Police Log: Car Lift Theft, Drug Arrest, Man Found in YMCA After Midnight

The has an anonymous tip line: (781) 665-TIPS (8477). The tip line is sponsored by the Melrose Police and the .

Theft of Stolen Car Lift Has Potential New Lead

Monday, March 7, 3:48 p.m. The owner of Tremont Street Garage, 194 Tremont St., reported that he had confronted men who were taking scrap metal from behind the garage, Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau said.

The men left in the same type of vehicle--a green Ford pickup truck--seen by nearby business owners in December 2010, when Tremont Street Garage was closed for one week and a car lift was stolen from the business, DeCroteau said. Neighboring business owners had reported seeing a similar vehicle pull up to the business then and place the car lift in the back of the pickup.

"I can’t confirm the value (of the lift), but I can state that the owner--he has two of the lifts back there--he had sold them for $500 each," Decroteau said. The theft remains under investigation.

Ongoing Surveillance Yields Marijuana Arrest

Thursday, March 10, 5:58 p.m. Two Melrose Police detectives working an ongoing surveillance and drug investigation around Melrose saw several people in the area of the , including a suspicious vehicle they followed from the depot to , DeCroteau said.

Based on several interviews, the detectives ended up on Circuit Street, where they watched what they believe to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction between two men, DeCroteau said. The detectives approached the men and upon interviewing them, saw what appeared to be a bag containing marijuana protruding out of one of the men's left pocket.

The detectives arrested Ryan P. Maguire, 17, 47 Berwick St., Apt. 3L, Melrose, on charges of possession of a Class D drug with intent to distribute and carrying a dangerous weapon, a knife with a spring-activated opening device, DeCroteau said.

Homeless Man Says He Was Inadvertently Locked Inside Melrose Y

Friday, March 11, 1:27 a.m. A worker arrived at the on Main Street for overnight cleaning and found a man still inside the building. The man told Melrose Police officers that he was a homeless person and "had been inadvertently locked in the YMCA, was his explanation," DeCroteau said. The man had a photo copy of a valid New Hampshire driver's license.

DeCroteau said the man was taken out of the building and advised not to trespass again, and that the Y's management would be contacted to let them know the situation, should the man return in the future.

Jewelry Stolen in House Break

Tuesday, March 8, 5:39 p.m. A Sylvan Street resident reported she arrived home to discover damage to her side door and her apartment had been "ransacked," DeCroteau said. Several items of jewlery were missing and the resident is still compiling a list to give to police. Melrose Police detectives processed the scene, checking for possible fingerprints, the breaking and entering remains under investigation.

Other Incidents

Monday, March 7

11:44 a.m. Caller from Day Street reports his tires slashed overnight.

2:35 p.m. Report that a traffic light was blown over at Main and Sylvan Streets. DPW notified.

4:50 p.m. Suspected drug activity investigated by detectives.

5:56 p.m. Larceny from a vehicle on Willow Street.

10:55 a.m. Walk-in report from Myrtle Street of credit card fraud.

Tuesday, March 8

5:31 p.m. Walk-in report from West Wyoming Avenue of threats.

Wednesday, March 9

10:47 a.m. Walk-in report from Levi Gould House on West Foster Street of past larceny.

11:48 a.m. Theft reported from Green Street.

4:22 p.m. Stoneham Police reported domestic disturbance in and out of a car on Orris Street.

Thursday, March 10

7:18 a.m. Caller states she found a gun in her yard on Lebanon Street. Upon closer inspection, turned out to be an airgun.

6:38 p.m. Caller reported larceny from Linwood Avenue.

7:18 p.m. Caller from West Wyoming Avenue reports past break.

Friday, March 11

5:47 p.m. Walk-in report from Main Street of suspicious activity, possible ID fraud.

Saturday, March 12

10:22 a.m. Car tire slashed on Day Street.

9:04 p.m. Caller reports youths inside vacant home on Whitman Avenue. Officers discover youths inside home, including former occupant. Property owners notified and each person picked by a parent at the home.

Sunday, March 13

4:28 p.m. Domestic disturbance on Lynde Street.

4:29 p.m. Caller reported the back window of their car on Cedar Park was broken with a rock.

4:38 p.m. Caller reported a domestic on Grove Street. Summons issued for assault and battery and intimidating a witness.

Other Arrests and Summonses

A 32-year-old Lawrence woman was placed under warrant arrest on Thursday, March 10.

A 14-year-old was issued a summons on Thursday, March 10 on the charge of assault and battery.

Mark Silverstein, 22, 49 Whitman Ave., Melrose, was arrested on Friday, March 11 on the charge of possession of a Class B drug (prescription narcotic in pill form).

A 29-year-old Melrose man was issued a summons on Sunday, March 13 on charges of assault and battery and intimidating a witness.