Worcester Man Tried To Return Lost Cell Phone, Gets Door Smashed In

WORCESTER, MA —

Around 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, Worcester Police headed to an apartment on Woodford Street that had reportedly just been invaded.

Two victims - a 44-year-old woman and 57-year-old man - met with police, with the male indicating that he was shopping at Walgreen's on Park Ave. when he found a cell phone on the floor. He says he picked it up and tried to turn it over to Walgreen's staff. The staff refused to take the phone, so he brought it home with the intent to try to track down the owner.

A short time later, he told police that he heard a loud banging at the front door, a man yelling for him to open the door and hand over the phone. He started to open the door when two men tried to force it open, the victims pushing back against the door to stop them from coming inside.

The victims told the men at the door that they were going to return the phone, but when one of them stepped away from the door, one of the suspects smashed out the window and unlocked it. The two men then forced their way into the apartment, said police, and grabbed the cell phone from the counter. One of the suspects pulled a machete out of his waistband and threatened the victims with it.

One of the victims was able to access a cell phone and call the police, after which the suspects fled the scene, possibly in a black Ford Expedition. One of the suspects is described as approximately 5’6, light skinned with a scruffy beard and brown hair. The second suspect is described as taller, darker skinned with a thin beard and a black winter cap.

The male victim sustained a minor injury to his arm as he tried to push the door closed against the suspects. He was treated at a local hospital.

Worcester Police Detectives are actively investigating this case to determine the identity of the suspects involved. Anyone with information about this incident can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message or send an anonymous web based message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at 508-799-8651.