Police Log: Assaulting an Officer, Copper Theft, Stolen Handlebars

Assaulting an Officer
A Newton Police officer responded to Waverley Avenue on June 29 in order to help a cab driver awaken a passenger passed out in the rear of his cab.

According to police reports, the officer arrived and attempted to awaken the passenger, who tried to punch the officer in the face with his right fist and then proceeded to push the officer in the face with his open palm.

Police arrested Thomas J. Balanda, 22, of 414 Wellesley Ave., in Wellesley and will seek charges of assault and battery on a police officer. Additionally, a citation for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana was issued.

Construction Site Theft
According to police, a construction manager at a Wells Avenue construction site arrived at the site on June 28 to find copper wire missing.

The manager told police that some time between 3:30 p.m. the day before and 7 a.m. on June 28, someone had stolen a spool of copper wire and a spool of Romex wire.

Handlebar Theft
On June 27, Newton Police responded to Eastern Mountain Sports at 300 Needham St., for a report of a theft. 

According to reports, an employee saw a woman with short, curly brown hair, about 5-foot, 5-inches tall and 140 pounds enter the store at around 5:10 p.m. The employee was speaking with another customer and watched as the woman walked to where the bicycles are kept. At that point, he lost site of her.

Shortly thereafter, the employee told police he saw the woman walk out the door with a set of handlebars sticking out of a green mesh bag. She left in a gray Honda hatchback and headed east on Route 9.

Police reports say the employee checked the bicycle section and discovered the cable to the gear shifter had been cut and four bolts had been unscrewed in order to remove the handlebars from a blue Jamis Ventura racing bike.