Police Apprehend Fleeing Thieves

Justin Hall
Brockton, MA

Shane Sims
Brockton, MA

On 9-5-2012, Officer Hearon responded to the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets for a reported shoplifting at the Timberland store.  Officer Hearon observed surveilance video, identifying three suspects and began to search the mall area with Officer Schwalbe.

Officers Hearon and Schwalbe saw the three suspects walking away from their location and began to follow them at which point two began running. 

One of the suspects was apprehended in the parking lot after a brief foot chase while the second ran into the woods near the mall.  Officers from the Massachusetts State Police, Norfolk Police and Plainville Police responded to assist with search.

Lieutenant Detective McGrath located the suspect riding a bicycle he had stolen during his flight from police.  Suspects were arrested and charged with various offenses.

Suspects Arrested in west Wrentham

Two men were arrested on various charges on Hillside Drive on 9-5-2012 when a nearby resident contacted police about a suspicious vehicle in a driveway.  The witness told police that there were two men on the property of a vacant home and saw one of them in the house.

Officers Saulnier and O'Connell and Sergeant Barrett arrived a detained the men.  After a brief on-scene investigation, both men were arrested.

The Wrentham Police are actively investigating multiple house breaks in the west end of town.  Even though the police do not believe this arrest to be connected with other recent crimes in the area, Chief Anderson and Lieutenant Detective  McGrath would like to commend the resident for contacting police in this incident, and to remain vigilant in the coming weeks and months.

Wrentham Police Advise Residents of West Wrentham to be Proactive

The Wrentham Police are responding to an elevated number of house breaks on the west side of Wrentham.  The overarching strategy of the thieves remain similar.  Entry is made into the home, they move directly to the master bedroom and go directly for jewelry boxes and bureau drawers (where jewelry is typically kept).

We advise all residents of Wrentham to keep valuable property in unique hiding places.  Perpetrators of house breaks rely on speed and efficiency.  If they do not find valuables in the typical places (mentioned above) they may simply leave the residence, or be forced to take less valuable items.

House alarms can be deterrents if they are earsplitting in their volume inside the house.  At the very least, it may increase the level of urgency to finish the theft more quickly.  It is sometimes helpful to have outside alarms as well.

1:  Do not keep valuables in typical places (bedrooms, dressers, jewelry boxes).
2:  Install a LOUD interior alarm system.
3:  Always lock your doors and windows when you are not home.
4:  Let your neighbors know if you will be away and what vehicles they can expect in the driveway.
5:  If people knock on your door looking for directions or to solicit, try to note a vehicle or license plate.

Be proactive!!! Do not make it easier for the bad guys!!!!

2 Arrested for a House Break on East Street

Dratwinski, Aaron
900 Washington Street
Wrentham, MA

Thomas Busch
900 Washington Street
Wrentham, MA



On August 23rd, 2012, Officer Coliflores responded to a call to remove unwanted persons from a residence on East Street.  When he arrived, he made contact with Thomas Busch and Aaron Dratwinski.  According to the victim, a young female who was in her bedroom at the time of the break, she heard someone ring the doorbell.  The girl did not answer because she was alone.

Busch allegedly entered the house and then entered the girl's bedroom.  He immediately asked her about work to be done on the driveway to the house.  He then told the girl that he must have the wrong house and then went back outside.

The girl contacted her father, who then contacted the Wrentham Police.  Officer Coliflores caught both men on the property and after a brief investigation placed both in custody for various offenses including breaking and entering and tresspassing.

Man Charged With Wrentham Housebreak

On 2-27-2012, Officer Stephen Saulnier took an initial report from a West Street resident whose home had been broken into and robbed.  Thousands of dollars worth of jewelry was taken from the home while the homeowner was at church.

Officer Barry McGrath and Sgt. James Barrett conducted a follow-up investigation on the break, and on April 20th, 2012, identified two men who were involved in the crime.  A warrant was issued for one of the suspects which led to information on the second man, who is currently being held in jail on a separate case.

Area gold buyer photographs helped Officer McGrath and Sgt. Barrett identify the victim.

Here are several other images of jewelry thought to be stolen property.  If you think you can identify anything in these images, please email this department at tips@police.wrentham.ma.us .  It will be important to produce receipts or other documenting proof to establish the property as yours.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Click it or Ticket

Wrentham Police Department Launches Statewide High-Visibility Click It or Ticket Enforcement Mobilization

Massachusetts is Serious about Saving Lives through Seat Belt Use

Wrentham, MA. –In our continuing effort to save lives, the Wrentham Police Department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD), the State Police and over 120 other local departments, is launching a high-visibility seat belt enforcement mobilization called Click It or Ticket.  The message is simple: Massachusetts drivers and passengers should always wear their seat belts or be prepared to face the consequences. 

During the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, which runs from May 14th through June 3rd, thousands of extra state and local police will patrol the state’s streets and highways in a concerted effort to promote and enforce seat belt use with the ultimate goal of saving lives.

Many departments across the state have adopted zero-tolerance policies for seat belt violations signaling the increasing importance of seat belt use. In fact, if pulled over, everyone in the car found not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed.

Seat belt use can be the difference between life and death.  It is the best defense in a crash.  Remember to Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time.

James Anderson

Chief of Police

Babysitter Charged With Stealing From Family

Michelle O'Harte
Sharon, MA

On April 11th a Wrentham family reported property missing from their home.  Sgt. James Barrett conducted an investigation along with the assistance of Off. Barry McGrath that led to the charging of Michelle O'Harte for felony larceny from the family.  O'Harte worked as a babysitter for the family for months, caring for their two small children.  During her employment, she is believed to have stolen hundreds of dollars worth of jewelry and clothing.

Officer McGrath has been working with area gold buyers, collecting information that has led police to suspects in house breaks and other crimes.  O'Harte had sold several items for cash which provided the police with evidence that was instrumental in bringing charges against her.

O'Harte has been charged with felony larceny.  She advertised her services on sittercity.com