Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Who Broke Into Gas Station Identified, Police Catch Shoplifter

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. There were no arrests this week. Incidents

March 23, 3:42 p.m.: A shoplifter was seen at Home Depot taking merchandise. He was known to security from previous shoplifting incidents and this time he was seen putting power tools in a large tote bag and leave without paying. He took a Milwaukee impact driver kit worth $169 and a Milwaukee Sawzall that cost $249.

Police/Fire

Blaze in Watertown Square Knocked Down by Watertown Firefighters

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The Watertown Fire Department responded to a fire just a block from the Central Fire Station early Saturday morning, and put out the blaze before it spread. The fire occurred at 85 Main St., in an office building next to the Santander Bank, while the Fire Station is at 99 Main St. “It was a working fire and came in at 2:07 a.m.,” said Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “The fire was contained to one room and we were alerted by the alarm system.” 

The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time, Quinn said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Warn Residents to Beware of COVID-19 Scammers

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The Watertown Police announced that residents should watch out for scammers trying to take advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak. The Police Department put out the following statement:

Please be aware of individuals attempting to take advantage of and scam residents by offering false services related to COVID 19. Below is an example of a craigslist scam that was forwarded to the Watertown Police Department today. If you receive an offer/ad, such as pictured below, check the validity of it by emailing it to the WPD at COVID19@police.watertown-ma.gov.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters, Police Taking Steps to Reduce Exposure to COVID-19, Need Supplies

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Watertown firefighters and police officers have begun taking extra steps to protect themselves from the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and both departments have found it hard to keep supplies of equipment to protect them from the virus. Along with extra equipment, the Watertown Police and Fire departments have started using some new procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Fire Department may ask people to come out of their homes to reduce firefighters chances of getting COVID-19, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “On certain Medical calls we will have people exit the home if they have COVID-19 symptoms or are in an environment with a COVID-19 positive person,” Quinn said. “This also reduces the risk to the Firefighters responding to the call as lees people will have interaction with the patient.  All patients will get the proper required care but we will be operating differently to protect unnecessary exposure to our members.”

Police Log

Police Log: Trio of Shoplifter Hit Mall Store, No Arrests

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. There were no arrests this week. Incidents

March 11, 11: 57 a.m.: Security at Home Depot stopped a man who had eight items in a cart, but only scanned four. He left the store without paying for the items, which were worth $90.82. When security spoke with the man in the parking lot, they saw a hammer drill, valued at $699, in his car.

Police/Fire

U.S. Attorney Warns Against Scams, Other Crimes Related to Coronavirus

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U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling warned that District of Massachusetts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will of Justice will aggressively pursue anyone committing scams and other crimes related to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Lelling sent out the following statement:

“As our communities take extraordinary measures to confront the coronavirus outbreak, some may view this as an opportunity to prey on the public’s fears and anxieties. The Department of Justice is now focused on cybercrime, sale of counterfeit goods, treatment scams and other healthcare and investment scams arising from the pandemic. My office will aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of activity,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “With the outbreak of COVID-19, scammers have found a platform that preys on people’s fears and could make them more likely to be victimized,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We want you to avoid falling prey to these scams and help us stop them by reporting it at ic3.gov.”

Massachusetts residents who believe they are victims of fraud or other criminal activity related to the pandemic should contact the United States Attorney’s Office at USAMA.victimassistance@usdoj.gov or call 1-888-221-6023 and leave a message. Members of the public can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Closing Public Access to Fire Stations

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The Watertown Fire Department has closed the town’s three fire stations in response to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). People can still contact the Fire Department with questions. The department added that it will temporarily stop accepting donations, such as food. The Watertown Fire Department sent out the following announcement:

Due to growing concerns over the spreading of the Coronavirus all Watertown fire stations will be closed to the public effective immediately. If you have a question about permits, inspections or other fire prevention functions please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (617) 972-6510.