MBTA Transit Police Catch Would-Be Bike Theft In The Act: Police

BOSTON — Earlier this week MBTA Transit Police caught a Waltham man in the act of trying to steal a bike using a hammer, according to authorities.

On Sept 24, around 8:30 p.m. an officer was patrolling the bike cages at the MBTA's Alewife station precisely to prevent theft's of bicycles when he saw a man, later identified as Joseph Macchiarulo, 39, of Waltham attempting to smash the lock off of a bicycle with a "peen" hammer.

It turned out the bike, which was secured to the bike rack, didn't belong to him, police said.

The officer interrupted Macchiarulo and placed him into custody for attempted larceny of a bicycle.

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