Police Log: Phone Scam; Stolen Bikes; Assault with Bleach

Phone scam

A man came in to Newton Police Headquarters on Nov. 21 to report a suspicious phone call.

According to reports, the man received a call from someone who claimed to be his grandson asking for money. The caller, who the man said sounded like his grandson, said he was in Mexico City on a trip he went on without his parents' approval.

The caller said he got into a car accident and needed financial help. 

The police advised the man to alert his credit cards of a possible scam and to do a credit check. 

Domestic disturbance leads to arrest

A Newton man was arrested on Nov. 21 after police responded to Langley Road for reports of a domestic disturbance.

Alexander Neofotistos, 28, of 400A Langley Road, was arrested and charged with assault and battery, police said. 

Keyed car

Police responded to Kessler Way on Nov. 22 for reports of vandalism to a vehicle. 

According to reports, there was extensive scratch marks (made with a key) that were left throughout the entire body of the car except for the driver's side. 

Stolen bike

A resident living on Bullough Park told police on Nov. 22 that someone stole her bike from a shed in the backyard. 

According to reports, the resident was not sure if the shed was locked. The stolen bike was described as a green "Giant" brand women's bike. 

In addition to the stolen bicycle, the resident also found two full gas tanks that were tipped over and emptied in the shed. 

Assault with bleach

A Newton man was arrested on Nov. 24 after police responded to Pearl Street for reports of a domestic incident.

Alex Christopher Clayborne, 53, of 248 Pearl St. #2, was arrested and charged with assault and battery as well as assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (bleach). 

Break-in suspect steals iPad

Police responded to Ashmont Avenue on Nov. 24 after a resident reported a break-in and a theft. 

According to reports, a person entered the resident's apartment through an unlocked back door and stole an iPad. The incident reportedly happened between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. 

A witness told police that he ran into a woman in the hallway around 5 p.m. who said she was "looking for Kristen who is fixing my computer." The witness then told the female that no one in the building was named Kristen, at which point the woman appeared nervous and left the building heading down Crafts Street on foot. 

The woman was described as a white female, approximately 5'7" tall, 135 pounds with dirty blonde shoulder-length hair. She appeared to be in her late 20s and was wearing jeans, a low-cut black shirt and white sneakers. The witness said the woman had a large bag with papers, a laptop and possibly an iPad. 

Restraining order violations

Two Newton teens were recently arrested for restraining order violations, reports said. 

Brian Mariano, 17, of 103 Albert Road, and Kelly Nichols, 18, of 696 Saw Mill Brook Parkway, were arrested on Nov. 25, police said. 

Another stolen bike

Police responded to Adams Street on Nov. 25 for reports of a stolen bicycle.

According to reports, a bright green "Bridgeton" mountain bike was stolen from a shed behind the house. The theft happened sometime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Stolen iPhone

A woman came in to Newton Police Headquarters on Nov. 25 to report that her iPhone had been stolen at a party the night before. The theft reportedly happened sometime between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. 

Probation violation

A Newton man was arrested on Nov. 26 after her allegedly violated his probation, reports said. 

Joseph D. Gerace, 50, of 167 Adams St. #1, was initially arrested for two counts of assault and battery, possession to distribute a class B substance and possession of a firearm and ammunition, police said. 

Once police received notification that Gerace violated his probation, a warrant was issued and police responded to Gerace's residence to place him under arrest. 

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