Commendations

March 3, 2004 - Personnel Order #2004 -11

PATROL OFFICER JOHN INGRAM

On July 21, 2003 at 1420hrs, while on patrol in a marked unit, Officer John Ingram heard a radio broadcast over BAPERN from the Boston Police regarding a suspect in an attempted breaking and entering on the Riverway. Officer Ingram responded to the area and spotted a subject fitting the description. Officer Ingram gave out the subject's location and, with the assistance of Officer Greg Gillis and Sergeant William Miller, they were able to stop the suspect at the corner of Brookline and Aspinwall Aves. The officers quickly determined that the suspect, Franklin Abernathy, had an outstanding warrant and he was placed under arrest. Abernathy admitted to the officers that he had been on the Riverway. At the time of his arrest, Abernathy was carrying a bag which contained a laptop, laptop bag, and paperwork belonging to another person. These items, as well as the bike he was riding at the time of the stop, were reported stolen by a Tremont Street resident. Abernathy was charged with receiving stolen property over $250 for the two breaks. For his keen observation skills, quick response and exemplary work in this case, Officer Ingram is to be commended.

DETECTIVE ANDREW LIPSON

On August 24, 2003 at 1650hrs, while assigned to an unmarked unit, Detective Andrew Lipson was conducting surveillance in the area of Brookline Ave, where a high number of motor vehicle breaks had been occurring. While stopped on River Road at Brookline Ave, Detective Lipson observed a subject riding slowly on a bike looking into the interiors of parked motor vehicles. When the subject, later identified as David Leon, spotted Detective Lipson, he rode away, turning into an alley. Detective Lipson drove to the area where the alley ends and stopped Leon. Detective Lipson explained to Leon why he was stopped and asked him several questions which Leon gave inconsistent and vague answers to. When asked for identification, Leon stated that he did not have any but that he was on a suspended sentence. At this time, Detective Lipson asked Leon if he had any sharp objects on him prior to conducting a pat frisk. Leon stated that he had a needle, which Detective Lipson located in his backpack, along with a small piece of metal consistent with cooking heroin, a bottle of solution for rinsing the needle, two screwdrivers and a pry tool. It was also determined that Leon had an extensive criminal history including possession of class A drugs, possession of a syringe, B & Es and possession of burglarious tools. Leon's most recent interaction with the Brookline Police Department involved charges for burglarious tools and possession of class A drugs and a syringe. During that incident, Leon was observed checking cars on nearby Pond Ave. Detective Lipson, with the assistance of Patrol Officer John Sullivan, placed Leon under arrest for possession of burglarious tools and possession of a hypodermic needle. Due to Detective Lipson's surveillance skills and diligence, he was successful at removing a career criminal from the street and helping to curtail the significant car break problem in that neighborhood.

PATROL OFFICER DANIEL YANEZ
PATROL OFFICER STEVEN YUNG

On August 26, 2003 at approximately 0245hrs, while assigned to the 541 marked unit, Officer Daniel Yanez and Officer Steven Yung were clearing a call at 323 Harvard Street, when they observed a motor vehicle passing them without the headlights illuminated. They signaled the vehicle to stop and approached the operator, who was identified as Walter Martinez. They asked Martinez for his license and registration and he informed the officers that he did not speak English and only knew Spanish. At this time, Officer Yanez began to converse with Martinez in Spanish. Martinez, who was unable to provide a license or the registration, explained that the vehicle belonged to his friend. Officers Yanez and Yung requested a license, warrant and Board of Probation check on the subject through Dispatch. Dispatch was unable to locate a driver's license for Martinez and he was placed under arrest for operating without a license. During a pat frisk of Martinez, the officers located a knife in his pocket. Approximately 15 minutes later, the Boston Police notified the Brookline Dispatch Center that the vehicle Martinez was driving was just reported stolen from Linden Street in Allston, just minutes from the scene of the traffic stop. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, officers found damage under the steering column in the form of cut wires. Martinez was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, possession of burglarious tools, unlicensed operation, and failure to display headlights. Officer Yanez and Yung are to be commended for their excellent police work in this case. Their attention to traffic safety and enforcement led to the speeding recovery of a motor vehicle.

PATROL OFFICER DAVID WAGNER

On September 9, 2003 at approximately 0900hrs, Patrol Officer David Wagner was patrolling the area of Brookline Avenue and River Road, an area with a high incidence of car break-ins throughout the summer, when he observed a man walking down River Road with a backpack on. This man, later identified as Ricardo Alvarez, became visibly nervous when Officer Wagner passed him in the marked unit. Officer Wagner circled back to the area, this time noticing something shaking in the bushes along the street. He further inspected the bushes and saw Alvarez crouching in them, taking off his backpack. Officer Wagner then watched as Alvarez approached a parked vehicle and attempted to open it from the passenger's side. When Alvarez spotted the cruiser, he looked started and moved back into the bushes. At this time, Officer Wagner exited his cruiser and approached the subject. When questioned about what he was doing, Alvarez became nervous and when questioned about his backpack, began taking items out of it. Alvarez removed everything except a jacket which Officer Wagner asked him to remove for his safety. When the jacket was removed, two screwdrivers were revealed in the bottom of the bag. Unprovoked, Alvarez stated, "you have the wrong person, I don't do car breaks." Based on his observations and the suspect's statements, Officer Wagner placed Alvarez under arrest. During a pat frisk of the suspect, a box cutter was located in his pocket and during booking, a hypodermic needle was found in his wallet. Alvarez was charged with attempted B & E of a motor vehicle, possession of burglarious tools, and possession of a hypodermic needle. For his persistent attention to the car break problem in this area, as well as, his observation and surveillance abilities that day, Officer David Wagner is commended.

The above are examples of some of the excellent police work that was conducted over the last half of 2003 by the men and women of the Brookline Police Department. These officers are to be commended for their efforts in keeping Brookline a safe place to live, work and visit.

Daniel C. O'Leary
Chief of Police

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