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North Cambridge Crime Log

Co-Operative Bank Robbery Arrest
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Drug Arrest
5.8.08, 9:24 pm
Jefferson Park

A male suspect was arrested by Cambridge detectives after a long investigation. He was charged with Possession to Distribute various classes of drugs, and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, along with several driving offenses.

A female victim was in front of the Bertucci’s restaurant on Cambridgepark Drive when she was approached by five black female suspects aged 15-20. One of the suspects asked to see the victim’s iPod, and when she complied, it was wrestled away from her.

North Cambridge Sees Rise in Graffiti

Over the past two weeks there has been an increase in the amount of graffiti in North Cambridge. Most of them refer to “LWS” (Lincoln Way Soliders), N.H.O. “Spade” and “NC. If anyone has any information on the graffiti, please contact Detective Crowley at 617-349-3227.

Shooting Incident
3.11.08, 1:30 am
Montgomery St.

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Street Robbery
3.1.08, 9:24 pm
Meachan Rd towards Mass Ave

Two male suspects, unknown race, dressed in black, approached the victim and asked for directions. One of the suspects then punched the victim in the mouth and demanded money. After taking $125 from his wallet, the suspects fled towards Davis Square.

Aggravated Assault Arrest
2.17.08, 10:10 pm
Alberta Ter. & Mass Ave

The arrested person approached a taxi, and, brandishing a gun, demanded a ride to Medford. The cab refused and contacted police, who were able to locate the suspect. The suspect was found to possess a BB Gun.

Attempted Housebreak
2.18.08, 8:30 am
Reed St

Victim reported that an unknown suspect attempted to gain access to her apartment by breaking the front window screen. No entry was made.

Drugs
1.29.08, 9:31 pm
Clay St & Rindge St.

A male suspect was observed making a drug deal last night by detectives conducting surveillance. After witnessing the suspect enter the building and exit several minutes later, officers stopped the motor vehicle the suspect was operating and after searching his person found crack cocaine and large bills. He was arrested for Possession to Distribute Cocaine and Drug Violation Near a School/Park.

Housebreak
1.25.08, 12:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Matignon Rd

Victim returned home to discover that her home had been broken into. She called police, and after they secured the residence, she found that over many valuable pieces of jewelry had been stolen. The suspect entered the home by cutting through a screen on a basement window. The window was pushed in and the hinges broken. The thief left behind pieces of costume jewelry and only took the things that were valuable.

Street Robbery
1.23.08, 10:10 am
Porter Square

A 45-year-old male victim was waiting for the bus in Porter Square when a suspect walked up, demanding to see his EBT card. When the victim pulled it out, along with $40, the suspect snatched it and fled towards Somerville.

Suspect Description: white male, late 40s, medium build, wearing dark sunglasses, a dark jacket, black jeans, with a mustache.

Commercial Robbery
1.21.08, 3:25 pm
35 White St

Officers responded to a robbery in progress and met by the reporting person, who stated that a suspect entered the store, Emack and Bolio’s, and asked for a glass of water. While the reporting person was turned around, the suspect stole $120 from the cash box. Officers detained two suspects, but the were not able to make a positive identification.

Male suspect described as follows - White, 5’10, medium build, light facial growth, black stocking cap, waist-length black leather coat, dirty light blue jeans and black shoes.

Drug Arrest
Mass Ave & Richard Ave
1.10.08, 8:19 pm

While on patrol, officers ran the plates of a suspicious car and found that the insurance had been revoked. Upon arrest for Operating After Suspension the suspect was found to have two baggies of marijuana.

Aggravated Assault
1/5/08, 2:33 am
2501 Mass Ave  

Victim was walking with his cousin when two suspects jumped out of the bushes. When the victim asked what they wanted, one of the suspects punched him in the face and the other suspect sliced/stabbed him on the left side of his face. The victim reports that his younger brother is having problems with kids from North Cambridge,  that he had spoken to several people about it, and that this may have been retaliation.

Robbery: Dunkin Donuts
12/5/07 9:56 pm
2480 Mass Ave

The suspect walked into the store and asked for a large cup of coffee and handed the cashier a five to pay for it.  When the register opened he leaned across and grabbed money from the register.  The victim tried to close the drawer and the suspect reached toward his waist and stated he had a gun.  The suspect fled to a running car on Edmonds St, which was followed by officers, however the driver sped off erratically.  Posing a danger to other drivers, the chase was stopped.  After running the vehicle’s plate, detectives stayed outside the owner’s residence to see if he would return. The suspect’s wife came outside and looked up and down the street, possibly serving as a lookout for her husband.

Larceny from Motor Vehicle
12/5/07, 1:22 pm
Matignon Rd

A victim heard a car alarm and looked out her classroom window on Matignon Rd to see a car parked between the church and school with a smashed window.  Another witness stated he was walking between these two buildings when 3 young males passed him, running toward Somerville.  Stolen from the car was a handbag.  Approximately 1/2 hour after this report, the victim was informed by her bank that her debit card had been used at a deli on Broadway in Somerville.

Suspect Description:  The suspects were described as African-American, 11-14 years old, one with a black hoodie, another with a multicolored light jacket

Laptop Thefts Arrest
12/1/07, 4:48 pm
150 Cambridgepark Dr – Whole Foods

A security guard for the building was arrested after a security camera caught him stealing a laptop and cell phone on 12/1.  Several items were taken that morning, however the suspect was only seen on camera with those two items.  It is reported that $80,000 in equipment had been stolen from the company’s corporate office since February of 2007, which is when this suspect began working security for Whole Foods. 

Housebreak Arrest
11/29/07, 1:40 pm
Rindge Ave.

An intoxicated male suspect was arrested after the victim found him sprawled on her front stairs and yelled for him to leave.  A nearby officer assisted her and escorted him toward the T.  The suspect then made his way back to the house and entered the unlocked front door and went upstairs.  Police returned to make the arrest.

Housebreak
11/28/07
Davenport St.

Entry was gained through forcing the front door.  Stolen was a cutlery set, an iPod, multiple pieces of jewelry, a digital camera, and a laptop.

Hit & Run/OUI Arrest
11/8/07, 10:03 pm
Locke St & Woodbridge St.

Two suspects were arrested after two reports of separate hit and runs were received involving the same car.  When stopped, the driver refused the field sobriety test and was confusing with his answers to the officers.  When officers searched the car, both marijuana and a ¾ empty bottle of alcohol were found.  Both parties were arrested – the passenger was charged with possession of class D drugs.

FALSE BOMB THREAT
11/2/07
49 White St - Shaws

An employee received a phone call from a male who whispered that there was a bomb in the store and then stated he was serious and hung up.  The store was searched and nothing was found to be out of place.

Juvenile Arrested for Distribution Class D on 10/24, SHOT on 10/25

A 15-year-old male, who was arrested for drugs ealier in the week,  was shot in the upper thigh last night while walking with 2 other individuals.  Witnesses stated that unknown suspects in a white car fired 2-3 shots at the group and drove away slowly in the direction of Mass Ave. Another witness who was outside at the time, said a white SUV possibly, a Jeep Cherokee passed him at a high rate of speed. 

On 10/24, a suspect was arrested and once released, was assaulted by a group of people in a white SUV at Rindge Towers.  The victim in this incident and the suspect are apparently in a relationship.  This is currently under investigation, as potential suspects have been identified. 

Porter Square Drug Arrest
10/24/2007 4:25:00 PM

The Special Investigations Unit was in the area of Food Town for complaints of recent drug activity when they saw two males, Neil Cooper and a juvenile make eye contact near the store and engage in a brief conversation.  The juvenile suspect walked back toward Jefferson Pk and met with a second juvenile. Cooper then walked toward the other but stayed on the other side of the street.  The two juvenile suspects engaged in a drug transaction and then one walked over to Cooper at which time Cooper handed him money and removed his hat.  The juvenile then placed an object in the hat and Cooper placed the hat back on his head.  The first juvenile saw the Detectives and fled the area; Cooper was stopped, told to remove his hat and handed over a small baggie of marijuana.  The two juvenile suspects were stopped.  One was found to have 8 plastic baggies of marijuana.

What you can do: If you have been noticing drug activity in your area, please utilize our ANONYMOUS  DRUG TIP HOT-LINE to report it.  Scroll to the bottom of this log for more information.

Commercial Robbery at VIP Convenience, 2362 Mass. Ave.
10/15/2007 6:50:00 PM

A suspect entered the store and demanded money from the drawer, threatening that he had a gun.  No weapon was shown and the suspect reached into the drawer and stole money.  The suspect wore a mask that covers his nose and mouth.

Fugitive From Justice arrested on Rindge Ave.
10/12/2007 9:00 PM

At approximately 9 p.m. on 10/12/07, members of the Cambridge PD, Everett PD, and Immigration Custom Enforcement were working together as part of the Metro-Mayor Community Safety Initiative when Lt. DeMarco of the Cambridge Police observed two males drinking in the parking lot area of 362/364 Rindge Ave. The two males were stopped and ID’d as Jose Lopez, of 364 Rindge Ave, and Miguel Velez of 362 Rindge Ave. Velez was found to have two outstanding warrants. He was also found to have an outstanding arrest warrant out of Pennsylvania for delivering a controlled substance (parole violation).  Officials from Pennsylvania stated that they would extradite Velez.

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.