Brookline Blotter: Porch Pirates Strike Packages, Fraud Attempted

BROOKLINE, MA — Over the last week, police in Brookline responded to several calls including reports of fraud and theft.

The information below is taken from the Brookline Police Department blog and does not include reports of sex crimes, domestic abuse or other sensitive police reports.

Sept. 9

Officers were dispatched to an address on Beacon Street after someone reported a bag containing personal belongings was taken from a bicycle.

A stolen moped was reported on Beacon Street. The reporting person told officers the moped was chained in front of his or her building, but it was missing by morning.

Sept. 10

A Freeman Street reported he or she had received a call from a person claiming to be with a government agency. Police said the caller threatened the recipient in an attempt to receive money.

Sept. 11

An attempt at unemployment fraud was reported on Crowninshield Road. Police said a person received a letter in the mail stating a claim for unemployment assistance was filed using his or her information, but the person had not filed for unemployment.

Another unemployment fraud attempt was reported on Webster Street when a resident received a letter alerting him or her that someone had filed a claim using his or her information.

A report was made after a resident's grill was stolen from his or her property.

A porch pirate on Beacon Street stole a delivered package.

A resident of Beacon Street called police to report he or she had received an email from their employer alerting them an unemployment claim had been filed using the person's information.

A resident of Francis Street called police to report that items had been stolen from his or her garage.

A resident on Euston Street reported that several packages had been stolen from the foyer of a building.

Sept. 12

A break-in and entry was reported on Aspinwall Avenue after someone reported hearing a person trying to break in. Police are investigating.

A fraud was reported by a resident of Little Road who said, in trying to sell an item online, the alleged purchaser had sent a check for more than the asking price of the item and asked the victim to deposit the check and forward money to another account.

A bicycle was stolen from a shed on Thorndike Street during overnight hours.