Stoughton Year-in-Review: The Top 10 Police and Fire Stories of 2015

When it came to police and fire activity in Stoughton, 2015 was an interesting year.

The most read stories include the evacuation of IKEA, two men who were charged with attempted murder and kidnapping, a local high school grad turned terrorist, and the former housing director admitting to stealing pills from a woman in her 90s.

Based on pageviews, these were the most read police and fire stories on Stoughton Patch in 2015.

1. Two Stoughton Men Charged with Attempted Murder, Kidnapping - In March, four people, including two men from Stoughton, were arraigned in Wrentham District Court on kidnapping, attempted murder, and assault charges. Xavier Frederick, 24 and Leonard Ward, 24 from Stoughton pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and armed robbery
2. Human Remains Discovered in Stoughton - In August, the district attorney’s office has confirmed that the remains found in Stoughton are those of Ilya Lastovkin, who lived near Memorial Drive and disappeared nearly six years ago.
3. Stoughton IKEA Evacuated - In August, the store was evacuated after a bomb threat was called into the store. A store employee would later confess to the threat.
4. Feds Dismantle Boston Gang with Stoughton Connection - In June, a notorious Boston gang with ties to Stoughton was effectively dismantled with the arrest of 41 members. According to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Matthew C. Knight, the group allegedly used A-1 Autobody Collision on Willow Street as a front for “violent robbery and drug trafficking” operations.
5. Stoughton HS Grad Turned Terrorist Killed in Iraq - In June, a Stoughton High School graduate turned terrorist was apparently killed while fighting for the Islamic State in Iraq. Ahmad Abousamra, 33, was reported dead after an airstrike by Iraqi warplanes west of the largely ISIS-held province of Anbar.
6. Computer Equipment Stolen from Stoughton Library - In May, a person entered the building by using a stone to break the glass doors at the front entrance. Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany told SMAC that computer equipment was taken during the break-in and it is believed the person was cut due to blood left at the scene.
7. Man with Knife Shot by Stoughton Police Officer - In February, a man was shot by a Stoughton police officer after a foot chase. Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany said the man was shot after he came towards the officer with a knife after the chase on Central Street and Buckley Road.
8. Dorchester Man Charged with Threatening to Shoot Strip Club Employees - In September, a Dorchester man threatened to shoot an employee at Alex’s before taken in custody for drunken driving. An employee of the establishment told police that the man came into the club and demanded a drink. When service was denied because he appeared to have been drinking before arriving, he threatened to shoot staff at the club.
9. Former Housing Director Admits to Stealing Pills - In December, former Stoughton Housing Director Gregory Bartlett admitted to using a key to enter the home of a 90-year-old and stealing pills from her. He was sentenced to two years of probation and must remain alcohol and drug-free through drug testing, can’t work with an elderly housing program, seek mental health/substance abuse counseling, and can’t contact the victim or her family.
10. Motorcyclist Flown to Boston After Accident - In September, a man was flown to a Boston hospital after the motorcycle he was hit by a truck at the intersection of Charles Avenue and Washington Street.