Public safety report: Two Waltham women face multiple charges in car theft case

Two Waltham women who stole a vehicle this week from a man in the ReNew Apartments were apprehended.

On April 21 at 11:07 a.m., police responded to reports of a stolen car on Middlesex Circle. A man said he had allowed two women he was previously acquainted with to stay at his home overnight because they said they didn’t have anywhere to stay or anything to eat. When he woke up, the man realized his car keys and car were gone as well as some cash. His vehicle contained $26,000 worth of power tools. The vehicle was reported as stolen, and the man was able to identify the two suspects to the police. Police issued warrants for the two women. The vehicle was ultimately recovered in a CVS parking lot in Fitchburg.

The next day at 7:26 p.m., a Waltham police officer recognized and arrested the two women, Ali Barnes, 29, and Bianca Lavargna, 33, both of Waltham. Both had warrants related to the Middlesex Circle theft the day before for larceny from a person, larceny under $250 from a person over 60, larceny of a motor vehicle and larceny of over $1,200. Lavargna had additional warrants for receiving stolen property over $1,200, withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding, destruction of property over $1,200 and possession of a class A drug. 

During booking, it was discovered that Lavargna had a hypodermic needle that contained a lightly tinted tan liquid that officers believed to be heroin as well as eight pills that officers believed to be Adderall. Lavargna was additionally charged with another count of possession of a class A drug and one count of possession of a class B drug.

A summary of police activity from April 18 to April 21 is as follows:

On April 18 at 10:19 a.m., a man called to report that there was a homicide in Waltham. This report turned out to be false, and the man had called multiple times before reporting the same thing. Officers are seeking charges of a false call of 911 and filing a false police report.

On April 20 at 3:13 p.m., police responded to Trapelo Road where a woman reported receiving a text message saying she owed money to Apple. She called the number in the text message and the person on the other line told her she needed to pay $12,000. Officers spoke to her and determined it was a scam. She did not lose any money or give any personal information to the scammers.

On April 21 at 12:00 p.m., police responded to Pet Supplies Plus at 1030 Main St. Two individuals had shoplifted $14.60 cat food and dog treats. Police are investigating the incident.

On April 21 at 12:42 p.m., police responded to The Merc apartment building at 45 Moody St. A staff member reported that two unidentified males had come into the building at around midnight and entered the package room. They stole numerous items from inside the packages during the 40 minutes they spent in the room. Officers have obtained video footage from the room and are continuing to investigate.