After three attacks on women last Monday that were sexual in nature, one Tuesday in Maverick Square and one on Friday Boston Police have beefed up patrols in the neighborhood.
Police made an arrest on the assault that took place Tuesday in Maverick but are still investigating the incidents on Monday and Friday.
District 7’s Community Officer Dan Simons said at Monday night’s Orient Heights Community meeting that the cases involving the attacks on Monday and Friday are being investigated by the BPD’s sexual assault unit.
“There’s not a whole lot of information we can give because it is an ongoing investigation,” said Simons. “We have increased patrols in the area and increased the number of plainclothes officers in the neighborhood.”
At the meeting, the Police handed out whistles to females that attended the meeting and told people to use caution. Simmons also said the police have been handing out informational flyers about the attacks at Maverick Square and to businesses in the area.
City Councilor Sal LaMattina said he spent a day last week with the patrols, attended roll call and was impressed by the show of force following last week’s attacks.
“You have no idea how many extra officers the police have put into the neighborhood,” said LaMattina. “I have spent a few hours last week with the police and the station was jam packed with plainclothes officers from Boston that have been patrolling the streets.”
LaMattina said that he, Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Representative Carlo Basile and the Boston Police will sponsor a Self Defense Class at the Paris Street Community Center on Wednesday, march 5 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Sgt. Gary Eblan from the Boston Police Department will be on hand to teach his self-defense class “Street Smarts: Reducing Your Odds” in response to the sexual assaults. The classes are free and open to the public and LaMattina said all are encouraged to attend.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicates that the attacks, two of which were sexual in nature, may be connected. In response, police have increased patrols in Eastie and are asking community members – especially women – to be aware of the attacks so as to enhance and increase their levels of awareness and vigilance.
The first attack occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Officers from District 7 responded to a call for an unknown problem in the area of Trenton Street. Officers spoke to the first of three female victims that night who told police she was in the process of taking the trash out when an unknown male, smelling of alcohol, grabbed her from behind, pushed her to the ground and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim fought off her attacker. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries. She described the suspect as a clean-shaven Hispanic male in his thirties with a mole or mark on his left cheek, 5’5” in height, medium build, wearing a black hat, black North Face-type jacket, black pants and black boots. Twenty minutes later officers responded to a call for an assault & battery in progress in the area of Trenton Street. Officers spoke to a second female victim who told police that she was entering her apartment building when an unknown male, smelling of alcohol, approached her from behind and knocked her to the ground. The victim told police she began yelling and screaming in an effort to fight off the suspect. The suspect took off on foot. The victim refused medical attention. The suspect in that attack was described as a male in his forties with a mole on his left cheek, medium complexion, 5’8” in height, medium build, wearing all black.
Then about three hours later at 8 p.m. officers responded to a call for an assault & battery in the area of Chelsea Street. On arrival, officers spoke to a third victim who told police that an unknown male, smelling of alcohol, approached her from behind, displayed a knife and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim fell to the ground and the suspect took off on foot. The victim refused medical attention. The suspect in the last attack was described as a Hispanic male, medium complexion, no facial hair, 5’9” in height, medium build, wearing a black baseball hat, black coat.
Then four days later on Friday it was reported that a woman reported to police she was attacked on Chelsea Street at 8:30 p.m.
The suspect reportedly grabbed the woman from behind and began to choke her but she fell to the ground and was able to escape.
The victim told officers she was attacked on Chelsea Street Friday night around 8:30 p.m.
According to a source, the suspect grabbed the victim from behind and started choking her. She fell to the ground and the attack continued. Eventually the victim says she was able to escape to a nearby apartment.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives assigned to the Sexual Assault Unit at (617)343-4400. Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those wishing to remain anonymous.