Fare evader arrested for possessing Dangerous Weapon

On February 26, 2013 at approximately 10:30 am plainclothes Transit Police officers assigned to Area 2 were conducting fave evasion enforcement at Central Sq. MBTA station. While there their attention was drawn to a male, later identified as Ahmed Abdisalan, 24 of Boston, who proceeded through the fare gates without paying his fare. Abdisalan then immediately boarded a waiting train that had its doors open. Officers boarded the train and asked Abdisalan to exit so they could issue him a fare evasion citation. Once off the train Abdisalan was asked to produce identification, it was at this time Abdisalan became uncooperative and placed his right hand into his pants pocket. Officers requested Abdisalan remove his hand from his pocket and furnish his identification. Abdisalan refused, officers fearing Abdisalan may be armed with a weapon restrained his arms and attempted to remove his hand from his pocket. Abdisalan violently resisted their efforts, ultimately officers were able to gain control of Abdisalan and remove his hand from his pocket. Inside that same pocket officers discovered two double edged knives. Possessing a double edged knife is a criminal violation under Massachusetts general law Chapter 269 Section 10. Abdisalan was placed into custody for possessing a dangerous weapon and issued a citation for fare evasion. He was transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process and is expected to be arraigned today in Cambridge District Court.

tpdnews.

Reminder: Electronic device safety awareness

From January 1, 2013 through February 26, 2013 there have been 43 robberies on the MBTA system. Of that 36 or 84% have involved the targeted theft of electronic devices, most notably smart phones such as the Apple iPhone.
 Unfortunately, thefts of smart phones/electronic devices (most notably Apple products) is a nationwide trend. This trend often referred to as "Apple Picking" is for the most part a crime of opportunity. However there are things you can do to minimize the chances of being victimized while traveling on the T.

• If possible avoid using your phone while on the MBTA except in cases of emergency/reporting via SeeSay or 911
• Conceal expensive electronic equipment
• Change the color of the ear buds, would be thieves look for the distinctive white ear plugs of Apple
• Refrain from listening to music or wearing headphones while riding the system
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times especially if you are using your electronic device
• Be aware that most robberies of electronic devices occur near the train doors
• Be alert for staged distractions

Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan stated " public awareness campaigns are an invaluable tool in our goal to reduce thefts of iPhones and other electronic devices on the MBTA. Enforcement alone will not work, we need to remind our MBTA community they can take definitive steps to guard themselves from being victimized". 

Police Chiefs around the country, including Chief MacMillan, have been working on this important issue with the FCC and cell phone carriers. Carriers are trying to make it harder for thieves to profit from stolen mobile devices. (check out story here)

In the unfortunate event you are a victim DO NOT resist, things can be replaced. Try to stay calm, hand over your device and attempt to observe the physical characteristics of the perpetrator so you can describe him/her later. Contact the Transit Police as soon as possible (immediately if practicable) after the event and report the incident. Our detectives will work diligently to get your property back and apprehend the offender. Also, if you have not done so already please passcode protect your iPhone, enable Find My iPhone and lastly download a Remote Data Wipe for iPhone. For more information or tips to protect yourself call the Intelligence Unit at 617-222-1170.

We have attached a short video produced and published by the New York City Police Department titled "Electronic Device Safety Tips". It is only 31 seconds in length but worth the watch.

Please contact the Transit Police with any information of criminal activity that has or is occurring on the MBTA. You can do so completely anonymously via SeeSay apps for iPhone and Android users or simply text 873873.

 

Looking for Love in all the wrong places

On February 19, 2013 at approximately 6pm plainclothes Transit Police officers from Area 1 were on patrol at Chinatown MBTA station. While on the northbound platform a female police officer was approached by a male, later identified as Handell Liburd, 33 of Beverly. Liburd took a seat on the bench next to the undercover officer and initiated a conversation with her. Liburd eventually directed the conversation to the topic of making money and inquired if the UC police officer was interested in earning some money.  Liburd then bluntly offered the female UC officer 40.00 dollars to perform a sexual act on him. Officers present approached Liburd identified themselves as Transit Police officers and placed him into custody for Solicitation of Sexual Conduct for a Fee. Liburd was transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process and is expected to arraigned in Boston Municipal Court sometime today.

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Helpful tips

BARCC by tpdnews411 

Earlier today we informed our readers of an arrest for Open&Gross conduct which took place on an MBTA Commuter Rail train at North Station.  tpdnews informs our readers of such arrests hoping to draw awareness to what we believe is an under reported crime.  Additionally, we hope it encourages others who have had similiar experiences to contact and report the incident to Transit Police. Our detectives will work tirelessly to identify and hold the offender responsible for their criminal conduct. In the unfortunate event you find yourself confronted by someone who is behaving or touching you inappropriately on the MBTA, here are some helpful tips; Bring attention to the person, tell others around you, move away if possible, take a picture if safe to do so and report the incident to Transit Police as soon as practicable.  You can contact us 24 hours a day by calling 617-222-1212 or our MBTA SeeSay app. We also have attached an informational handout from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.   

         

 

Boston Man arrested for Open & Gross

On February 11, 2013 at approximately 6:20 p.m. Transit Police officers from Area 2 were on patrol at North Station MBTA Commuter Rail when they were approached by a MBCR employee who informed the officers a man was masturbating on an incoming Lowell train. The officers were further informed the train was due to arrive in approximately 5 minutes. The officers proceeded to the platform and waited for the train's arrival. As the Lowell train came to a stop and passengers were disembarking the officers noticed a male, later identified as Mehmet Beyaztas, 24 of Boston, running down the platform and away from the train. The officers were immediately notified by train personnel Beyaztas was the man who was involved in the incident on board the train. Officers were able to stop Beyaztas to conduct an investigation as to what transpired.

As the officers were speaking with Beyaztas a female passenger who was on the same train car as him approached the officers and identified herself as the person who requested police assistance. The female reporting party provided the following information to officers; while traveling on a inbound Lowell train her attention was drawn to Beyaztas who was seated across the aisle from her. Beyaztas was masturbating and looking in her direction. Beyaztas made no attempt to conceal and/or be covert in his actions and his penis was fully exposed. The reporting party moved away from Beyaztas and reported the incident to train personnel.

Officers placed Beyaztas into custody for Open & Gross conduct and transported him to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. Beyaztas is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court sometime today.

Do you recognize these people ?

Transit Police detectives are seeking the identity of the male subjects depicted within. If you know who they are or have information regarding their whereabouts please call the Criminal Investigation Unit at 617-222-1050. Those wishing to help but who seek to remain anonymous can do so via our MBTA SeeSay app or by simply texting us at 873873.

On Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at approximately 2:30 PM, a female, after losing her ATM card, reported that it was fraudulently used at the Shawmut and JFK/UMass MBTA Stations. The two male subjects depicted above were captured on video purchasing Link passes with the victim’s ATM card.

 

The subjects are described as follows:

 

1.    Black male, late 20’s-early 30’s, with a goatee, wearing navy blue sweatpants, a grey hooded winter coat, a baby blue knit cap, and blue sneakers.

2.    Black male, 20’s, wearing a blue baseball cap with green visor with the word “VICTORY” across the back, a navy blue puffy coat, grey hood, black running pants with 3 white stripes down the sides, with Adidas shell toe sneakers.

 

Transit Police

Transit Police

Transit Police

tpdnews.



Man attempts to sell stolen bike to TPD Detectives

On January 28th, 2013 at approximately 8:45 a.m.a victim secured her Specialized Hybrid Globe 1 bicycle to the bicycle rack located on the College Avenue side of the Davis Sq. MBTA station in Somerville. Upon her return at approximately 6 p.m. that same evening the bicycle was missing. The victim reported the theft to Transit Police and the case was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit. On February 7, 2013 the victim contacted the Transit Police detective with whom she had been working with and reported seeing her bicycle for sale on Craigslist. Detectives confirmed the existence of the posting in Craigslist and conducted an undercover sting to determine the origins of the bike advertised for sale. Detectives communicated with the poster of the Craigslist advertisement via telephone and email where he again offered a woman's Specialized Hybrid Globe 1 bicycle for sale.

On February 8, 2013 (YES, same day as Blizzard 2013) the poster of the advertisement, Phillip Pinto 38 of Somerville set up a meeting with whom he believed was an interested customer. In fact the interested customer Pinto had arranged the meeting with were Transit Police detectives. At approximately noon time as the Blizzard of 2013 was beginning in earnest Pinto was waiting, bicycle in hand, at the pre-arranged meeting location. (Temple Street, Somerville). Detectives confirmed the serial numbers of the woman's Globe 1 bike Pinto was offering for sale to that of the victim's stolen bicycle. Detectives confiscated the bicycle and placed Pinto into custody for Receiving Stolen Property. Pinto was transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. Pinto is expected to be arraigned sometime today in Somerville District Court.
tpdnews.

Transit Police/Phillip Pinto