Public Safety Watch: Middlesex District Attorney holds speaking event on hate speech

State Rep. Priscila S. Sousa of Framingham and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan at a June 18 event highlighted two bills that could change how hate speech incidents are handled in the state.

The first bill (H.1995) would require anyone who admits to the crimes of assault and battery with the intent to intimidate or hate speech to take part in a diversity training program. 

The second bill (H.1589/S.1056) would clarify the state’s definition of a hate crime when rented property is involved. Under the provision, if a tenant’s apartment is targeted by a hate crime, the tenant could also be considered the victim, not just the property owner. It would also mandate property owners to remove the hate symbols or hate speech from the property, using money they received as compensation for the property damage.

Around 50 people attended the June 18 event, said Meghan Kelly, a legislative aide for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III were also in attendance.

Motor vehicle break-in June 16

A Waltham resident witnessed a vehicle break-in on the early morning of June 16.

Police responded to a motor vehicle break-in on Leitha Drive around 2 a.m. and discovered that the reporting party’s car doors had been left open and the vehicle appeared to have been rummaged through.

The reporting party told officers that five masked individuals with a white pickup truck had been going through a neighbor’s vehicle. The group eventually fled in the truck, driving eastbound down Trapelo Road. Police filed a report.

Additional public safety activity

A summary of public safety activity from June 13 to June 19 is as follows:

On June 13 at 12:46 p.m., police responded to a report of a larceny of a motor vehicle. The reporting party had sold a motor vehicle on Facebook Marketplace and was paid with a check for $9,000. When she tried to cash the check, she discovered it was fraudulent. The police issued a criminal complaint for the purchaser of the vehicle for issuing a false check and larceny of a motor vehicle.

At 3:49 p.m. police responded to a report of a larceny at Hannaford Supermarket at 55 Russell St. According to the store’s loss prevention department, a man had stolen multiple items, totaling $76. The police issued a court summons for the alleged shoplifter.

At 7:18 p.m. an engine from the Fire Department responded to a report of smoke at a Grant Street apartment. Firefighters determined that smoke was coming from a nearby outdoor fire pit. Firefighters advised the involved parties that burning materials in the area was not allowed.

On June 14 at 10:11 a.m., police responded to a report of solicitation at a Berkley Street residence. Officers discovered that a woman had been repeatedly knocking on the reporting party’s door in an attempt to sell a product. Upon arrival, officers could not locate the woman and the reporting party decided not to pursue further action.

At 8:38 p.m. police responded to a report of a sick raccoon at 890 Winter St., an office park owned by BXP (formerly known as Boston Properties). The reporting party believed that the animal may be sick or have rabies. Responding officers were unable to locate the animal.

Cesar Vallejos-Teo, 33, of 16 Taylor St., was arrested at 10:08 p.m. for drinking alcohol in public, disorderly conduct and selling liquor to someone under the age of 21. Vallejos-Teo was arrested alongside a 17-year-old who was cited for drinking alcohol in public. No further information from the police was given to The Waltham Times due to the involvement of a juvenile.

On June 15 at 6:47 p.m., police responded to a report of a larceny at a School Avenue residence. Officers discovered that the reporting party’s golf clubs, worth around $2,000, had been taken from the driveway. The incident is under investigation.

Milagros Marrero, 46, of 70-2 Middlesex Road, Waltham, was arrested at 4:48 p.m. on warrants for conspiracy to violate drug laws and two counts of possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. The warrants were related to a probation violation concerning these charges.

On June 16 at 12:12 p.m., police responded to a report of an assault and battery at an Exchange Court residence. According to a police spokesperson, there had been an argument between a landlord and a tenant about letting a maintenance worker into the residence for repairs. The tenant allegedly shoved the maintenance worker. The worker contacted the police to file a report. Officers advised the worker to file charges through the Waltham District Court.

On June 17 at 1:48 p.m., Marcus Hopkins, 38, of 47 Florence Ave., Lowell, was arrested on a warrant for improper use of a credit card.

At 1:57 p.m. police responded to a motor vehicle hit-and-run on Main Street. The reporting party stated that a red car hit her parked vehicle. Police filed a report.

Juan Hernandez, 47, homeless, of Waltham, was arrested at 2:22 p.m. on warrants for possession of a class A drug with the intent to distribute, resisting arrest, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and three counts of possession of a class B drug with the intent to distribute.

At 7:53 p.m. police responded to a report of an identity theft at a Black Bear Drive residence. The reporting party discovered that a fraudulent account with Capital One was opened using her name. Police advised her to make a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission.

On June 19 at 2:13 p.m., a Fire Department engine responded to a report of a transformer fire at the intersection of Forest and Beaver streets. A tree had fallen on a power line, causing its branches to catch fire. The Fire Department extinguished the blaze and stood by for Eversource to respond to the area.

All information was obtained from spokespeople with the Waltham Police Department and the Waltham Fire Department, the publicly available police blotter and police reports available at the Waltham District Court.

Due to Juneteenth, a federal holiday, the police blotter was only updated until June 18 at 2:30 a.m.