Prostitution in Newton, More Copper Thefts: Police Logs

NEWTON, MA — Each week the Newton Police Department responds to a number of calls. These are taken from the public incident reports.

Friday, March 23

Scratched: Someone reported his Mercedes was scratched while it was parked on Riverview Avenue. Police reported they will be seeking a hearing for Malicious damage to a motor vehicle against a 22-year-old Newton woman.

Saturday, March 24

Lock your cars: A Cleveland Street resident called to report that he left his car in the driveway overnight unlocked. He said he noticed this morning when he got in, someone had gone through it.

Shoplifter: Someone at Mr. Sid's called to report an older man was just in the store, browsing suits and went into the dressing room to try them on. When he came out he asked if tax was included in the price, then told employees he'd be back to pay for the clothes. After he left they noticed there were two empty hangers in the dressing room but the coats were missing. The employee described the man as white, in his 60s, about 5'9, 200 pounds with wire frame glasses and wearing dark pants and a navy jacket.

Arrest, vandalism: Police arrested Joseph Steinberg, 20, of Newton on Lincoln Street and charged him with malicious destruction of property over $250.

Sunday, March 25

Porch pirate: A Walnut Street resident called to report a man walked up to her porch and took a recently delivered Amazon package. She described him as of unknown race, about 5'9 wearing a white sweatshirt and driving a Black Honda CRV.

Arrested after snoozing: A woman jogger stopped a police officer to point out a man asleep at the wheel at the red light at the West Rotary near the Mass Pike ramp toward Washington Street. The van was running and in drive. The police officer said he attempted to wake the driver, but it took a number of attempts. Police arrested Demesvar Michelle Jones Jr, 31, of Quincy, and charged him with operating after Suspension Subsequent Offense.

Wednesday, March 28

Bike Stolen: A Harding Street resident reported his bicycle had been taken from his backyard the day before. The bicycle is described as a 1971 Raleigh Sport black in color, unknown serial number. The bicycle has identifiable characteristics such as leather handlebar grips with a bell, a torn seat, and a large black basket
above the front wheel.

Copper Theft: Someone from the Parish of St. Paul on Walnut Street reported she realized that all 10 of the copper gutter downspouts to the Parish had been stolen sometime overnight. There was also some damage to the front of the gutter due to the suspect(s) taking the downspouts.

Thursday, March 29

Another Copper Theft: Someone from the Boston Psychoanalytic Society on Herrick Road called to report several copper down spouts were stolen over the weekend, ripped from the side of the building also causing damage to the remaining copper.

Arrested, Prostitution: Police arrested Juhua Chen, 41, of Flushing, NY for solicitation of sex for a fee on Adams Street.

Friday, March 30

Traffic stop turns into drug bust: Police pulled over a car that turned in front of them on Center Street after running the plates and finding out they belonged to someone who was wanted. Police arrested Jose Medina-Perez, 36, of Brockton on a warrant out of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. During the handcuffing process, police found a bag of white powdery substance in his pocket, and hidden in the rim of his hat. He also had a white pill and and empty bag with white powder residue. In addition to the warrant out for his arrest Medina-Perez will be charged with possessing Class B and Class E drugs.

Arrest for....: Police arrested Ryan M. Newman, 35, of E Watertown. They did not say what they charged him with after the arrest in the report but they did indicate they issued a written warning for failing to stop at a stop sign. Police said Newman blew through the stop sign as he came off of I-90 just after midnight. They said he also didn't stop for police for at least a quarter mile. Police said when they did stop him they smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside the car and they had the opinion that he was under the influence of alcohol. No word if they gave him a sobriety test or if he was arrested for OUI. He was issued a written warning for failing to stop at a stop sign.

Saturday, March 31

Shoplifters: Someone reported a shoplifting at T.J. Maxx in Newton and that the suspects left the area in a black car. The store's loss prevention specialist was following the suspect vehicle. The information was
put out to the State Police, whom in turn informed Brookline Police, who eventually stopped the
vehicle. Police arrested Monet Deborah Collins,27, of Chelsea with Larceny over $250.00. Shawn Lorenzo Jenkins, 46, of Taunton was charged with Larceny over $250.00 and Operating a Motor vehicle after suspension.

Warrant Arrest: Police arrested Pamela Lynn Hogdon, 49, of Newton on a warrant for violating probation.

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