Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan announced the arrest of a Cambridge man in relation to vandalism at one of Watertown’s Armenian churches in November. See the announcement, and this week’s Police Log, below.
Chief Hanrahan is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of our investigation into the vandalism incident at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church on November 18, 2024. Thanks to the diligent efforts of our patrol and detective divisions, a Cambridge resident has been identified and will face criminal charges for their actions.
This resolution underscores our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community. We hope it brings reassurance to the parishioners of St. Stephen’s and the broader community, reaffirming that acts of vandalism or hatred have no place here.
We extend our gratitude to the dedicated officers who worked tirelessly to resolve this case and to the community for their patience and support throughout the investigation.
Police Log
Dec. 4, 9:30 a.m.: A Forest Street resident reported that a package had been stolen. The incident occurred sometime after 1:15 p.m. on Dec. 3. The package contained clothing.
Dec. 4, 3 p.m.: A shoplifter at Target took a vacuum cleaner off the shelf and left without paying.
Dec. 6: A break-in at the Newton Corner House of Pizza was reported. It occurred sometime overnight from Dec. 3 to 4. Entry was not gained to the business, but there was slight damage to the back door.
Dec. 6, 5:18 p.m.: A woman took $202 worth of merchandise from Target.
Dec. 6, 7:40 p.m.: Police stopped a vehicle that was going approximately 60 mph on Main Street. They discovered the driver had an outstanding warrant from Suffolk County for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault and battery. Wilfredo Paz Paz, 23, of Watertown, was arrested on the warrant.
Dec. 7: A resident reported that a check that had been put into a mailbox on Main Street had been stolen and reissued under a different name. The incident is under investigation.
Dec. 8, 1 p.m.: A man stole $70 in items from Target.
Dec. 9: A shoplifting that occurred at Target on Dec. 4 was reported to police. Store security believes the man was involved in seven separate shoplifting incidents in which he took $785 in merchandise. Police have a suspect.
Dec. 9: A resident mailed a check on Dec. 4 from a mailbox on Main Street and it was intercepted and made out to someone else. Police are investigating.
Dec. 11: Target security reported that a woman took $135 worth of merchandise from Target on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
Job well done, WPD. I hope you share the name of the suspect. No reason not to, is there? And do you suspect it’s the same person who defaced the church a year ago by posting an “Artsakh is Dead” sign? Certainly suspicious.
Now, about those five (!) shoplifting crimes at Target in one week! And those are just the reported crimes. Best Buy used to turn up in the police blotter regularly; now, not so much. Whatever they started doing, Target evidently stopped. The whole of Watertown Mall could use more security, police or private. Same goes for certain shops at the Arsenal development.