Police Log Roundup: Domestic Road Rage, Stolen Manhole Cover

Watchful Residents Helps Nab Two Suspected Burglars

Monday, July 19, 2:37 p.m. Melrose Police received a call from a resident who saw two men walking around a Derby Road home, trying to open doors to the home. Melrose Police officers responded and found two men who fit the descriptions provided by the caller, stopped them and one of the men was immediately placed under arrest on a default warrant, according to Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau. After they were positively identified by the resident, Robert L. Cordes, 26, 18 Meadow Drive, Middleton, and Dante Defuria, 30, 40 Tudor St., Revere, were both placed under arrest on the charge of breaking and entering for a misdemeanor.

Man Caught With Stolen Manhole Cover

Saturday, July 24, 2:38 a.m. An anonymous caller told Melrose Police that they saw a person putting a steel manhole cover into the back of a pickup truck on Bay State Road. DeCroteau said officers searched the area and stopped a pickup truck in the area with a manhole cover in clear view in the back of the truck, along with some air conditioning units. There were storm drain inserts and manhole covers on the ground on Bay State Road because of construction work there, DeCroteau said, adding that the manhole cover was "most likely" stolen in order to sell to a metal scrap yard for cash. Juan Francisco Clara, 31, 219 Princeton St., Apt. 1, East Boston was arrested on the charge of larceny over $250.

Man Blocks Car, Smashes Windshield With Fist

Saturday, July 24, 10:08 p.m. Melrose Police received a report that a woman driving on Charles Street had her car blocked in by a man known to her, according to DeCroteau. After driving in front of her car and stopping, the man got out and smashed the windshield of the woman's car with his fist, DeCroteau said. The woman managed to get her car in reverse and drive away to the intersection of West Wyoming Avenue and the Lynn Fells Parkway, where she called the police. The man had already fled the area.

The 25-year-old Malden man has been issued a summons on charges of assault and battery to intimidate, malicious destruction of property worth more than $250, and wanton destruction of property worth more than $250.

Other Arrests and Summonses

A 14-year-old girl was placed under a CHINS (Child In Need of Services) warrant arrest on Wednesday, July 21.

A 26-year-old Melrose woman was issued a summons on Saturday, July 24 on the charge of intimidating a witness.