Break and Enter Suspects Charged

PRESS RELEASE

Submitted by Lt. Det. William McGrath

Wrentham Police arrested four suspects following an investigation conducted by Detective Barry McGrath. 

Connor Casper age 19 & Tina Sack age 19 of Norfolk, Massachusetts were arrested along with Brett Frigon age 20 & Justin Perry age 24 of Wrentham, Massachusetts.  The four defendants have been charged with Larceny from a person over the age of 65, Larceny from a building and Conspiracy.

The four suspects are accused of befriending an elderly male Wrentham resident who police believe was targeted because of his age and vulnerability. 

Police allege one or more of the suspects distracted the victim on the first floor of his home while the other suspects snuck upstairs and stole jewelry belonging to the man’s deceased wife.  

The four suspects reportedly sold the stolen jewelry at the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro at a “Cash for Gold” store and used the proceeds  to support illegal drug activity.

Police believe the suspects may be involved in other housebreaks that include west Wrentham and Norfolk homes.

Anyone having information to assist with this investigation or any other suspicious activity is asked to call the Wrentham Police Department at 508-384-6915.

The Wrentham Police remind citizens of the following helpful information:

WPD cannot over emphasize the importance of calling 911 without hesitation when suspicious activity is observed. Citizens should not delay calling 911 because they are uncertain of how important their call is. WPD would rather respond to a call that turns out to be nothing than miss an opportunity to prevent a crime and capture a criminal.

Citizens, in particular elderly residents and children, should avoid allowing strangers into their home or engaging strangers at their door for long periods of time. Be aware of what is happening around you while strangers engage you in conversation. Make observations about them and their vehicle, particularly plate numbers. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Trust your instinct and call 911 immediately.

If a stranger knocks on your door, DO NOT pretend you’re not home and hope they’ll go away. If you don’t feel safe opening the door, call out from behind a door or window that you’re busy and can’t answer. Suspects knock on doors hoping no one will answer. If no one answers, they will break into your house with you in it. Call 911 if you’re the least bit suspicious.

DO NOT keep valuables, jewelry, sentimental items in your Master bedroom. Suspects who break into your home target the Master bedroom first and search for these items. Their goal is to get in and out as quickly as possible before police can respond. Often, suspects ignore other rooms completely. Be creative. Hide your valuables in other rooms and other parts of the house.

Mobile Emergency Services

 

 

Riverside Community Care

The Help You Need Close To Home

 

Mobile Emergency Services

A better alternative to the Emergency Room

 

Our goal is to see you within 45 minutes of your phone call, whenever possible!

 

781-769-8674 or 800-529-5077

 

We provide 24/7 face-to-face response if you are experiencing a crisis, such as:

·        You are feeling like hurting yourself or someone else

·        You struggle with substance abuse issues but do not need medical clearance (you are not currently intoxicated)

·        You are struggling with signs and symptoms of your illness and need support or more intense services in order to resolve your crisis and/or remain in your community

 

We accept all insurances including no insurance. While on the phone with you, we determine your insurance type and then figure out where to meet you and when. We have walk-in availability at 190 Lenox St, Norwood from 8AM-8PM or 15 Beacon Ave, Norwood, MA from 8PM-8AM.

 

We will often have a Peer Specialist join the evaluation. This is a person who is in recovery and has navigated the mental health or substance abuse systems. This staff person may be able to understand what you are going through!

 

Having an evaluation has many positive benefits! Our goals are to:

·        Reduce your emergency room visits for mental health reasons

·        Reduce the number of nights out of your home (less inpatient or residential nights)

·        Rapidly link you to treatment services

·        Increase your confidence in handling crisis situations

 

Exceptions to being seen in the community are:

·        If you are grossly intoxicated

·        If you cannot remain in control and manage your anger (if you will become violent toward self or others)

·        If you have a medical emergency (For example: you have overdosed, have uncontrollable bleeding, serious burns or injuries, unmanaged diabetes, chest pain, etc)

In these cases, please do call 911 or go to the ER!

 

We serve people based on where they are during the crisis. We serve:

 

Canton, Dedham, Dover, Foxboro, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Newton, Norfolk,

Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Wrentham

Meals on Wheels

** Email to Police and Fire Chiefs **

Unfortunately, there will be no meals on wheels today (10-29-2012) for Wrentham seniors. They were supposed to receive a meal plus an extra meal pack for Tuesday today. But HESSCO was concerned about sending volunteers out on the road today and has canceled this plan. Some received emergency packs on Friday, but not all of them have those. There are extra emergency packs which are located in my office at the Senior Center. Please let me know if you feel you need those packs.


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Hurricane Sandy: A message from Police Chief James Anderson

Friday, October 26, 2012

Hurricane Sandy: A message from Police Chief James Anderson

The Town of Wrentham, including the Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department and Department of Public Works have begun to prepare for the eventual arrival of Hurricane Sandy which is currently projected to hit the Massachusetts area sometime this coming Monday, October 29, 2012.
Meteorologists are calling this hurricane one of the most significant weather events to hit the east coast of the United States in decades. They are recommending that people begin taking action immediately to prepare for significant damage caused by high wind and flooding rain.

The Wrentham Police Department encourages residents to begin taking steps immediately to prepare for a significant weather event. Flooding has the potential to have aggravated effects if residents lose power for a length of time and/or have to leave their homes. The loss of power may prevent residents from operating pumps and other electrical items in their home.

Residents should ensure that they have the following items at a minimum:
1. Battery operated flashlights
2. Battery operated radio
3. Extra batteries
4. Fresh drinking water (water bottles)
5. Cell phones charged
6. A “Go Bag” prepared with necessary items (clean clothes, medicine, water, etc) in the event you have to quickly leave your residence.
7. Vehicle filled with gasoline
8. If you have a generator or pump, make sure it is in working order.
9. Unless evacuated, please stay in your homes for safety reasons.
10. Additionally, residents should begin taking in outdoor furniture, umbrellas and any other items that may be damaged by the storm.
 
In the event of an emergency during the storm, residents should call 9-1-1. For all other inquiries or to report property damage, please contact the Police Department at 508-384-2121 to speak with a police dispatcher.

 Weather Channel Forcast

Public Safety Training Exercise

PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING EXERCISE

OCTOBER 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

On October 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. the Wrentham Police Department will be hosting an active shooter – critical incident response training at the Wrentham Premium Village Outlet Mall, One Premium Outlet Blvd, Wrentham, Mass.

 

The Wrentham Police and Fire Departments, working in collaboration with mall management and security will be joined by MetroLec SWAT (Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council Special Weapons & Response Team) in responding to and neutralizing an active shooter – critical incident scenario. 

 

Additional resources from the Massachusetts State Police Foxboro Barracks and State Police Med Flight have been requested.

 

The public should be advised that there could potentially be some temporary traffic delays as emergency equipment is positioned.  There will be a large number of public safety vehicles in the area of the Wrentham Premium Village Outlet Mall and several parking lots within the mall property.  Emergency vehicles may be activating their lights and sirens sporadically throughout this training.  

 

The Wrentham Premium Village Outlet Mall will open for normal shopping hours on the day of the exercise, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

Members of the media interested in attending the exercise should arrive to the designated media parking area at the Wrentham Premium Village Outlet Mall by 6:30 p.m.  Signage will direct those attending to the proper location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Police Blog of 2012

Wrentham Police Department Blog

wrenpd.blogspot.com The Wrentham Police Department Blog provides current criminal activity notifications and public safety information that can be accessed through any number of social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Nixle. In other words, it’s a comprehensive tool that seamlessly connects the community to the agency’s policing and public safety effort. Through social media channels, the WPDB is able to immediately notify its followers when there is breaking news or information. It has directly contributed to crime solving, locating missing persons, and community crime prevention efforts, and now serves as a model for surrounding public safety agencies who find it difficult to maintain and manage web pages.

The Wrentham Police Blog was selected as a Top Police Blog of 2012 by videosurveillance.com.

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

Wrentham Police Department Hosts Autism Training

From the Desk of Chief Anderson:

“I am especially proud to host this Autism training session. Having served as the Wrentham Police D.A.R.E. Officer during most of my career, I truly value the importance of the children in our community and in our society. As a society, we’ve come a long way to educate ourselves and our own children about people who live with a variety of so-called disabilities or disorders. As Police Officers, we frequently respond to calls on a moments notice, interacting with adults and children, sometimes not realizing they have a disability or disorder, or worse, mistaking their behavior as anti-social or resistant. This Autism training will educate and raise the awareness of my officers and others who attend with the goal unfortunate misunderstandings may be avoided.  It is my hope this training will also enlighten all of us about this Always Unique Totally Interesting Sometimes Mysterious disorder.”

– Jim Anderson

This autism awareness presentation is presented by ALEC (Autism Law Enforcement Coalition).  For more information, please see their website here ALEC 

All Wrentham Police Officers will be receiving this training in order to better serve the Wrentham community.

Shoplifting and Chase Leads to Arrest

Teandra Rose, age 50, of 199 Pavilion Ave., Providence RI

Howard Watson, age 54, of 199 Pavilion Ave., Providence, RI

On March 17, 2012 at about 5:30 p.m., Wrentham Police Officers on detail
at the Wrentham Mall were notified of a shoplifting at the True Religion
Store. Information received indicated a male suspect, later identified
as Howard Watson, age 54, of 199 Pavilion Ave., Providence, RI, entered
True Religion carrying a Nike bag. A female accomplice, later identified
as Teandra Rose, age 50, of 199 Pavilion Ave., Providence RI, was
reported to be with him.



Watson was observed crouching next to a display filling his bag with
jeans. When confronted by an employee, Watson dumped the bag on the
floor, pushed the employee out of the way and fled to the parking lot.
Detail Officer Ed Fitzgerald who was on foot at the time, spotted the
suspects as they ran into the parking lot, entered a green Oldsmobile
Cutlass and sped away toward the exit.



Detail Officer Robert O'Connell who was in a cruiser gave chase onto Rt.
495 where he stopped the vehicle, assisted by Det. Lt. Bill McGrath and
Mass. State Police. Both suspects were placed under arrest and ten pairs
of jeans were recovered from the car.



Follow up investigation and review of video surveillance from the store,
revealed a total of 31 pairs of jeans, estimated value about $6000.00,
were stolen over two separate visits within about an hour of each other.
The suspects used a large plastic Nike shopping bag lined heavily with
duct tape, a common method employed by booster gangs that frequent the
mall. The duct tape is meant to defeat the inventory control system;
however, the tactic frequently fails because of enhanced technology.



Both suspects were charged with shoplifting. Mr. Watson was also charged
with assault & battery on the employee. Ms. Rose was additionally
charged for providing a false name to police.

Child Pornography Investigation Details

Edward Bourget of Blackberry Hill Rd., Wrentham
Charged with Child Porn Offenses

On February 29, 2012, Edward Bourget, Date of Birth 09/08/1963,  was arrested at his Wrentham home as several Wrentham Police Officers, MetroLEC Officers and agents from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security (ICE/HIS) executed a search warrant related to a Child Pornography Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.  

This investigation was initiated several months ago when an agent of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office working undercover established contact with the suspect via a web site called Motherless. "Motherless-Go Ahead She Isn't Looking" describes themselves as being a free file host where anything legal goes. It has a live chat, classifieds and message boards including an anonymous confession section.

On September 21, 2011, the suspect allegedly responded to the undercover classified ad on the Motherless web site. The undercover ad suggested a 14 year old female was being offered to engage in sexual activities. The suspect allegedly responded to the ad and began exchanging e-mails with the undercover agent that included plans for the suspect to travel to Florida to have sex with the child. The suspect followed through with the travel to Florida in February 2012, however; the planned meeting never took place.

During numerous e-mail exchanges between the undercover and the suspect, the suspect allegedly e-mailed images that are considered to be child pornography.

When the search warrant executed on February 29, 2012, evidence was seized including cameras, computers and other electronics that are being forensically examined at the Metrolec Computer Crime Laboratory in Norwood.

Mr. Bourget was charged with Disseminating Child Pornography, specifically material that contains representations and/or reproductions of children, under the age of eighteen, in a state of nudity and Possession of Child Pornography. He was arraigned the same day and bail was set at $10,000.000 cash. Mr. Bourget was bailed on March 1, 2012 with conditions that include wearing a GPS monitor; orders to stay away from schools and playgrounds and stay away from children under 18 years of age.

This investigation is continuing.

Stolen Drain Grates

Warrant sought for the arrest of Joshua Minot of Woonsocket, Rhode Island for the theft of several storm drain grates in the west end area of Wrentham. An investigation was conducted by Sgt. James Barrett and Officer Barry R. McGrath on January 24, 2012 in which a confession was obtained by Minot’s accomplice implicating both in the theft and sale of the storm drains to Allied Recycling in Walpole, Mass.

There have been more than 15 storm grates stolen in little more than a month in Wrentham.  The person charged in this investigation may not account for all of the thefts.  The Wrentham Police are asking that residents remain vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and report it to the Wrentham Police at 508-384-2121.

Stolen Car Report Leads to an Arrest

On January 16th, 2012, Sgt James Barrett took a report from an indivudual claiming to have left his 1997 Jeep at Armitage Auto Yard on South Street in Wrentham to have work completed.  After paying for some repairs, the owner of the Jeep agreed to leave the vehicle at the Armitage lot to have more repairs done over time.

The owner returned to Armitage to collect his Jeep but was told the Jeep was no longer there.  After filing a stolen vehicle report with the Wrentham Police, Sgt. James Barrett and Officer Barry McGrath conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Peter Armitage for stealing the Jeep and scrapping it for cash at Allied Recycling in Walpole, MA.

Stolen Property From Wrentham Developmental Center Leads To Arrest Warrant

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Wrentham Developmental Center employee Ryan Fennessey, age 21.  Officer Barry R. McGrath conducted the investigation which resulted in a confession by Fennessey for stealing a snow blower from the property in Wrentham and selling it on E-Bay. 

Car Crash Fatality

December 30, 2011

Wrentham P.D. Press Release

Fatal Car Crash

Thurston Street

On December 30, 2011 at approximately 1:15 a.m., Wrentham Police Sgt. George Labonte and Officer Scott Ellis responded to a motor vehicle accident on

Thurston St.

near the intersection of

Myrtle St.

When they arrived, they discovered a 1998 Buick Century, Mass. Reg. 44KE72 had left the roadway and struck several trees in the heavily wooded area. Two occupants were entrapped in the vehicle.

Wrentham Fire Rescue and Foxboro Fire Rescue responded at which time the operator of the vehicle, Wendy Eichenger, age 49, of

80 Main Street, Foxborough, MA

was extricated from transported to Rhode Island Hospital via med flight. The passenger, Robert David, age 50, of 1 Lake Street, Wrentham, MA was also extricated from the car and transported to Norwood Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

State Police Accident Reconstruction was notified and responded to the scene. The accident remains under investigation by the Wrentham Police Department. No charges have been filed at the time of this press release.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is requested to contact Detective Lt. William McGrath or Sgt. George Labonte at the Wrentham Police Department, telephone number 508-384-6950.