crime Log
Unarmed Street Robbery
8.13.08, 8:20 PM – 8:30 PM
Jay St. & River St.
A victim was confronted by 6 suspects who knocked him to the ground, kicked him, and stole his Blackberry phone. One suspect was riding a yellow bike, and all 6 fled towards Central Sq. Four males on bikes were stopped in the area but the victim could not make positive IDs.
Aggravated Assault
8.1.08, 1:52 PM
Gilmore Street & Western Avenue
A victim reported that while he was playing basketball, he noticed someone had slashed the tire on his bike. He believed it was another juvenile he has been having an ongoing dispute with. On his way home, the victim reported that someone approached him who identified himself as the cousin of the juvenile that the victim has been having problems with. He produced a 4” silver bladed knife and tried to grab the victim by the shirt but victim was able to flee. The suspect was described as a black male, 15 years old, 5’7”, thin build, close-cropped hair wearing a white T-shirt and black sweat pants riding a mountain bike.
Malicious Destruction of Property
8.1.08, 6:30 PM
Franklin St.
The manager of the Cambridge Court Apartments reported that an unknown white male tried to kick in an apartment door and damaged the lower lock. While reviewing videotape, the reporting party stated that she saw a girl leave and come back with the suspect and try to kick the door in and then leave.
Attempted Auto Theft
7.28.08, 12:25 AM – 12:30 AM
Mount Auburn Street
A reporting party stated that someone had broken into his car by smashing the window with an unknown object. The suspect had gone through the center console and the glove box and left everything scattered. The officer was also able to observe that the suspect had attempted to crack the steering column but was unsuccessful. The suspect was described as a white male, mid 20’s, 5’10”-6’0”, 170lbs, short brown hair, white shirt, dark running pants with a white stripe down the side and carrying a black backpack.
Threats
7.23.08, 11:19 AM
Mass. Ave.
A victim reported being threatened and harassed by a tenant within her building. The problem has been ongoing for several months but has recently been escalating. Cambridge Housing is aware of the situation.
Housebreak
5.29.08 7:00 AM – 6.14.08 7:00 AM
Western Avenue
A reporting party states that while out of the country on vacation an unknown person broke into his backyard shed and stole two bicycles and a GPS system. The reporting party states he noticed the bikes missing when he retuned home on 6.14.08 but was leaving the country the next day again and therefore he was unable to report it until now.
There has been a series of larcenies from motor vehicles throughout Riverside and Cambridgeport in recent weeks. Click here to read more.
Two Arrested for Stabbing at People’s Republik
4.19.08, 11:55 pm
878 Mass Ave.
Two men were arrested after they chased a man into a Central Square bar and stabbed him. The two men were with a group of 8-12 young-looking black males. The victim reported that he had no idea why someone would want to stab him.
Aggravated Assault
4.19.08, 1:30 am
738 Mass Ave
Cantab Lounge
Officers went to the Cantab Lounge for a report of an assault that had just taken place. One person was arrested after throwing a beer bottle in the victim’s face, causing extensive injuries.
Housebreak
4.10.08, 8:00 am -4:50 pm
Green St
Victim reports that sometime on 4.10.08, an unknown suspect entered the residence through either a window in the living room or in the master bedroom and stole jewelry and electronics.
Tagging / Hate Crime
3.24.08, 10:00 am
Upland Rd
A contractor working on Upland Rd. reported that someone had painted two swastikas in black paint on the sidewalk. They were removed with paint remover.
Aggravated Assault
3/13/08, 9:11 pm
Mass Ave & Pleasant St
Officers came across a fight between two individuals in front of Store 24. they were separated, however the suspect proceeded to strike and kick the victim, thus leading to his arrest.
Operating Under the Influence/Drug Arrest
2.28.08, 7:56 pm
Putnam Ave & Western Ave
After conducting a motor vehicle stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana in the passenger compartment of the truck they had stopped. Further investigation yielded a large amount of marijuana. Suspects were arrested for Possession to Distribute a Class D, Drug Violation Near School/Park, OUI – Drugs, and Negligent Operation of a MV.
Larcenies From Motor Vehicles Continue
LMVs in the city are most heavily concentrated in Riverside and Cambridgeport at this time. Popular items being stolen continue to include GPS, headlights, dashboards, purses, laptops, and miscellaneous electronics such as iPods, mp3 players, and stereos.
It remains critical that you secure your GPS system from outside view, preferably taking the entire unit with you. Remove the unit and attachment clip/suction cup from the car. You should also wipe any marks left by a suction cup.
Attempted Street Robbery
1/5/08, 11:10 pm
Mill St & Plympton St
Update:
Police have identified a possible suspect in this street robbery on Mill Street on 1.5.08. The suspect is a frequent visitor to the Mass Ave corridor between Harvard Square.
Victim was walking home from a Harvard residence hall when the suspect bumped into her, asking the time. When she turned away, he grabbed her by the ponytail and took her purse, hitting her in the face several times.
The victim describes the suspect as a white male, 40-50 y.o., 6’3 with a gray beard and long dark hair hanging out from a dark gray knit cap. The suspect was wearing a dark green/gray puffy, waist-length jacket with duct tape on the shoulder and dirty blue jeans.
Drug Arrest
11/29/07, 4:29 pm
806 Mass Ave
An officer was outside the senior center when he saw two people making an exchange from a pill bottle. Upon approaching them one discarded the pill. A pill was found on the ground and one had a prescription for Oxycodone on him. Upon separating them, one suspect said she paid the prescription-holder $15 for one pill. Both were arrested and a bottle with 25 pills was recovered.
Drug Arrest
11/27/07
Banks St. and Flagg St
An individual was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute after detectives conducting surveillance saw a car with a male leaning in. Information had been received that the car and the male leaning in the window were involved in drug activity. The vehicle was stopped and the operator was removed from the car. Police found that he was in possession of three baggies of cocaine. Also recovered from his person was $280 dollars in various pockets and denominations along with two cell phones.
Call the Anonymous Drug Tip Hotline if you witness any drug activity in your area.
Drugs
11/21/07, 9:53 pm
Blackstone St & River St
An officer observed a suspect while he met with a few different males and approached him inside Riverside Press Park after two other males joined him. When confronted, the suspect turned over some marijuana and an additional bag was found during the search.
HOUSEBREAK
11/20/07, 6:17 pm
Hews St.
A witness saw a suspect (described as an African-American male 50, short hair with a bald spot in the middle, black clothes), jump over the fence into his yard with a flat screen TV. The suspect stated to the witness that he had been thrown out of his Aunt’s house next door and provided the woman’s name, saying he was moving out. The witness spoke to the residents next door, who stated that no one was moving out, causing the witness to be suspicious and call the police. Other items stolen were jewelry, shoes, a purse, and iPod speakers.
HOUSEBREAK
11/2/07
River St
Victim states there were no signs of forced entry but that it is thought the suspect may have entered through an unlocked first floor window. Stolen were two digital cameras, a blackberry, and a computer zip drive.
History: There have been 6 other housebreaks within a few blocks of this location, however four took place in April.
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
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:
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Location of the Incident: Street address of building or house, names of nearest intersecting streets, landmarks near or at the scene.
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Description of Persons Involved: Height, sex, age, weight, clothing, hair color, eye color, skin color and any distinguishing marks.
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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.
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