Police Log: Social Security Scam Hits Twice, Man Faces OUI, Drug Charges

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department.

Arrests

Sept. 17, 12:03 p.m.: Home Depot security spotted a man who tried to take two three-packs of BIM precision blades valued at $80, and two packages of AAA batteries valued at $9.98. He was stopped and the 41-year-old Dorchester man was arrested on a charge of shoplifting and he was trespassed by Home Depot.

Sept. 17, 10:50 a.m.: An officer patrolling near Moxley Field spotted some people at the Field House. When he checked their records the officer found one of the men had a warrant for his arrest. The 30-year-old homeless man was arrested on the warrant from Cambridge District Court for assault and battery, and assault and battery on a police officer.

Sept. 20, 8:42 a.m.: A man who tried to take a water heater from Home Depot without paying was detained by security. The heater was worth $899. The 43-year-old Brighton man was arrested on a charge of shoplifting.

Sept. 20, 6:57 p.m.: A driver appeared to be asleep behind the wheel at the corner of Dexter Avenue and Mt. Auburn Street. Police located a black Ford F-150 and woke the driver up. The man appeared confused and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He failed field sobriety tests. The 46-year-old Waltham man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. When he was searched during booking, police found a number of small white pills for which he did not have a prescription. He was also charged with possession of a Class C Drug.

Sept. 20, 7:33 p.m.: An officer at Main and Lexington streets saw a vehicle make a right turn in a “no turn on red” intersection. When the driver was pulled over, he told police that he did not have a license to drive. The 26-year-old Waltham man was arrested on charges of unlicensed driving and a red light violation.

Incidents

Sept. 16, 4:20 p.m.: A Carver Road East resident was contacted by someone saying he was from the Social Security Administration, and said the resident’s Social Security information had been compromised. The person added that the credit cards were opened in the resident’s name and were used to purchase drugs. The resident gave the caller his Social Security number, but later realized he had been scammed. He called the real Social Security Administration to report what happened and to have them assist in monitoring use of his Social Security Number.

Sept. 17, 2:12 p.m.: Two women went into Carter’s at the Watertown Mall and put clothes into bags. They left without paying and had between $200 and $300 worth of items. The first suspect was described as African-American, about 5-foot-4, heavyset, had curly hair and wore a denim jacket. The second was described as an African-American, wearing her hair in a bun, and wearing a white sweater.

Sept. 18, 3:05 p.m.: A Keenan Street resident received a call on Oct. 17 from someone saying they were from the Social Security Administration and said the resident’s Social Security Number had been compromised and used illegally. The caller said he should make a one-time payment using Bitcoin to reimburse agents for their investigation. He was told to go to a machine in Boston and deposit the money. He realized he had been scammed and reported to Social Security officials that his Social Security Number had been compromised.

Sept. 20, 4 p.m.: A man reported a bicycle was stolen on Sept. 19 between 11:15 and 11:25 p.m. The Belmont resident is an employee of Target and his Trek mountain bike was taken from the bike rack. A surveillance video shows someone, who had also stolen a Fitbit watch, come out of the store, kneel down to the bike, then remove it and ride away. The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s, wearing jeans, a grey sweater, and a blue and white Red Sox baseball hat. The bike is valued at $250, and the Fitbit watch is valued at $170.

Sept. 22, 12:17 a.m.: A cab driver piked up someone at the casino in Everett and took him to the apartments at Bell Watertown on Waltham Street. When they arrived, the passenger said he needed to go into his apartment to get money for the $60 fare. The man never returned, and the driver called Police to report the fare evasion. The suspect is described as a white man in his 50s, who is balding with short hair, a scruffy beard, and wore a blue shirt, blue jeans and a silver necklace.