Community Alert: Boston Police Investigating Reports of Several House Breaks in the Neponset/Ashmont Neighborhoods of Dorchester

Detectives from District C-11 (Dorchester) are investigating five incidents in which homes were broken into in the Neponset/Ashmont sections of Dorchester. The breaks occurred between December 14th and December 16th during the hours of 9:00pm and 3:00am. In all five incidents, the suspect or suspects attempted to gain entry through either a first floor or basement window.

The incidents occurred at the following locations:

At about 9:20pm, on Friday, December 14, 2012, officers responded to a call for breaking and entering in the area of Boutwell Street. Victim says the suspect broke into a vacant 1^st floor apartment and nothing was stolen. Victim was unable to provide an accurate description of the suspect.

At about 10:52pm, on Friday, December 14, 2012, officers responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the area of Lombard Street. Victim says he was home at the time of the break and was able to scare the suspect off. Victim says nothing was stolen and he was unable to get a good look at the suspect.

At about 11:00am, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, officers responded to a call to take a report for a breaking and entering in the area of Magdala Street. On arrival, officers spoke to a victim who stated that he discovered a broken window in his basement and believes someone tried to gain access to his basement between the hours of 11:00pm on Friday (December 14, 2012) and 10:00am on Saturday (December 15, 2012). Victim reports nothing was stolen.

At about 3:06am, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, officers responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the area of Tolman Street. Victim says she awoke to her dog barking. Upon further investigation, she discovered that her rear porch door had been unlocked and various pieces of lawn equipment, which had been stored under the porch, had been strewn about the yard. Victim says it appears nothing was stolen.

At about 2:05am, on December 16, 2012, officers responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the area of Mather Street. On arrival, officers spoke with victim who stated that she was asleep when she heard a noise in her residence.  When she went to investigate the noise, the victim states she observed and confronted two black teenagers who fled upon seeing her.

Detectives from District C-11 (Dorchester) are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding these incidents. Anyone with information is encouraged to call District C-11 detectives at (617) 343.4335.

Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe:

• A strong door is a good door. Solid wooden doors or doors reinforced with steel offer greater protection than hollow core wooden doors.
• Use safe locks. Adding quality deadbolt locks to your exterior doors adds and provides greater security to your residence.
• Lock your windows especially those that are easily accessible to unwanted intruders.  Windows on the first floor or basement levels should always be locked.
• In a single family home or a multi-dwelling building, the outer hallway door should always be locked. Access to the inner hallway, provides access to anyone who seeks to break into your residence.
• Know your neighbors and keep an eye out for them and their property. Consider having a neighbor or friend watch your home when you’re on vacation.
• Consider joining or organizing a Neighborhood Crime Watch group. For more info on how to join, call (617) 343.4345.
• Call 911 to report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
• Call your local district station and request a home security analysis.