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.