Police/Fire

Gun Shown During Watertown Road Rage Incident

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A man flashed a hand gun during a road rage incident in Watertown Thursday afternoon, according to police. The incident began around 2 p.m. near the Mount Auburn Cemetery and ended on Edgecliff Road. A man driving a large white SUV got out of his car and showed a hand gun to the other driver, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. The suspect described as a black man, about 5-foot-8, over 200 pounds and wore a baggy pastel colored polo shirt, Lawn said. He left heading eastbound on Belmont Street.

Around Town

Police Log: Shoplifters Busted at Target, Tires Slashed in Watertown

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

Arrests

April 21, 5:35 p.m.: A woman was spotted taking numerous clothing items from Target and tried to leave the store. She had $200.49 worth of clothing. Police arrested a 58-year-old Belmont woman on charges of shoplifting over $100. April 21, 4:48 p.m.: An officer on patrol on Main Street stopped a car and discovered the driver had an outstanding arrest warrant. A 36-year-old Dedham man was arrested on the warrant out of Dedham District Court.

Government

Budget Calls for More Police and Firefighters in Watertown

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Watertown will have more police officers and firefighters on duty with the Fiscal 2015 budget getting a boost from federal grants. The budget presented by Town Manger Michael Driscoll on Tuesday includes funding for a new police officer, as well as funding to cover the town’s matching portion for three positions funded by a grant. In May the Police Department will apply for the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Hiring Program run by the U.S. Department of Justice. The federal grant covers 75 percent of the salary for a police officer for three years. The town covers the rest and must keep the officer on for at least a year after the program ends, Driscoll said.

Around Town

Woman’s ‘Shopping Spree’ Lands her in Back of Police Car

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An woman upset that she could not return merchandise to Target tried to take matters into her own hands, but ended up under arrest. On April 25, a woman went to the customer service desk at Target to try to return some items, but was told she could not because she did not have the receipt. The woman was not satisfied with that answer. “She said ‘If I don’t get the money I will still what I need,'” said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “Then she walked through the store and took items off the shelf and tried to leave.”

Around Town

Watertown Police Log: Drunken Driver Strikes 3 Cars, Laptop Taken

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

April 15, 8:59 p.m.: A 52-year-old Watertown man was arrested on charges of simple assault, domestic assault and battery and on two outstanding warrants. He was arrested on Robert Ford Road. April 16, 4:48 p.m.: A 35-year-old Watertown man was arrested after an incident on Warren Street. He faces charges of domestic assault and battery on a person over age 60.

Police/Fire

Timing Equipment Stolen from Watertown Police 5K Race

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Race organizers put down electronic timing equipment for the Finish Strong 5K Road Race on the anniversary of the Watertown Manhunt, but when they went  to retrieve it, the equipment was gone. The race raised money for charities that helped the Boston Marathon Bombing victims and local school and community groups. (Click here to find out more about the race). RaceWire, which ran the timing of the race organized by the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association, had left a generator and red mats with bib timing devices in it on Arlington Street near Merrifield Avenue for the start of the road race, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. “They went to set up the finish line, and when they went back it was gone,” Lawn said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Log: Shoplifters Busted and More

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

April 7, 10:02 p.m.: Police received information that a man wanted on a warrant was at a home on Sycamore Street. A 25-year-old Watertown man was arrested on a warrant out of Woburn District Court. April 8, 6:30 p.m.: A man was spotted at Stop & Shop on Watertown Street placing a large amount of groceries into a reusable bag and then tried to leave the store. The total value was $238.48.

Around Town

Boston Marathon Entries from Watertown Soar in 2014

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The number of Boston Marathon entrants from Watertown has spiked a year after the bombing at the finish line and events that culminated in the shootout with and stopping of the bombing suspects in town. In 2012, 38 Watertown residents ran the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square in Boston (Ed. Note: I could not find the 2013 numbers but they were similar). This year 76 town residents are running, according to the Boston Athletic Association. In addition, a dozen Watertown Police officers (including 5 from the list of town residents) and one Watertown Firefighter are running the race.