Crime

Police: Murder investigation led to massive real-estate fraud ring

adamg — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:51:04 -0400

Two lawyers and a number of mortgage-company employees were indicted today on charges they scammed mortgage companies out of $10.6 million on Boston-area properties (press release from the US Attorney's office).

Thug cop gets 26 years

adamg — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:12:04 -0400

Kiko Pulido sentenced today in federal court, after pleading guilty last fall to being the ringleader of a coke-distribution and protection ring.

Commissioner Ed Davis's statement:

Today's sentencing of Roberto Pulido closes a sad chapter for the Boston Police Department. Our department is comprised of officers who find Pulido's actions despicable and the punishment fitting. The resilience of our agency is evident in the great work being done officers every day resulting in across the board reductions in crime statistics. The Boston Police pledge to work closely with the community to earn their trust and repair the damage done by this incident.

Police have said investigations continue.

T police: Green Line groper grabbed

adamg — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:12:13 -0400

A Romanian doctor in town for a medical conference was arrested last night on charges he groped a 15-year-old girl on the Green Line heading inbound from Boylston Street, according to the Suffolk County DA's office:

Transit Police responded to the station last night at about 7:45 to find the victim visibly shaken and crying. She reported that she felt the man's hands on her buttocks as she had her back to him – a statement corroborated by three independent witnesses who also spoke with Transit Police.

Virgil Baloescu, 60, pleaded innocent at his arraignment this morning in Boston Muncipal Court. He was ordered to surrender his passport and was held in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, the DA's office says.

Baloescu is listed as a doctor at the National Institute of Aeronautic and Space Medicine in Bucharest, specializing in neurology and psychiatry. He was apparently here for a meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association at the Back Bay Sheraton.

Seen this dude?

adamg — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:58:38 -0400

It's the face of a suspect in three unsolved sexual attacks along the Esplanade and in South Boston last year, officials say.

State and Boston police and the Suffolk County DA's office released the sketch today of a man they say attacked a woman jogging on the Esplanade around 11 p.m. on July 29, 2007 and whom they believe is involved in a similar attack on June 16, 2007 near the Esplanade and on July 29, 2006 at Moakley Park in South Boston.

Each victim described her assailant as a clean-shaven African-American male in his mid-20s to mid-30s, standing 5'8" to 5'10". At the time of the attacks, he had a medium to large build and a bald head.

Officials say they are also looking for some specific people they believe may have witnessed the Back Bay attacker: A lone male present near an Esplanade footbridge around 11:15 the night of the Esplanade attack; A pair of bicyclists wearing helmets and cycling gear who were walking their bikes near the footbridges between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. on July 29, 2007 - whose presence prompted the attacker assailant to put his arm around the woman as if they were a couple; and a man and woman, both well-dressed and in their late 20s, who were near Joe's American Bar and Grill at the intersection of Dartmouth and Newbury streets between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m. that same day.

Info? Call the State Police at 617-727-6780 or the Boston Police CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS - or text the word "tip" to CRIME (27463).

Here's the thing about laptops

adamg — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:59:24 -0400

If you insist on taking yours into a Chinatown restaurant and then using it as you sit at the bar, don't be surprised if it disappears when you leave it there to visit the restroom. And then be thankful if the alleged thieves are even dumber than you are.

Also click on the link to read about a polite purse snatcher in the South End:

... According to the victim, she was walking along when the suspect came up from behind her, tapped her on the shoulder and stated, "Excuse me .. can I have this?" At this point, the suspect grabbed her purse and took off.

Robbed at gunpoint in Brookline

adamg — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:15:24 -0400

Brookline Police report a couple getting out of their car on Prince Street (map) around 9 p.m. yesterday were held up:

She states that when she and her fiance returned home a man approached them while they were in their vehicle and demanded money and jewelry from them. The victim described the suspect as a black male wearing a white baseball cap, a green and white striped shirt, long jean shorts, and sneakers.

Also click on the link to see how Brookline Police used a Web site that features surveillance photos of alleged crooks to put two and two together and arrest a suspect in two local bank holdups.

Lightbulb goes on over slob's head - when guy throws it at him, police say

adamg — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:03:36 -0400

The Transcript reports on a little domestic disturbance on Johnswood Road in Roslindale this past Friday:

... Theodore Sullivan, 51, of 36 Johnswood Road, Roslindale, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a lamp) after he allegedly attacked a person known to him during an argument over the microwave oven not being cleaned. When Sullivan found the dirty appliance, he reportedly threw a ceramic lamp at the head of the person he believed was at fault. ...

Also click to read about some alleged trash from Norwood causing trouble in Roslindale - police checking up on a report of a guy casing houses on Metropolitan Avenue arrested the man when he proved unable to produce the tools needed to install the carpet he said he was putting in.

Fowl play suspected in Somerville disappearance

adamg — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:28:01 -0400

Resident refuses to believe family member simply flew the coop.

Store 24 held up by guy wearing a t-shirt around his head

adamg — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:50:48 -0400

A white T-shirt, to be exact. Cambridge Police report the Store 24 at 321 Broadway was held up shortly after 3 a.m. today by a polite black man, 24-30, about 6 feet tall, who was also wearing a black button-down shirt and black shorts.

At least Roslindale hasn't had any shootings lately

adamg — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:31:20 -0400

Suspicious Fires Popping Up In Roslindale: Three overnight fires in Roslindale Square. With some raw footage of pickup in flames on Poplar Street (by Adams Park?).