OFFICERS IN EAST BOSTON ARREST TWO SUSPECTS DIGGING OUT A CAR BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL ITAt about 4:29pm, on Monday, December 22, 2008, officers from Area A-7 (East Boston) responded to a radio call for two males attempting to steal a motor vehicle in the area of 616 Saratoga Street. On arrival, officers located two individuals in the process of shoveling out a car. When asked who owned the car, one of the suspects stated, “I don’t know. Some guy paid us $10.00 to dig it out.” When officers looked inside the motor vehicle, officers observed damage to both the ignition and steering column. Officers noted that both of the would-be shovelers appeared to be nervous. When officers asked one of the suspects to explain his nervousness, the suspect stated, “I have an unloaded gun and some weed on me.” A search of the suspect enabled officers to locate and seize an undisclosed amount of what appeared to be marijuana and a firearm. Witnesses say they observed the suspects break into the car, start the engine and then attempt to free it from the snow. While still on scene, officers were approached by the true owner of the car. According to the owner of the car, no one was given permission to use the car nor did he pay anyone to dig it out.
Officers arrested Azer Sarotic, 18, of Melrose and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Attempted Auto Theft and Possession of a Class D Drug (marijuana). Officers also arrested Luis Estrada, 18, of East Boston and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Attempted Auto Theft.
CAR OWNER CATCHES CAR THIEF IN THE ACT IN ROXBURY
At about 6:19pm, on Monday, December 22, 2008, officers from Area B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a radio call for a person breaking into a car in the area of 30 Waumbeck Street. On arrival, officers observed two individuals involved in a verbal altercation. Officers spoke to the victim who stated that he was walking towards his motor vehicle when he observed an individual, unknown to him, inside his car. When the victim approached the suspect, the victim says the suspect had in his possession several items that belonged to him including an expensive pair of sunglasses. Officers arrested Ron Willoughby, 47, of Dorchester and charged him with Breaking & Entering a Motor Vehicle.
FAILURE TO EXCHANGE PAPERS LANDS ONE IN POLICE CUSTODY
At about 1:58am, on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, officers from Area B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a radio call for a motor vehicle accident in the area of Stoughton Street and Columbia Road. On arrival, officers spoke to witnesses who stated that they observed one motor vehicle back up into another motor vehicle. According to witnesses, when the two parties attempted to exchange papers, the operator who caused the accident refused to do so, stating, “It’s only $500.00 worth of damage.” Officers observed damage to the hood and front end of the victim’s motor vehicle. Prior to driving off, the operator dropped off a passenger. When officers attempted to get information about the operator from the passenger, the passenger pretended not to know the suspect. A warrant check on the passenger showed that she did, in fact, have a warrant for her arrest. Officers arrested a 26 year-old female from Haverhill pursuant to the arrest warrant.
