On Thursday October 8, 2009, at 1519 hours, the Rockland Trust Bank at 430 Main St. was robbed. The suspect entered the bank, approached the teller, displayed a note in one hand demanding money and displayed a gun in his right hand at the same time. The suspect fled out the rear entrance of the bank and was observed getting into a small black motor vehicle with a missing hub cap. The vehicle traveled east bound on Main St and was last seen traveling westbound on Pleasant St towards Waltham.

A Waltham Police detective was able to identify the suspect from surveillance photos. A subsequent investigation by the Watertown Police, Waltham Police and FBI Bank Robbery Task Force resulted in a warrant being obtained in Waltham District Court on Friday October 9, 2009, for David M. Webster of 60 Lowell St. Apt # B Waltham, charging him with Armed Robbery.

At approximately 1230 hours on 10/9/09, the above agencies along with the State Police Stop Unit arrested Webster at his residence in Waltham on the Armed Robbery charge. Webster will be arraigned in Waltham District Court late this afternoon.

The lead detective investigating a recent house break has determined the suspect used a U-HAUL truck. The suspect backed a medium sized U-Haul truck into the driveway of the home after the victim had left for work. Entrance to the house was then gained through a rear door. There have been similar incidents in both Belmont and Somerville, within the past week. Please contact the Police Department at 617-972-6500 if you witness any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.

Luis Garcia is no longer wanted in connection with a hit and run motor vehicle accident which resulted in serious personal injury to a Watertown resident. He turned himself in at Waltham District Court on September 15, 2009.

We have added a new page to our website. You may view bicycles that have been recently recovered by the Watertown Police Department.

This is the time of year when we see a marked increase in door to door solicitors. All solicitors operating within the Town of Watertown must be registered with the Police Department. Background checks are conducted on all registered vendors. If you are approached by any solicitors and/or you have any question as to their legitimacy please contact us right away at 617-972-6500. An officer will be dispatched to verify the identity of the person.  Over the past week there have been several incidents involving solicitors claiming to be selling magazines for Prestige Sales or Destiny Sales in the area. None of these persons are registered with Watertown Police Department. While none of these persons have been identified as being involved in any crimes in Watertown please remember to keep your doors locked even if you are just out in your backyard.

Over this past weekend 5 unlocked vehicles were broken into and property was taken from some of them. These incidents occured in the West End of Town, on Elmwood, Harrington, Warren and Carroll. Please make sure you lock your vehicle to prevent these type of crimes.

Detectives are investigating several recent motor vehicle break ins. Thieves are targeting unlocked vehicles during the overnight hours. GPS units are the most popular item for them to steal, along with loose change and any other readily available items of value in the passenger compartment. The Police Department is urging all residents to lock their vehicles to reduce your chance of becoming a victim.

Every time you leave your vehicle remove the GPS unit and the associated wiring. Take it with you or store it completely out of sight. Then make sure to wipe the marks from the suction cup rings off your windshield every time you remove it. Keep some pre-moistened glass wipes in your vehicle so you can do this every time you remove the unit. Thiefs are looking for an easy target, leaving your GPS unit visible is an open invitation to a thief. Leaving the suction cup rings on the windshield is also an open invitation that there may be a GPS unit inside the vehicle. By eliminating any trace of your GPS unit you are making your vehicle less of a target for these thieves. Keep a record of your GPS serial number in a safe place, this can be helpful to detectives as they investigate these thefts.

We ask that you be alert for any suspicious activity in your neighborhood and call us if you see anything out of the ordinary. You can call the main number at (617) 972-6500 or in the event of an emergency call 911.