Please click the links below to view updated crime data in the City of Boston for the time period of January 1st - December 31st, 2007 vs. 2008.

View Data on YTD Part One Crime

View Data on YTD Shootings

View Data on YTD Firearm Arrests

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Posted by BRIC at 05:22 PM | Permalink

At about 8:28pm, on Saturday, January 3, 2008, officers from Area D-4 (South End) responded to a radio call for an armed robbery at 197 Massachusetts Ave (Bon Bon). While officers were en route to the call, a description of the suspect was broadcast over Channel 5 of the police radio. In short time, officers located an individual matching the description of the suspect. When officers approached the suspect, officers immediately noted that the suspect resembled Preston Jackson, 42, of Boston, a suspect wanted in connection with several armed robberies in the area. While handcuffing the suspect, officers observed the suspect drop a piece of paper to the ground. Upon recovering the paper, officers discovered that the piece of paper was, in fact, a hand written note. The note read as follows: “Give me the money quietly and no one will be shot.”

Officers accompanied the suspect back to the store for identification purposes. Once there, several store employees positively identified the suspect. According to store employees, the suspect entered the store and handed them the note that read, “Give me the money quietly and on one will be shot.” At this point, store employees say they informed the suspect about the presence of in-store security cameras. Upon seeing the cameras, store employees say the suspect grabbed his note and exited the store.

Officers arrested Preston Jackson, 42, of Boston and charged him Attempted Armed Robbery. Suspect will also be charged for his role in several other Armed Robberies.

Posted by Media Relations at 11:49 AM | Permalink

POLICE ARREST TWO WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING INCIDENT IN ROXBURY

At about 2:26am, on Saturday, January 3, 2009, officers from Area B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a radio call for a shots fired in the area of Eustis and Dudley Streets. On arrival, officers located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was immediately transported to the Brigham & Women’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officers spoke to witnesses who stated that they observed two black males, dressed in black, approach the victim and shoot him. Witnesses say the suspects then fled the area on foot. In short time, officers located two individuals matching the description of the suspect. As officers approached the suspects, the suspects attempted to avoid capture. After a brief foot pursuit and struggle, officers were able to apprehend the suspects. A frisk of the suspects enabled officers to locate and take possession of two firearms.

Officers arrested Edward White, 23, of Boston and Joseph Warren, 20, of Somerville and charged both with the Assault & Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (gun), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and Carrying a Loaded Firearm on a Public Way.

Posted by Media Relations at 04:01 PM | Permalink

BOSTON POLICE CONTINUE TO SEEK THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO APPREHEND PRESTON JACKSON

Starbucks Corporation Offers $1,000 Reward for Suspect’s Arrest
Boston Police investigators continue to seek the public’s assistance to apprehend robbery suspect Preston Jackson, 42, of Mattapan. Jackson is 5’10”, approximately 200 pounds and is responsible for multiple incidents that have occurred in the South End area, and believed to be connected to a robbery that occurred at the Starbuck’s Coffee on Brookline Ave on December 29, 2008. The Starbucks Corporation has generously offered a $1,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of this individual.

Incident Description:
At about 8:20pm on December 29, 2008, officers responded to a radio call for an armed robbery at 172 Brookline Ave (Starbucks). Upon arrival, officers received information that the suspect approached the counter and handed an employee a note, the employee assumed the note was a coffee order and read note aloud to her colleague. The note read "Give me the money and no one gets shot". A second employee handed the suspect money from the register (unknown amount of US currency was taken).The suspect took the note back from the employee and fled on foot up Brookline Ave. towards Kenmore Sq.

Background:
In the last two weeks, specifically on 12/18, 12/21, 12/23, and 12/24 of this year, four armed robberies have taken place in the area of Newbury Street. During these incidents, the suspect passed a note, threatening possession of a gun, in the process of robbing several businesses.

Contact Information:
Boston Police are looking for anyone who may recognize or know of the whereabouts of Preston Jackson to contact District D-4 detectives at (617) 343-4683. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or texting ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department stringently protects the identity of those wishing to remain anonymous.

Posted by Media Relations at 09:23 PM | Permalink

A look at the last 72 hours in Boston, from Wednesday, December 31, 2008 through 10am, Friday, January 2, 2008 (See recent Daily Incident summaries and earlier postings for more detailed descriptions of some of the incidents identified below).

Homicides: 1
Non-fatal Shootings: 2
Non-fatal Stabbings: 5

Residential Break-ins: 22
Commercial Break-ins: 3

Note: the information above is preliminary information, and should not be considered official crime statistics. The information is based on an initial review of incident reports and may not be a comprehensive listing of events. It is not a statistical analysis, but rather an initial tally of significant events. Some of the incidents included may be covered in more detail in other blog postings.

Posted by Media Relations at 11:31 AM | Permalink

OUI Suspect Brings in the New Year the “Wrong Way”

Yesterday morning around 2:30AM, officers from District D-4 (South End) were on patrol on Lansdowne St., a one-way street, when they observed a motor vehicle traveling in the wrong direction.

Officers stopped the offending motor vehicle to issue a citation. On approach of the operator, officers immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver and noted that his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. Based on these observations, officers decided to have the suspect perform a number of field sobriety tests to determine his ability to safely operate his motor vehicle. Officers had the operator exit the car and perform a number of tests. The suspect could not recite the alphabet, touch his nose, nor perform the nine-step walk and turn test due to the fact that he was so unsteady on his feet.

After failing all of the above tests, the suspect, Paul M. Lamonica, 28, of Topsfield was arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, and cited for a One Way, Wrong Way violation.

Call to Police Results in One Less Gun on the Streets

At approximately 5:30PM yesterday evening, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to 45 Centre St. in Roxbury for a person with gun. En route, officers were advised that the person with the gun was with a group of teenagers, and a specific description of the suspect with the gun was given to officers.

On arrival, officers went to the basement hallway and there encountered a group of nine teenagers ranging from 13-15 years of age. Officers directed all members of the group not to move while pat frisk were conducted to determine the possible presence of firearm.
One member of the group when ordered to stand up from his sitting position, complied and in the process of standing up a gun fell from his person.

A 15 year-old male juvenile from Roxbury was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and Trespassing. The other teenage members of the group were taken to the district station and released to their parents.

Posted by Media Relations at 11:28 AM | Permalink

Quick Police Response Lands Five in Jail

Early this morning, officers from District D-4 (South End) arrested suspects, Isiah T. Thigpen, 24, of Boston, Aaron D. Bloudson, 21, of Dorchester, Wendell C. Nunes, 25, of Dorchester, Yancey M. Williams, 21, of Dorchester, and Demetrius L. Williams, 22, of Brockton and charged them with two counts of Armed Robbery, and Assault and Battery. In addition, suspect Bloudson was charged with Possession of Class D with Intent to Distribute and suspect Williams with Possession of Class B.

Around 1:11AM today, a victim walked in to District 4 and reported that he had just been robbed at gunpoint while attending a party on Reynolds Way. The victim further told officers that he believed that the suspects, six to eight black males, were still in the area of Reynolds Way.

Officers immediately responded to the area of Reynolds Way and shortly after pulling up to the rear of 23 Reynolds Way observed the five suspects hurriedly exit the door and start to walk away. The five suspects were stopped to conduct a threshold inquiry when officers noted that one of the suspects had a hat matching a description of a hat worn by one of the suspects who had robbed the victim. The suspects, once stopped, told officers that they were coming from a party on the sixth floor of 19 Reynolds Way. Based on the suspects’ statements about coming from a party, and the matching hat description, officers decided to conduct a bring back to see if the victim could identify the suspects. The victim was transported to the suspects’ location and he immediately exclaimed, “That’s them!”

The victim then went on to explain to officers that one of the suspects initially approached him in the party and stated to him, “You don’t want to lose your life tonight!” According to the victim, after the suspect made that statement to him, he attempted to leave the party when he was confronted by five suspects in the hallway. In the hallway, the victim reported that one of the suspects brandished a handgun and pointed it a the victim and yelled, “You don’t want to die! Give it up!” The victim reported to officers that the other suspects all motioned like they too were armed, and they started reaching into his pockets. The victim told officers that the suspects told him that they were taking his watch and phone if he wanted to leave alive. After the suspects took the victim’s watch, he was beaten up and thrown down the stairs.

While still on scene, officers observed a man bleeding from the mouth and face walking out of the building. Officers tried to ascertain the cause of the man’s injuries but he was initially uncooperative. After the suspects were transported to the station, the man that was observed bleeding from the mouth and face came to the station and identified himself as a robbery victim also by the same suspects. The victim then gave officers information that allowed them to identify and recover his cell phone from one of the suspects. In addition, officers also recovered the first victim’s watch and phone from the one of the suspects during the booking process.

In addition to the above, officers were also able to recover drugs from two of the suspects, the suspects were then charged accordingly.

Suspect Arrested for Home Invasion

At approximately 3:24AM this morning, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to 20 Arion St. for someone trying to break into the house with an axe.

On arrival, officers could hear a woman screaming for help inside the building. Officers immediately responded to the door that the screaming was coming from and attempted to gain entry. While trying to gain entry, the victim came to the door and opened the door for officers. At the door officers noted that the victim was holding a towel over her hand which had a number of lacerations. Officers then observed another individual walking down the staircase toward them, which they later learned was the suspect.

The suspect was detained while officers talked to the victim. The victim stated that the suspect who is known to her came to her door earlier and started banging on the door. The victim reported that she cracked her door open to talk to the suspect when he pushed his way into the apartment and forced the victim back inside the apartment. According to the victim, the suspect then demanded money from her while she struggled with the suspect. During the struggle, the suspect wielded a knife and held it n a menacing manner toward the victim and stole her cell phone. The victim was able to get away from the suspect when she heard officers trying to gain entry and open the door for them.

The suspect, Jose A. Rosa, 26, of Dorchester was arrested and charged with Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, and Resisting Arrest.

Posted by Media Relations at 11:54 AM | Permalink

BOSTON POLICE INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE WITH DISTRICT BOUNDRY CHANGES

Today the Boston Police Department announces plans to institute district boundary changes that will affect five of the city’s eleven police districts. Throughout the planning process, officers met with local residents and crime watch groups in affected areas to work collaboratively on the final plan. The new plan is intended to increase efficiency and quality of service. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2009.
Any police district that receives an increase in their geographical patrol area will receive additional officers to supplement the ones currently assigned to those districts. This will be done through internal transfers and utilizing new police recruits who have recently graduated from the Academy.

District changes include:

• Forrest Hills MBTA station which currently resides on District E-18 will now fall on District E-13. District E-18 had assigned a patrol officer as a walking beat in the area of Forrest Hills. After discussions with area community groups, the department seeks to continue the relationship that the officer has with the local residents and merchants. The officer, currently assigned to E-18 will be transferred to E-13 and will continue to serve the Forrest Hills neighborhood as its walking beat officer.
• The area around Morton St & Harvard St. which is currently being developed into multiple condominiums known as Olmsted Green, will no longer fall on District E-18, but rather District B-3. Until now, that land had been undeveloped and as such required few calls for police service. With the recent growth of multiple residential units located in close proximity to the District B-3 police station, the department and community members agreed that the emerging community would benefit most by changing districts.
• Lastly, there will be a change between Districts C-6 and C-11. Currently the peninsula that holds UMASS Boston, the JFK Library and the Harbor Point Housing community resides on District C-11. Geographically, this area is closer to the C-6 police station and South Boston in general. Therefore, it is considered more efficient to change the district assignment from District C-11 to District C-6.

Posted by Media Relations at 03:08 PM | Permalink

Be Careful of the Internet!

Yesterday morning around 10:23AM, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to 1441 Tremont St. in Roxbury, Western Union for a female attempting to cash a bad check.

On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who reported that on several occasions that she has cashed checks for the suspect, who was still in the store, and that these checks had come back as fraudulent. The victim then provided officers with the copies of the fraudulent checks that had been cashed in the past along with a copy of the check that the suspect was now attempting to cash.

Officers then spoke to the suspect who stated that she had answered an advertisement on Craig’s List job’s section, which had to do with a customer service survey involving Western Union. The suspect further explained that she was mailed six checks worth $500.00 each and told to cash the checks and keep $400.00 and mail back $100.00 to a person in California address. The suspect further stated that she received the information via e-mail.

The suspect, Kristen A. Solomon, 24, of Boston was arrested and charged with Uttering a False Check.

Vigilance Pays Off for Officers on Patrol

Yesterday evening around 5:33PM, officers from District D-14 (Allston and Brighton) were on patrol in the area of Commonwealth Ave. and Griggs St. when they entered an alley in the rear of 8 Griggs Street. While entering the alley, officers observed an individual exit the rear of 8 Griggs St. on a bicycle carrying large canvass bag on the handlebars and another large white store bag in his right hand.

Officers, knowing that there have been a number of burglaries in the area stopped this individual to conduct a threshold inquiry. During the inquiry, the suspect fled on his bicycle while being pursued by the officer on foot. The officer continued to pursue the suspect while broadcasting his description and direction of flight. During the pursuit, the suspect lost control of his bicycle and crashed near the intersection of Griggs St. and Brainard Road where he was detained pending the outcome of an investigation into his activities in the rear of 8 Griggs Street.

Officers returned to the rear of 8 Griggs St. where they made note that someone had attempted to enter that location. In addition, officers found numerous burglarious tools in the bags that the suspect had on his bag. The suspect, Jorge Ruiz, 41, of Allston was arrested and charged with Attempted Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime, Possession of Burglarious Tools, and several outstanding warrants from different courts with charges ranging from Receiving Stolen Property to Shoplifting.

Not Knowing Is No Excuse!

Yesterday afternoon around 3:13PM, officer from District B-2 (Roxbury) arrested suspects, Carlton C. Spence, 46, of Dorchester, Mildred Aubry, 55, of Roxbury and Alphonso J. Dawson, 42, of Dorchester and charged them with Larceny of a Motor Vehicle over $250, Possession of Burglarious Tools, and Trespassing.

Officers initially responded to a radio call for a crime in progress across from 6 Cleveland Street. On arrival, officer observed the above three suspects in the rear of 37 Winthrop Street with the suspects’ car parked next to an abandoned car with all four doors and trunk opened. Inside the suspects’ vehicle, there were miscellaneous items and car parts that had apparently been removed from the abandoned car. Further inspection revealed that the abandoned car had numerous engine parts that had been unfastened and several others that had been totally disassembled, and the car had been lifted on jacks. In addition, there was a 4-way lug wrench and vice-grip pliers on the engine block. The two male suspects were observed working on the abandoned car when officers first arrived.

Officers then spoke with the suspects who told them that they had driven to the location to get car parts for the female suspect’s car, and they had not known that it was a criminal offense to steal car parts from an “abandoned” car.

The suspects were arrested and transported to the station and their car towed.

Posted by Media Relations at 01:27 PM | Permalink

BOSTON POLICE CONTINUE TO SEEK THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO IDENTIFY ROBBERY SUSPECT
Starbucks Corporation Offers $1,000 Reward for Suspect’s Arrest

Boston Police investigators continue to seek the public’s assistance to identify a robbery suspect, who is responsible for multiple incidents that have occurred in the South End area. The suspect is believed to be connected to a robbery that occurred last evening at the Starbuck’s Coffee on Brookline Ave. The Starbucks Corporation has generously offered a $1,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of this individual.

Incident Description:
At about 8:20pm on December 29, 2008, officers responded to a radio call for an armed robbery at 172 Brookline Ave (Starbucks). Upon arrival, officers received information that the suspect approached the counter and handed an employee a note, the employee assumed the note was a coffee order and read note aloud to her colleague. The note read "Give me the money and no one gets shot". A second employee handed the suspect money from the register (unknown amount of US currency was taken).The suspect took the note back from the employee and fled on foot up Brookline Ave. towards Kenmore Sq.

Background:
In the last two weeks, specifically on 12/18, 12/21, 12/23, and 12/24 of this year, four armed robberies have taken place in the area of Newbury Street. During these incidents, the suspect passed a note, threatening possession of a gun, in the process of robbing several businesses.

Contact Information:
Boston Police are looking for anyone who may recognize or know of the whereabouts of this individual to contact District D-4 detectives at (617) 343-4683. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or texting ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department stringently protects the identity of those wishing to remain anonymous.

Posted by Media Relations at 03:22 PM | Permalink

Homicide Victim Identified

At about 12:54pm, on Monday, December 29, 2008, officers from Area B-3 (Mattapan) responded to a radio call for a person shot outside 7 Hosmer Street. On arrival, officers located a male suffering from what appeared to multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the Boston Medical Center where he was later pronounced. The victim has been identified as Jermaine Perry, 17, of Dorchester.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.

Community members who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous fashion can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.

Posted by Media Relations at 12:53 PM | Permalink

Homicide Victim Identified

At about 3:26am, on Thursday, December 25, 2008, officers from Area B-3 (Mattapan) responded to a radio call for a person shot inside 646 Harvard Street. On arrival, officers located a black male suffering from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was promptly transported to the Brigham & Women’s Hospital where he later was pronounced. The victim has been identified as Jason Durant, 33, of Providence, R.I.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.

According to witnesses, a large party was taking place at the above-mentioned address. As such, any person attending that party who wishes to assist this investigation in an anonymous fashion can either call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to help anonymously.

Posted by Media Relations at 12:43 PM | Permalink

Homicide Victim Identified

At about 10:35pm, on Monday, December 22, 2008, officers from Area C-11 (Dorchester) responded to a radio call for a report of shots fired in the area of Brent Street and Melbourne Street. On arrival, officers located a male, lying outside 101 Brent Street, suffering from what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced on the scene. The victim has been identified as Terrence Halidy, 21, of Dorchester.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.

Community members choosing to aid this investigation in an anonymous manner can call CrimeStoppers at 1(800) 494-TIPS (8477) or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.

Posted by Media Relations at 12:35 PM | Permalink

CAR THIEF ARRESTED IN MATTAPAN

At about 6:18pm, on Sunday, December 28, 2008, officers from Area B-3 (Mattapan) assigned to the Codman Square Safe Street Team were on patrol in the area of Millet Street and Talbot Ave when officers observed a black motor vehicle traveling along Talbot Ave without its headlights on. As a result, officers activated their emergency equipment (lights & sirens) and stopped the motor vehicle. As officers were approaching the car, the operator exited the car and yelled, “It’s stolen.” Officers arrested Pedro Marzan, 18, of Boston and charged him with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle. A check of the suspect’s driving status through the Registry of Motor Vehicles showed that the suspect did not possess a license to operate a motor vehicle. As a result, the suspect was also charged with Operating Without a License.

ONE MAN’S BAD TIMING IS ANOTHER MAN’S GOOD TIMING

At about 12:23am, on Monday, December 29, 2008, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for a person caught breaking into a car at the intersection of Beach & Knapp Streets. On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that he was returning to his car when he heard his car alarm go off. Victim further says as he approached his car, he observed a black male breaking into it. The victim says he and his two friends then grabbed the suspect and detained him until police arrived. When officers arrived, officers arrested Albert Boynton, 41, of Boston and charged him with Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle. A search of the suspect enabled officers to locate and take possession of a screwdriver and a black folding knife. Suspect was subsequently charged with Possession of Burglarious Tools and the Unlawful Carrying of a Dangerous Weapon.

DETAIL OFFICER ARRESTS ONE FOR FIGHTING

At about 1:10am, on Sunday, December 28, 2008, an officer performing a paid detail in the area of 148 State Street observed two individuals engaged in a verbal altercation. As the officer was approaching the individuals, the officer observed one of the individuals punch the other in the face. Seeing this, the officer immediately instructed the aggressor to stand down. However, instead of stopping, the suspect continued punching the victim. At this point, the officer issued a short blast of his department issued OC spray in the direction of the suspect. With the suspect under control, officers arrested Albi Mezini, 23, of Millis and charged him with Assault & Battery.

Posted by Media Relations at 09:45 AM | Permalink

At about 12:54pm, on Monday, December 29, 2008, officers from Area B-3 (Mattapan) responded to a radio call for a person shot outside 7 Hosmer Street. On arrival, officers located an 18 year-old male suffering from what appeared to multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the Boston Medical Center where he was later pronounced.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.

Community members who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous fashion can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.

Posted by Media Relations at 08:00 PM | Permalink