Public Safety Watch: Police respond to five motor vehicle break-ins

A summary of police activity from March 14 to March 20 is as follows:

On March 14, officers responded to five separate motor vehicle break-ins on Crescent, Robbins and Chestnut streets, responding as reports came in from around 7:30 a.m. to around 2:15 p.m. Police determined that the break-ins involved vehicles left unlocked overnight. Police believe the incidents are connected and are investigating. 

At 3:17 p.m. a caller reported that a package had been stolen from a residence at Stearns Hill Road on March 4. A report was filed.

At 7:19 p.m. police responded to a report of harassment at 25 Nutting Road. Upon arrival, police determined that the two parties involved were arguing about a motor vehicle accident that had taken place several months earlier. Police advised them of their options.

On March 15 at 1:59 p.m., police responded to a report of a motor vehicle hit-and-run at 890 Winter St. Police located the driver who had left the scene and determined that the driver was unaware of having been involved in the accident. Both parties were assisted with exchanging paperwork.

At 3:29 p.m., police responded to a report of a larceny at Market Basket at 110 Market Place Drive. A shopper was stopped by the loss prevention department after trying to leave with items that had not been purchased. Police gave the shopper a trespass notice and a summons to Waltham District Court for shoplifting.

On March 16 at 12:46 p.m., police responded to a report of an unwanted person at European Wax Center at 1030 Main St. A former employee was being disruptive and argumentative toward current staff. Upon arrival, the individual left without incident.

Police responded to a report of a larceny at Market Basket Spirits at 120 Market Place Drive at 6:44 p.m. An employee stated that a man had stolen two bottles of tequila and fled the scene toward Border Street. Officers located a man matching the description given by the employee. The man stated that he put the items back before exiting the store, but officers found the items on the ground near the individual’s location. Keith Norris, 23, of 54 Fourth Ave., Waltham, was arrested and charged at 7:42 p.m. for shoplifting by concealing merchandise. 

At 9:28 p.m. police responded to a report of a motor vehicle hit-and-run at New Dragon Chef at 677 Moody St. Police were unable to identify the driver who left the scene of the accident.

Patricia Peaslee, 57, of 41 Warren St., Waltham, was arrested and charged at 9:52 p.m. for disturbing the peace.

On March 17 at 11:10 a.m., police responded to a report of vandalism at the Merrimack Valley Credit Union at 600 Main St. A manager reported that someone had smeared lip balm all over the ATM vestibule windows and exterior windows of the building. Security cameras recorded the incident, which is under investigation.

At 1:55 p.m. police responded to a report of an identity theft at a residence on Gardner Street. The reporting party reportedly found transactions made in the party’s name from bank accounts that the reporting party never opened. The bank was able to stop these transactions, and police advised the individual of options.

At 6:05 p.m. police responded to a report of a larceny at 153 Grove St. A resident of that address was reportedly scammed out of $200 from a fake listing on OfferUp, a mobile marketplace app.

Santos Retana-Vargas, 52, of 319 Grove St., Waltham, was arrested and charged at 11:22 p.m. for obstructing an intersection, a marked lanes violation and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

On March 18 at 8:52 a.m., police responded to a report of property vandalism at the intersection of Blossom and Lincoln streets. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the reporting party’s tires had been slashed and the trunk of the car had been keyed. The matter is under investigation.

Robert Jackson, 33, homeless, of Waltham, was arrested and charged at 3:38 p.m. on warrants for defacing property and nighttime breaking and entering for a felony. These charges were related to a breaking and entering incident that took place on March 13 at 85 River St. This was reported in The Times’ prior Public Safety Watch.

Eric Rufo, 35, homeless, of Waltham, was arrested and charged at 5:53 p.m. for breaking and entering a building for a misdemeanor and trespassing.

On March 19 at 12:59 p.m., an individual brought a wallet found on Church Street to the Police Department’s 155 Lexington St. headquarters. Police located the owner of the wallet.

At 10:53 p.m. police responded to a report of two huskies running loose at 349 Newton St. Police brought the dogs to the police station and notified the owner, who retrieved them from the station.

On March 20 at 9:29 a.m., police responded to a report of a past break-in incident at a shed at 59 Circle Drive. 

At 6:17 p.m. police responded to a report of individuals being disruptive outside of Five Guys at 1030 Main St. Upon arrival, police determined one individual was heavily intoxicated. Police placed that individual in protective custody before transporting the individual to the police station and then to a medical facility for treatment.