Newton Police Log: Shoplifting, Weapons Charges and Warrant Arrests

Warrant for assault, armed burglary

A Newton man was arrested on Feb. 22 on a warrant out of Newton District Court, reports said. 

Michael Diroma Jr., 20, of 308 California St. #12, was wanted on a warrant for armed burglary, assault with a dangerous weapon, larceny from a building, conspiracy and intimidating a witness, police said.

Stolen trash barrel

A woman came in to Newton Police Headquarters on Feb. 22 to report that sometime in the last month her blue city-issued trash barrel had been stolen from the front of her home on Mt. Ida Terrace.

Stolen wallet

Police responded to the Chestnut Hill Medical Center (25 Boylston St.) on Feb. 22 after an employee reported her wallet was stolen from the office.

According to reports, the woman left her purse in the office between noon and 12:50 p.m. while she was at a meeting. The office was empty and left unlocked, she said.

Shoplifting at Banana Republic

An employee at Banana Republic told police on Feb. 22 that someone stole 20 short-sleeve polo shirts from one of the store shelves. The incident reportedly happened on Feb. 20 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

More shoplifting at the mall

Police responded to the Solstice sunglasses store in the Mall at Chestnut Hill on Feb. 23 after an employee reported a shoplifting incident.

According to reports, a man stole four pairs of Chanel unisex sunglasses. 

The suspect was described as a white or Hispanic male, late 20s or early 30s and approximately 5'8" tall. He was wearing dark jeans, a grey and black fleece jacket, a black baseball cap and black sneakers. He was also carrying a brown paper bag, reports said.

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Domestic disturbance leads to weapons charges 

Two Newton men are facing multiple weapons charges after Newton Police responded to Agawam Road on Feb. 24 for reports of a domestic disturbance.

Police are seeking complaints against a 63-year-old Newton man for charges of assault and battery, improper storage of a non-large capacity gun and two counts of possession of firearms and ammunition without (or with an expired) firearms identification (FID) card, reports said.

A 34-year-old Newton man is also facing charges of assault and battery on a person over 60, possession of a firearm without an FID card and possession of ammunition without an FID card, police said. 

Stolen tool box

Police responded to Tim Terrio HVAC (Border Street) on Feb. 24 for reports of a past larceny.

According to reports, someone stole a steel tool box from the property sometime over the weekend. The three-foot-long by three-foot-deep steel tool box was empty, but was taken from the front of the building on Border Street. The incident happened sometime between 5 p.m. Friday (Feb. 22) and 4 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 24).

Waltham man arrested on multiple warrants

A Waltham man was arrested on Feb. 25 on warrants out of Newton and Boston district courts.

Jeffrey William Demarais, 29, 56 Weir Road, was arrested on a Newton warrant for witness interference/obstruction of justice and a municipal ordinance for drinking in public, police said. The Boston warrant was issued for trespassing and failure to appear, police said.

Family disturbance leads to arrest

A South Hamilton, Mass. woman was arrested on Feb. 26 after police responded to Boylston Street for a family disturbance.

Vanessa Rose Gentleman, 26, of 9E Gregory Island Road, was arrested and charged with destruction of property over $250 and intimidation of a witness, police said.

Tampered mail

Newton Police responded to the UPS Store (Boylston Street) on Feb. 27 for reports of a past larceny.

According to reports, a local man who has a P.O. Box at the store told police he noticed one of his pieces of mail appeared to have been opened. The envelope was shipped from New York and contained eight Allman Brothers concert tickets.

The envelope was shipped on Feb. 21 and arrived in Newton between Feb. 23-25, reports said.

The manager of the store told police he did not notice anything unusual.

Break-in on Waltham Street

Police responded to a home on Waltham Street on Feb. 28 for reports of a past breaking and entering.

According to reports, the suspect(s) gained entry by smashing a window on a side kitchen door near the driveway. 

The master bedroom door was also locked, but was forced open with a tool, as police found pry marks on the lock and door jamb. 

The suspect(s) went through all the drawers in the master bedroom and attempted to break open a safe, but did not succeed. The only items reported stolen were two "older model" laptops on the kitchen table, reports said.

Newton Police's K-9 unit responded to the scene to search for the suspect, but came up with negative results, police said.

Violating a protective order

Newton Police arrested Jason Donahe, 20, of 144 Derby St., Newton, on Feb. 28 for violating a protective order, reports said.

For questions on this police blotter, email Editor Melanie Graham at Melanie.Graham@patch.com.