Year in Review: The 10 Most-Read Braintree Stories of 2016

2016 is almost in the books and needless to say, the year had some notable stories.

From a well publicized police evidence room scandal to a tragic day in December and an Irish retailer announcing plans to come to the South Shore Plaza, there were plenty of headlines in 2016.

Here are the top 10 stories from the year:

10. Quincy Man Tried to Leave Braintree Store with Stranger's Child: Police

In August, Stephen O'Brien, 47, of Quincy, was charged with kidnapping and resisting arrest after physically resisting officer’s attempts to place him in custody. He was also arrested in a March incident that sent a police officer to the hospital. Read More: Braintree Officer Taken to Hospital After Contact with PCP

9. Man Threatens 'War', Arrested For Allegedly Viewing ISIS-Type Page at Braintree Best Buy

In July, an Ohio man who was allegedly looking at suspicious websites on a computer at Best Buy was taken into custody.

8. Officer Involved Shooting Overnight, Suspect Dead

In March, a Braintree man was shot by police following a domestic dispute. In August, the officer involved in the shooting was cleared of any wrongdoing. Read More: No Charges for Braintree Officers Involved in Fatal Shooting

7. Braintree Prep School Official Charged with Offering Sexual Conduct for a Fee, Human Trafficking

In September, then-CATS Academy Principal Steven Bliss was arrested in Worcester and charged with offering to engage in sex for a fee and human trafficking, according to the Worcester Police Department. The arrest came after a weeks-long investigation that ended with Bliss allegedly meeting with undercover officers.

6. Brawl Reported Near South Shore Plaza

In April, reports came in for a brawl near the South Shore Plaza. Despite reports of shots fired, police found no shell casings.

5. Emotions Run High at Braintree Fatal Hit-and-Run Arraignment

In December, emotions from both the family of the victim of a fatal hit-and-run at the Weymouth Landing and the man who police say drove the vehicle ran high Monday morning in Quincy District Court. Read More: Suspect in Fatal Hit and Run Arrested

4. Diver Killed While Inspecting Braintree Water Tower

In December, David Scott died inside the Lincoln Street water tower after an equipment failure caused him to lose oxygen.

3. Irish Retail Giant Coming to South Shore Plaza

European fashion retailer Primark announced it will open a location inside the South Shore Plaza. Primark will be coming to the shopping center in 2017, according to Simon, the mall's owner.

2. Victim of Fatal Weymouth Crash Identified as Archbishop Williams Student

A 15-year-old Weymouth student who attended Archbishop Williams High School died in an April crash after she was ejected from the vehicle.

1. An Evidence Room in Disarray

In August, it was reported that an outside investigator performed an audit the police department's evidence room. After the findings were revealed, Mayor Joseph Sullivan called the audit "deeply troubling and unacceptable."

Below is a collection of articles from Braintree Patch’s coverage of the story:

• Report Shows Braintree Police Missing Evidence, Could Impact Cases
• Missing Braintree Police Evidence Found in Officer's Home: Report
• Braintree Police Evidence Scandal Leads to First Dropped Cases
• Braintree Police Audit Report: Thousands of Pieces of Evidence Missing
• Four More Cases Dismissed Due to Braintree Police Evidence Audit
• Drug Charges to be Dropped Due to Braintree Police Evidence Issues
• Mayor Requests Attorney General's Office to Review Braintree Police Evidence Room
• More Cases Dropped Due to Mishandled Evidence at Braintree Police Department
• Police Chief Jenkins Announces Retirement Amidst Evidence Scandal
• Braintree Deputy Police Chief Placed on Leave
• Former Stoughton Police Chief Named Interim Braintree Chief
• Sullivan Gives Update on Police Evidence Room
• 34 Years Later, Chief Jenkins Enters Retirement
• New Braintree Police Evidence Room Among Approved Capital Items

Image: File photo