The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.
Arrests
May 26, 2:38 a.m.: An officer encountered a Jeep sitting in the intersection of Arsenal and School streets with the motor running and brake lights on. The driver had his head back and his eyes closed, and appeared to be sleeping. Officers knocked on the window for several minutes and eventually woke him. When the driver awoke, he was unaware of his surroundings or where he was. He also took his foot off the brake and the vehicle began slowly moving forward. Police had to bang on the Jeep to get his attention, and he eventually stopped the vehicle. The man showed signs of impairment, including glassy bloodshot eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and lethargic behavior. He was unsteady on his feet, and fell backward into the side of his car. He admitted to consuming alcohol before driving. Police found two 12 oz. Budweiser cans in the cup holders and a 25 oz. Natural Ice beer in his glove compartment. He failed three field sobriety tests. The 34-year-old Medford man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was cited for blocking an intersection.
May 31, 5:04 a.m.: Police received a report of a vehicle that was stopped at the traffic lights at Watertown and Galen streets which did not move after multiple light cycles. Officers located the vehicle and the motor was running and the turn blinker was on. It took numerous attempts to wake the man behind the wheel as police shined their flashlights into the vehicle. The driver seemed disoriented and confused. Police also detected a strong odor of marijuana and they spotted rolling papers, a straw and ripped plastic corner bags in the vehicle. The man denied being under the influence of any substance. He failed three field sobriety tests and passed one. The man was taken into custody, and the vehicle was inventories before being towed. Police found a digital scale, ripped corners of a clear plastic bag, a significant amount of cash, a mason jar with marijuana inside and a marijuana grinder. Dario Jefferson Merisman, 37, of Waltham, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of drugs, and possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug — a subsequent offense.
Incidents
May 27, 8:20 a.m.: A Pine Street resident found some marks on a side door of her home. Police responded and looked at the door, but could not determine if the marks were old or new. The door had other defects and wear and tear. The resident told police she thought she heard noises coming from the rear of her home the previous night, and thought it might be neighborhood kids harassing her.
May 27, 12:37 p.m.: A bicycle was stolen from a bike storage area of an apartment building on Pleasant Street. The black Specialized Crossroad bike had been in the storage room, and the owner believes it was taken between May 3 and 24. Other residents of the complex also have access to the storage area. The bike is valued at $500.
May 28, 7:51 p.m.: A Howard Street resident ordered a delivery order from Wings Over Somerville using the DoorDash app. About 7:20 p.m. he received a message from DoorDash saying his food had been delivered, but it was not there when the resident went to get it. He contacted the driver who said that he had given the food to a man outside the house when he pulled up. The order cost $49.15.
May 29, 1 p.m.: A Waltham resident realized he had left his phone at Victory Spa on Mt. Auburn Street. He put the phone on the counter when making a purchase, and left it there. When he went back to the store, the manager showed him the surveillance video. It showed an elderly woman making copies in the store and then put the copies on the counter over the cell phone. When she left she took the papers and the phone. The next day the owner recognized the woman as she walked along the street. He called police, who located her on Mt. Auburn Street. Officers recovered the phone and returned it to the owner. Police are investigating and charges may be pending.
May 30, 8:26 p.m.: The manager of the former Valvoline oil change on Galen Street flagged down an officer after he found graffiti on plywood boards on the outside of the building. Someone spray painted a large tree with an owl wearing a face mask, and it said “Please hang used masks on me.” Two face masks were nailed onto the branches of the tree. On another piece of wood, someone spray painted the phrase “Die for the economy – Trump.” The manager believes the graffiti occurred between May 25 and 30.
May 31, 12:54 p.m.: Police found graffiti on a concrete wall in Filippello Park. Someone spray painted the messages “Protect your labor value, read Marx,” “Cops are not your friends,” “ACAB,” and “Eat the Rich.” Several other symbols were found, including a hammer and sickle. The Department of Public Works was contacted to clean the wall.