Crime & Safety

Needham Police Log: A New Number, and More!

The following information was supplied by the Needham Police Department. Any charges mentioned do not indicate a conviction.


Monday, Sept. 9

  • Sometime over the weekend, police say someone entered and vandalized a classroom at Needham High School. There were no signs of forced entry. Reported at about 1:30 p.m., the report indicates someone poured something into the fishtank that made it cloudy, ripped up a sign and used the computer. 
Tuesday, Sept 10
  • A contractor's lawn sign was reportedly moved and vandalized some time before 1:15 p.m. The contact number written on the sign had been changed, and was not the number of the contractor. Police contacted the new number, and the person who answered the phone admitted to changing the number and said he would not do it again. Police advised him of potential consequences, and contacted the contractor, who was satisfied with the outcome.
  • A credit card company contacted a Rivard Road resident about a potentially fraudulent activity on her card. She reported to police that someone had made a $1500 charge on the card in California before 8:45 p.m. Police filed a report, and the woman has canceled the card and is awaiting reimbursement.
Wednesday, Sept 11
  • Police pulled over a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker at about 9:15 a.m. After speaking with the driver, identified as a 45-year-old East Bridgewater man, Michael Gatt, they learned that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from Quincy court. They also learned that the passenger, 43-year-old Brockton man Richard Bird also had a warrant for his arrest from Brockton court. Both men were arrested and charged on those warrants. The third person in the car was summonsed to court for driving after a suspension.
  • 7 p.m., police spoke with two people who came into the station to report a potential fraud. The day before, cash was exchanged for a check, and the reporting parties wanted to get the cash back. The cash was returned to them, and the check to the original writer. 
Thursday, Sept 12
  • At about 8:30 a.m., police were sent to a Hillcrest Road home for a reported disturbance. There was an altercation between a home owner and a contractor, although police were not able to figure out who was the aggressor in the situation. They were advised of their right to press charges against each other, and have agreed to stay away from each other. 
  • On First Avenue at about 2:30 p.m., police arrested and charged 24-year-old Freddy Pena of Dedham on an outstanding warrant. 

The above information was supplied by the Needham Police Department. Any charges mentioned do not indicate a conviction.



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