Soup Tosser, Brazen Botanist, First Family Threats: MA Crime

A Salisbury man accused of offering to pay $30,000 to his two accusers and one of their mothers in a child rape case was ordered held without bail Monday. Scott Smith, 38, of Salisbury, is expected to be indicted on the additional charges, prompting his attorney to hold off on the bail revocation hearing that had been scheduled for Monday. Read more.

The body of a newborn baby boy was found at a Connecticut waste facility that handles recycling materials from Andover. Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said his department was working with law enforcement officials in Stamford, CT, after officials there determined some of the material being processed at the plant had come from Andover. Read more.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court upheld a lower-courts decision to not grant a new trial to an Andover man who was convicted of sexually assaulting his mother, who was incapacitated following a stroke in 2013. In a ruling issued Thursday, the appeals court said the lower court had not erred when it denied 58-year-old John Bangert an evidentiary hearing and that he had not sufficiently proved his claim that he was represented by ineffective counsel at his trial. Read more.

Here are more of the top crime stories from across the Massachusetts Patch network this week. Individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent.

Peabody Thief Dubbed 'Brazen Botanist' Gets Year In Jail

Joseph Gardner, 43, of Peabody, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in the case out of Salem.

Beverly Man Pleads Guilty Guilty For Threats To First Family

Daniel Frisiello, 25, had reached the plea agreement with federal prosecutors last month.

Andover Middle School Teacher Resigns After Theft Charges

The Andover middle school teacher who was charged with three counts of theft, two counts of criminal trespassing and a count of endangering the welfare of a child after being accused of using a child to help him steal prizes from a video game resigned his position.

Bus Driver Charged For Leaving 5-Year-Old On School Bus

The charges come more than a month after allegations against David Boutros, 71, of Bradford, were first raised.

Salem Man Held In Armed Theft Of $470 Sweatshirt

Police say the victim was forced to turn over A Bathing Ape sweatshirt when he accepted a ride from Thomas Elwell, 26, of Salem.

Danvers Man Charged With OUI While On Probation For OUI

Brian Flynn, 47, of Danvers, was placed on probation for his second drunk driving offense last month.

Chelmsford Man Cost Lowe's $1,000+ By Switching Bar Codes: Police

A North Chelmsford man accused of swapping the bar codes on items at a Lowe's in Nashua, NH, was arrested Monday. Michael Rogers, 43, replaced the bar codes on items with bar codes from cheaper goods before completing the sale at self-checkout, police said.

Man Tried Robbing Somerville Store With Hypodermic Needle: Police

The shop owner told police the suspect pointed a needle filled with dark liquid at her.

Hatchet-Wielding MBTA Worker Accused In Weymouth Attack: Police

She told police, "I know I'm going to get fired for this" after the alleged attack on an 83-year-old man.

Man Shot In Roslindale

While fatal shootings are up this year compared to this time last year across Boston, the number of non-fatal shootings are down.

Boston Officer Who Was Shot Sues Online Gun Dealer Website

The lawsuit is against an online firearms marketplace, the man accused of shooting him and the woman who bought the gun online.

Man In Bathing Suit, Dress Shoes Busted For OUI: Natick Police

The reason the man told police her had no pants in the cold weather? 'I'm not going to lie; I [urinated] myself.'

Sweet Tomatoes Fatal Crash Trial Begins With Opening Statements

Brad Casler, a Newton driver diagnosed with MS, is accused of killing two people after plowing his car into a Newton pizza shop in 2016.

Duck Boat, MBTA 'Ride' Vehicle Collide In Boston: Reports

It looks like a Duck Boat T-boned a car in Boston.

No Spoon For You: Accused Newton Soup Tosser To Appear In Court

Soup's on for a woman accused of tossing soup in the face of the owner of the New England Soup Factory. She's headed to court say police.

Report Of Gun Prompts Brief Shelter In Place At BU; A BB Gun

A call reporting a man with a gun near Kenmore prompted a shelter in place at BU and stopped trains turned out to be an airsoft rifle.

Photos via local police departments