UPDATE TO HIT AND RUN INCIDENT ON HYDE PARK AVENUE
At about 7:28pm, on Friday, May 30, 2008, a preliminary investigation has revealed that at the intersection of Hyde Park Avenue and Walk Hill Street in Jamaica Plain two motor vehicles revved their engines in such a way as to suggest they were preparing to drag race. When the traffic light turned green, both vehicles (one a red Honda; the other a black Acura Integra with tinted windows) accelerated at a high rate of speed. An officer nearby observed the two vehicles and immediately broadcast a description of the cars and their direction of travel.
In short time, one of the motor vehicles, the red Honda, struck a pedestrian in the area of Hyde Park Avenue and Eldridge Road in Jamaica Plain. The victim, a 45 year-old Hispanic female, was transported to the Brigham & Women’s Hospital with serious, but, non-life threatening injuries. Upon striking the pedestrian, the operator of the red Honda continued traveling down Hyde Park Avenue. A few blocks later, at the intersection of Hyde Park Avenue and Blakemore Street, officers located and stopped the red Honda. Upon stopping the car, officers arrested Kenneth Mauras, 17, of Roslindale and charged him with Driving to Endanger, Leaving the Scene after Causing Personal Injury, Drag Racing and Operating Without a License. Additionally, the suspect also received written citations for Speeding, Weaving and Failure to Stop/Slow for a Pedestrian.
The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information concerning the second suspect vehicle, the black Acura Integra with tinted windows which fled the area, is strongly encouraged to contact Area E-18 detectives at (617) 343-5607.
Please take note that the description of the second suspect vehicle involved in this incident has been corrected and changed. The vehicle is not, as originally reported, a green Honda, but rather a black Acura Integra with tinted windows.
Community members who wish to remain anonymous can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line 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.
CORRECTION: The victim’s age, originally reported as 65, is, in fact, 45.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Boston Police Relief Association Memorial Service
WHO: Mayor Thomas Menino; Police Commissioner Ed Davis; Boston Police Command staff; Department Chaplain Reverend Sean O’Connor; Rabbi Yitzchok A. Korff and Boston Police Relief Association President Phillip Terenzi.
WHAT: This Memorial service honors deceased members of the Boston Police Department. The event includes a march to the BPRA Memorial and a concelebrated mass by the Reverend Sean Connor and Rabbi Yitzchok Korff.
The Memorial service will include an invocation by Grand Rabbi Y.A. Korff, a welcome by BPRA President Phillip Terenzi and remarks by Mayor Menino. The Boston Police Honor Guard will play taps. The Service will conclude with a selection by the Boston Police Gaelic Column and a Pass in Review.
The Boston Police Relief Association was organized on January 13, 1871, and incorporated in 1876. It is a fraternal benefit association.
WHERE:Mount Hope Cemetery main entrance, Walk Hill Street in Mattapan
WHEN: Sunday, June 1, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Officer-Involved Shooting
BOSTON POLICE INVESTIGATE OFFICER-INVOLVED
SHOOTING ON BOSTON COMMON
At about 6:47pm on Thursday May 29, 2008, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown/Charlestown), in conjunction with members of the Boston Municipal Court and the Probation Department were conducting Operation Common Cure inside the Boston Common.
While in the vicinity of the Park Square MBTA station, a suspect named Shawn Craig was observed in the area. Craig, known to probation officers, was believed to be wanted on a Boston Municipal Court warrant. With this information, officers approached Craig to conduct a threshold inquiry. As the officers approached, Craig fled in the direction of the Park Ranger’s station. As the officers followed, Craig produced a firearm, turned and pointed the firearm in the direction of an officer.
At this time, the officer ordered Craig to drop the firearm, to which he refused, causing the officer to fire a single shot from his department firearm. As a result, Craig was struck one time and consequently dropped his weapon. The suspect was transported to Boston Medical Center and placed under arrest. Shawn Craig, 23, of Boston was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B. Craig will be charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and additional charges are expected to follow.
The officer involved in this incident was transported to a local hospital for a routine evaluation. The officer will be placed on administrative duty until he is cleared to return to full duty. CORRECTION: The officer is currently out injured until medically cleared to return to duty.
The facts and circumstances surrounding this incident continue to be investigated by the Boston Police Firearm Discharge Investigative Team and the District Attorney’s Office.
As a result of initial findings and investigation, it has been determined that the weapon used by the suspect was a pellet gun. The pellet gun was a replica of a semi-automatic handgun.
BOSTON 24: A LOOK AT THE LAST 24 HOURS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON
A look at the last 24 hours in Boston, from Thursday, May 29, 2008 through 10am, Friday, May 30, 2008 (See recent Daily Incident summaries and earlier postings for more detailed descriptions of some of the incidents identified below).
Homicides: 0
Non-fatal Shootings: 1
Non-fatal Stabbings: 0
Street Robberies: 6
Commercial Robberies: 0
Bank: 0
Other: 1
Vehicle Thefts: 2
Vehicle Recoveries: 2
Vehicle Breaks: 26
Residential Break-ins: 5
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.
DAILY INCIDENTS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008
The Things That People Say and Do
Yesterday around 2:06PM, officers from District D-4 (South End) responded to the rear of 475 Commonwealth Ave. for an individual banging on their window.
Officers arrived on scene and observed the described individual stranding in the doorway of 593 Beacon St. opposite the reported address. Officers spoke to the suspect and inquired of him his reason for banging on the window and trying to enter 475 Commonwealth Avenue. The suspect reported to officer that he was attempting to enter to get his jacket and bag that he had left there earlier despite the fact that he neither lived nor knew anyone that lived in the building. The suspect went on to tell officers that he had entered the building and left his bag there because it had gotten too heavy to carry.
Officers gained access to the building and located the referenced jacket and bag in the trash room. Inside the bag, officers found two laptop computers and battery packs. When initially questioned about the computers the suspect reported that they were gifts from his grandmother and sister. Officers turned on one of the computers and found a resume belonging to the owner who informed officers that his laptop was stolen on Wednesday, 5/28/08 during a breaking and entering to his home. Further investigation revealed that the other computer was stolen on during the same incident on the above date, as a checkbook.
The suspect, Eddie Ray Smith, 18, of Roxbury was arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Property Over $250. The suspect, post arrest, told officers that he had allegedly purchased the computers from an unknown individual.
Fatal Car Accident at American Legion Highway and Walk Hill Street
This morning around 2:27AM, officers from District E-18 (Hyde park) responded to the intersection of American Legion Highway and Walk Hill Street in Roslindale for a motor vehicle accident.
On arrival, officers observed a one-car motor vehicle accident where the motor vehicle (which had apparently been driving outbound on American Legion Hwy.) had left the roadway and struck a large tree. The one occupant of the car was removed from the car and transported to the Faulkner Hospital by ambulance. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, the victim was pronounced.
The accident remains under investigation as the exact cause of the accident is unknown at this time.
B&E Suspect Trapped in Car
At approximately 2:39AM, officers from District C-6 (South Boston) arrested suspect, Daniel McDougall Devlin, 19, of South Boston and charged him with Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle in the Nighttime.
Officers were initially dispatched to 418 West 2nd St. in South Boston for a breaking and entering in progress. While en route, officers were advised that the victim was holding the suspect who had broken into his car. On arrival, officers found the victim standing outside his car door with the suspect trapped inside the car unable to get out. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the district station for booking.
Officers spoke to the victim who reported that he was near his front door when he heard noise outside his house. The victim looked outside his window and observed the suspect rummaging. The victim then went outside and secured the suspect until officers arrived on scene and arrested him.
Boston Police District B-3 Is Having a Ball!
WHO: Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis; Boston Police District Captain James Claiborne; District B-3 (Mattapan/Dorchester) Police Officers; over 300 Senior Citizens, who reside in the Mattapan/Dorchester area.
WHAT: Boston Police District B-3 is hosting a ball for more than 300 local senior citizens. Seniors will be treated to an evening of dinner and dancing. Officers in uniform will be serving dinner.
WHERE: Unity Club
10 Dunbar Street
Dorchester, MA
WHEN: Friday May 30, 2008
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
WHY: Boston Police take this opportunity to show appreciation for our local senior citizens and their contributions to our community.
BPD TO PROMOTE OFFICERS TO COMMAND STAFF
WHO: Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, Department Chaplains, BPD Command Staff and members, promotees and their families and friends.
WHAT: Ceremony to recognize commendable work of three members of the Boston Police Department and to honor their promotions to command staff. The following individuals will be honored:
• Deputy Superintendent Rafael Ruiz is being promoted to the rank of Superintendent. Deputy Ruiz has served as the Commander of Zone 2 (covering Areas B and C) and serving the Roxbury, Dorchester and South Boston communities. Deputy Ruiz has 29 years of experience with the Boston Police Department. He has been a member of the BPD Command Staff for 11 years. Upon being promoted to the rank of Superintendent, he will assume the duties of Night Commander and will be responsible for overseeing and supervising the delivery of general and tactical police services during the first half (evening) and last half (night or morning watch) tours of duty. Deputy Ruiz is highly regarded by the communities he serves and widely respected by the rank and file members of the BPD and command staff. He will continue to work with residents and business people in his new role and continue to foster relationships on a citywide basis.
• Sergeant Detective William Gross will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent and will assume duties as the Zone 2 Commander 2 (covering Areas B and C) and serving the Roxbury, Dorchester and South Boston communities. Sergeant Detective Gross has 25 years of experience with the Boston Police Department, previously serving as a supervisor of detectives and investigations in District C-11 (Dorchester). He is also highly regarded in the community and widely respected by the rank and file members of the BPD and Command Staff.
• Lieutenant Detective Colm Lydon will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent and will assume the duties of Commander of Labor Relations. Lieutenant Detective Lydon has 25 years of experience with the Boston Police Department and is a highly regarded member of the BPD, previously serving as the District D-4 (South End/Back Bay) detective commander, overseeing all investigations on this district. The Office of Labor Relations is responsible for representing the Police Commissioner at employee collective bargaining negotiations, conferences and grievance discussions, for assisting in the development of policies regarding labor relations and negotiations and working with both the sworn and civilian unions of the BPD on issues of concerns.
WHERE: Boys and Girls Club of Boston
Yawkey Club
115 Warren Street, Roxbury
WHEN: Friday, May 30, 2008
4:30 pm
BOSTON 24: A LOOK AT THE LAST 24 HOURS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON
A look at the last 24 hours in Boston, from Wednesday, May 28, 2008 through 10am, Thursday, May 29, 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: 0
Non-fatal Stabbings: 1
Street Robberies: 6
Commercial Robberies: 0
Bank: 0
Other: 1
Vehicle Thefts: 5
Vehicle Recoveries: 0
Vehicle Breaks: 18
Residential Break-ins: 5
Commercial Break-ins: 0
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.
DAILY INCIDENTS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008
Detail Officer Prevents Bad Situation From Getting Worse
Yesterday around 4:30PM, a detail officers performing a detail at the corner of Washington and School Streets was approached by a passerby who told him that an individual was trying to steal some money and the PIN number to an ATM card from another individual in front of the Borders Book Store on Washington Street.
The detail officer quickly responded to the front of the bookstore while broadcasting the information that he had just received via the police radio. On arrival, officers observed the described suspect sitting on a bench with the victim. As officers approached the suspect, he stated, “Oh boy, we are in trouble!”
Officers interviewed the two individuals and while interviewing the suspect noted that the suspect had an ATM card in his hand, which was in the name of the victim. Officers learned from the victim that the suspect was “trying to do bad things to him and that he had taken his watch.” Officers noticed that the suspect was wearing a watch, and when he was questioned about where he got it and other basic information about the watch could not answer any questions.
After further inquiry of both parties, officers placed the suspect, Frank Hall, 45, of Malden under arrest and charged him with Larceny from a Person.
Warrant Arrest Leads to Recovery of Firearm
Around 10:07PM last night, officers from District E-13 (Jamaica Plain and Roxbury) responded to 19 Westminster St. in Roxbury relative to a call placed to 911 reporting that a named individual in apartment 4 had a warrant. Check of the individual’s Board of Probation (BOP) record confirmed that the named person indeed had two outstanding warrants, one for Burglary and the other for Possession of Class B.
Officers responded to the above location and were allowed entry by residents, one of whom was the 911 caller. On initial entry into the suspect’s apartment, officers observed the suspect run out of his room with a pit bull dog and run back in when he saw officers. Due to the presence of the dog, officers were kept from immediately apprehending the suspect. Officers, outside the apartment, observed the suspect first try to elude capture by trying to climb out of his bedroom window but climb back in upon seeing officers. Officers, inside the apartment, then observed the suspect run down a rear stairwell into a basement. From there, the suspect fled out of a basement door where he was caught after a brief foot chase.
The suspect after being apprehended was transported to the district station for booking. While at the stain being booked, offices sought and received permission from the tenants of record of the apartment, the suspect’s family to search his room after being lead to believe that the suspect may be in possession of contraband. During a search of the suspect’s room, officers recovered items consistent with drug dealing and a loaded firearm. The suspect, Javier Rodriguez, 19, of Roxbury was then additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting Arrest in addition to the above noted warrants for which he was arrested.
Right Place, Right Time Leads to Recovery of Firearm and Arrest of Suspect
Last night around 10:55PM, a canine officer was in the area of Humboldt Ave. and Seaver St. inside Franklin Park when he heard what sounded like two loud gunshots in the immediate area.
The officer notified Operations and was informed that the ShotSpotter system had also detected the same. After notifying Operations, the officer then observed two individuals walking from the same direction that the gunshots had been heard. As the officer watched the two, he heard one of them exclaim, “That !$#* was loud! Pow-Pow!” The officer continued to observe the two individuals as they walked across Seaver St. and as they walked onto Humboldt Ave. the officer observed one of the two place something in a trash barrel.
Responding units shortly thereafter stopped the two individuals and detained them pending further investigation of the incident. Officers then went to the trash barrel and recovered a loaded firearm. A thermal imaging gun was used and determined that the gun was very recently discarded as it still emanated heat.
The suspect who had been seen discarding the gun, Joseph N. Rivera, 18, of Dorchester was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Discharging a Firearm within 500’ of a Dwelling, and Possession of Class D for marijuana found on his person after arrest.
SIXTH SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR TEEN’S STABBING DEATH
Wednesday, May 28, 2008, the BPD Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Mass State Police VFAS Unit, members of the Lynn Police Department and Agents from the US Marshall’s Service arrested Pedro Ortiz, 28, of Boston on a Suffolk Superior Court Warrant charging him with Murder in the death of Terrance Jacobs on May, 22, 2007 at Havelock Street and Blue Hill Avenue.
Ortiz, along with five other defendants (already charged in the case), beat and stabbed Jacobs, causing his death. Ortiz was arrested without incident in an apartment in Lynn, MA. He will be arraigned tomorrow in Suffolk Superior Court.