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Mid-Cambridge Crime Log

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.

Emerging Housebreak Pattern

Update: Appears to have ceased.

Click here to read story.

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Drug Arrest
1.19.08, 11:04 am - 12:11 pm
1033 Mass Ave

While being arrested on warrants, suspect was discovered to possess peyote and magic mushrooms. The mushrooms were wrapped in several small bags. The suspect was booked for Possession with Intent to Distribute.

Housebreak
1/19/08 – 1/21/08
Clinton St

Victim states that an unknown suspects gained entry to his house by opening an unlocked rear sliding door. Stolen was an Apple laptop and a TV.

Drug Arrest
1.11.08, 6:49 pm
217 Auburn St

Detectives executed search warrants at the residence on Auburn St. The arrested person directed officers to where his narcotics were stored. Suspect was arrested for Possession to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of a Class D, and Drug Violation Near a School/Park.

Simple Assault
1.10.08, 6:04 pm
512 Mass Ave

Officers responded to a report of an assault in progress. A female victim stated that she was working as a bartender when the arrested person became unruly and started shouting obscenities and flailing. Suspect was arrested for A&B and Disorderly Conduct.

Housebreak
1.9.08, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Hancock St

Victim states that when she returned home, she found the window in the master bedroom open, and over $10,000 worth of jewelry missing. The suspect also took some foreign currency and exited through the back door.

Housebreak
1.5.08 – 1.8.08
Fayette St

Officers responded to a reported possible B&E in progress on Fayette St. After securing the area, a search of the premises found that the suspect had entered through the first floor side window (left scuff marks) and exited through the rear door. Items taken were jewelry and a digital camera.

This has been the only reported housebreak within a few blocks of this address since June of 2007

Malicious Destruction
1/4/08 – 1/5/08
8 Inman St

Between the reported times an unknown suspect broke two windows to the St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church. All the doors were locked and nothing is missing.

Drugs/Warrants
12/27/07, 11:03 pm
Inman St

A 22-year old male was arrested after an Officer recognized him and remembered seeing his name in a warrant. When stopped, the suspect gave a different name and became defensive when the officer stated he knew his real name. The suspect admitted to having warrants and marijuana was found on his person. The suspect was charged with the 6 warrants and possession of class D drugs.

Three Arrested in Connection with Larceny from Motor Vehicle & Drugs
950 Cambridge St.
12/27 7:43 am

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Simple Assault
12/13/07, 11:25 am
227 Prospect St
The Hondar House

The victim states that he parked his car in the Hondar House parking lot briefly to run across the street.  When he returned, an employee had parked a truck behind his car, blocking him and asked for $25 to move the truck.  An argument ensued and the suspect assaulted the victim.  Police have an ID on the suspect and are investigating.   

Bomb Threat
12/7/07 10:56 am
459 Broadway

State Police Dispatch Center received a call that there was a bomb at Cambridge Rindge and Latin and Somerville High.  The school was evacuated and checked out and nothing was found.  Students were out of class for only about 15 minutes.

CRLS Credit Union Break
12/3 3:10 am
459 Broadway

When Officers arrived on scene, footprints could be seen in the snow and were followed through a parking lot, over a fence and down multiple streets finally ending on Peabody Ter.  The alarm was for the Teacher’s Credit Union.  Several windows and doors were found to be damaged after attempted access.  It is not believed that anything is missing from the bank.  There was a green Mazda parked in an odd position with no snow on it that two Officers noticed on the way to the break.  Suspects have been established in connection with this vehicle.

Juvenile Arrest
11/27/07, 8:00am

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11/6/07
HOUSEBREAK
Magnolia Ave

An unknown suspect gained entry through a rear door, which may have been unlocked, and stole a laptop, a digital camera, and a USB interface box.

HISTORY: There have been 8 other housebreaks within a few blocks of this location since the beginning of the year.  This may possibly be related to the Area 4/Inman pattern.

HOUSEBREAK
11/2/07
Broadway

Victim was on vacation for three weeks and did not immediately realize she had been broken into.  She thought the air conditioner had fallen out of the window.  Her car keys were missing (car was stolen) and the rear sliding door was unlocked.  Multiple pieces of heirloom jewelry were stolen.

History:  There have been 5 other housebreaks within a few blocks since the beginning of the year, one was a domestic and one was an attempt.

Threats
10/21/2007 7:32:00 PM

An individual was arrested after he was seen hanging out of a window yelling racial epitaphs at people on the street.  All parties were African American and stated the man had been yelling at them and threatening them.  After stating this, the suspect lifted the window screen and could be seen with an object in his hand.  People ran for cover because no one was able to identify the object.  He did not come downstairs when asked and was eventually located and arrested on the roof.

Street Robbery on Cambridge St. & Trowbridge St.
9/28/07 1:21 AM

Two males were walking at the above intersection when two other males approached them, one of whom pulled out a handgun and demanded money.  One of the victims handed over his wallet and the other had his pockets searched by the other 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.