Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/policefire/page/9/)
The Watertown Police Department is running a self-defense class for women in January on the Perkins School for the Blind. It is open to residents and Perkins employees. “Several spots still available! WPD is teaching a R.A.D. class. If you are interested and can commit to ALL four classes, then please contact Det.
The following information was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:
A Watertown man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to defrauding investors who believed they were financing lucrative short-term sports ventures in Africa. Adrian Kawuba, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud. United States District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2024. Kawuba was arrested and charged in November 2022. Kawuba told his victims that he would invest their money in short-term financing of sports ventures in Africa and elsewhere overseas and that he would personally guarantee their investments.
Twenty-eight people have been charged for their involvement with the prostitution ring that used, among several locations, three apartments in Watertown, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. The charges were filed in the Cambridge District Court, but no names have been released by the U.S. Attorney’s office. Along with the three apartments located at Arsenal Yards, the ring also used locations in other parts of Massachusetts, as well as Virginia and California. Levy released the following statement:
“Our office made it clear when we announced charges of a commercial sex ring case on Nov. 8, 2023, that the investigation was ongoing and that there would be accountability for the buyers who fuel the commercial sex industry.
A man tried to break into a Watertown home after following a woman home in the early hours of Sunday morning, Watertown Police announced. At about 3:45 a.m., a woman reported a man follow her home on Laurel Street, hid behind a car in her driveway, and then tried to enter her home, Police said in the announcement. “After the victim entered the home, the suspect attempted to gain entrance to the front and back door of the home. It is important to note that no one was harmed, however, we are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect,” Watertown Police said in a Facebook post (see below). The message also said, “The Watertown Police Department takes the safety and security of our community seriously, we will be adding extra patrols in the area.”
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Dec. 1, 11 a.m.: A woman was in her bedroom on Arsenal Street on the phone when she heard a door shut and someone in her coat closet. She went to look and saw a woman in the closet. The resident confronted the person, who fled the apartment with $2,000 in winter clothing.
Watertown’s Justin Hanrahan has been named the new Chief of the Watertown Police Department. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Watertown native Justin Hanrahan as the new Police Chief for the City of Watertown effective November 30, 2023. Hanrahan, currently a Captain in the department, brings 28 years of experience to the Watertown Police Department. As Chief, he will oversee nearly 80 sworn and civilian staff, providing police and emergency response services spanning four groups in a department with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million. Hanrahan began his law enforcement career as a police officer for the City of Keene, New Hampshire, Police Department in 1995.
A Watertown man was arrested in Newport, Rhode Island, after allegedly delivering fentanyl after being linked to an opioid overdose in October. Jason Sumner, 49, of Watertown, was arrested last week and arraigned on Nov. 15 in Newport County District Court and was ordered held without bail. In October, Newport police and firefighters responded to and overdose, and officers administered Narcan to the person, who recovered, according to a report by WPRI Channel 12. During the investigation, police determined the cocaine ingested by the person had been mixed with fentanyl, which was linked to Sumner, according to WPRI.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Nov. 1, 9:45 a.m.: Police were called to Derby Road after a resident observed two swastikas drawn in the middle of the roadway with chalk. One was drawn in green chalk and was about four-feet-by-four-feet, a second was one-foot-by-one-foot. Some Jewish residents live on the street an were very upset by the symbols.