Two Arrested After Prostitution Investigation, String of Break-Ins Reported: Brookline Crime

BROOKLINE, MA – The following are excerpts from the Brookline Police Crime Blog:

Wednesday, August 10

• In July, an investigation was opened regarding a residence on Park Street after police received several calls to the property. During the investigation, ads were discovered on the internet, leading police to believe the home may be used as a location for prostitution. Police conducted surveillance on the residence, working with Boston's Regional Intelligence Center and Boston's Fugitive Unit.

Last Wednesday, two individuals were arrested; one, the resident of Park Street, faces warrant charges that include permitting prostitution. The second individual was arrested and charged with domestic assault and battery, human trafficking and deriving support from a prostitute.

• The Brookline Police Warrant Apprehension Unit, joined by the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit, Massachusetts Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and officers from the Boston Police D-14 Anti-Crime Unit, served warrants for possession of a Class A drug and distribution of a Class A drug, threat to commit a crime and criminal harassment, and larceny over $250.

• A Beacon Street resident reported a breaking and entering with larceny at 5:33 p.m. Police observed that someone had used force to enter the apartment through the front door. A camera and multiple lenses were stolen.

• Officers responded to a breaking and entering on Boylston Street at 7:13 p.m. Police believe someone entered the front door of the apartment building and used a tool to pry open the apartment door. The caller said the apartment appeared to have been rummaged through, and his laptop and checkbook were stolen. The suspect had to open a small safe to steal the checkbook.

• A breaking and entering was reported at an apartment on Beacon Street at 9:53 p.m. The caller said although the front door was locked when she got home, she saw that boxes and drawers appeared to have been tampered with. She told police she was unsure if any items were missing. The rear door of the apartment was unlocked when she arrived home and there was no forced entry to the door.

Thursday, August 11

• A Short Street resident reported a strange odor in his apartment. Officers had responded to the complex a few hours earlier for the same call and residents had been advised. Firefighters told the resident the odor was likely coming from renovations being made to the building. While talking to the resident, they noticed the door to the adjacent apartment appeared to have been forced in, but had been secure when they previously responded to the complex. Inside, varnish appeared to be freshly spilled in the bathroom.

Police spoke with the caller, who at first denied having anything to do with the damage and avoided answering questions. Later, police said, details of his story changed. In order to gain entry to the building, one would need to be buzzed in, and officers observed no damage to the front door. The damage to the apartment door appeared to have been made using a fire extinguisher. The caller was placed under arrest for malicious destruction and damage of property, as well as breaking and entering in the nighttime.

Friday, August 12

• An officer was conducting an unmarked patrol in the area of Griggs Road and Griggs Terrace, when he noticed two males acting suspiciously. One of the individuals appeared to walk down a driveway on Griggs Road. About three minutes later, the officer noticed the individual emerge in the area of Washington Street and jump into a blue Honda Accord. The vehicle headed toward Beacon, while the officer followed it at a safe distance. The car took a sharp left onto Hancock Street and attempted to exit the dead end, at which point the officer conducted a traffic stop.

During the stop, a resident on Griggs Road called to report a break-in at their home. The address was the same residence the officer had observed the male minutes before.

The residents told police they were home and heard noises coming from upstairs. They yelled, and the noises stopped. After noting signs of a break-in upstairs they called 9-1-1. The subject at the motor vehicle stop was taken into custody and faces charges of breaking and entering in the day time. Police are searching for the second subject seen on Griggs Road.

Saturday, August 13

• A shoplifting was reported at a store on Harvard Street at 10 a.m. The store manager told police she saw a male subject place several items into his shopping cart and leather bag. She said she then saw the male go through the checkout lane, only paying for the items in the cart. He left the store without paying for the items in the bag. Police conducted a search of the area but could not find the subject.