Boy Approached, Break-Ins, Weapon Shown, Scam: Newton Police Logs

NEWTON, MA — Police respond to dozens of calls each day. Here are a few of the types of calls they responded to between Feb. 26 and March 2, including a number of reported break ins, a scam and a report of a stabbing or a gun shown. It should be noted that just because a call came in reporting an incident doesn't mean that's the way it happened.

Tuesday, Feb. 26

• Don't let strangers into your home: Police said a Clearwater Road resident reported a woman came to his home claiming to be from the engineers office. He allowed the unknown woman into the home and walked around the home with her and then she left. He described the car she got into as a blue sedan with blue plates. He said he does not believe anything is missing from the home.

Wednesday, Feb. 27

• Hit and run: Someone parked at Billings Park reported her car was damaged. She pointed out to police it had multiple scratch marks on its trunk, left side, right side, roof and hood areas. The vehicle was also missing its driver's side rearview mirror.
• Shoplifter: An employee at Lululemon Athletica reported a shoplifter.
• Arrested: Police arrested Nathan Fern, 58, of Newton and charged him with disorderly conduct and Resisting Arrest.
• Small boy approached: A Wyman Street resident reported that her 9-year-old was in the yard playing with the family dog, when a man drove up in a light blue or silver Scion and asked the boy if he could pet the dog. The man, described as in his 50s with gray hair showed the boy a picture of his own dog and then chatted with him for some 15 minutes, during which the man told the boy he hadn't see anyone in or around the house for a few days. The man also asked the boy a few questions about himself such as his age and where he went to school. The man did not get out of his car, nor did he ask the boy to get into his car.

Thursday, Feb. 28

• Warrant Arrest: Police arrested Mark Andrew Katz, 31, of Newton and charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon.
• Break in: Someone on Paul Street reported a break in at 10 p.m.
• Weapon shown: At 6:22 p.m. someone reported a knife or a gun shown at Avalon at Chestnut Hill building. [Patch is requesting more information about this one]

Friday, March 1

• Assault: Someone reported an assault around 2 a.m. near the corner of Albion and Beacon streets.
• Break in: A Washburn Avenue resident reported a break in.
• Shoplifter: Someone at Trader Joes reported a larceny.

Saturday, March 2

• Break in: At 7:45 p.m someone called to report a break in on Centre Street.

Sunday, March 3

• Break in happening: At 10:35 a.m. someone reported a break in happening at Catch Light Painting on Border Street.

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Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).