Waltham Attacks: No Arrests Yet, Police Confident Charges To Come

WALTHAM, MA —Police officials said Tuesday that they are optimistic they will apprehend the person who randomly and violently attacked at least 10 men on city streets during a two and a half week period in November.

"The investigation is still a number one priority," police posted to Facebook. "We continue to process multiple pieces of information and feel confident moving forward that criminal charges will result. We appreciate the public’s support and continued tips."

Officials didn't say how many persons of interest they were looking into, or release any new images or details of suspects.

"Please realize that in cases such as this, information cannot be disseminated to the public in advance of identifying a person or persons involved in these attacks," police said. "To do so would compromise any future criminal proceedings."

Read more: No New Waltham Attacks Since Police Offered Reward

Between Nov. 12 and Nov. 27 someone appeared to hid using the cover of darkness —between 5:30 and 11:30 p.m. — before attacking unsuspecting men around the city, sending many of them to the hospital with serious injuries to the head and face, including a postal carrier. He ran off in each case without stealing anything, police said.

Police said there have been 11 attacks reported, but after they offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the assailant on Dec. 1, the attacks stopped.

Chief Keith MacPherson said his department has all available resources, including a drone, focused on catching the person or persons responsible.

"The motive is somewhat in question, but it appears to be a thrill of the assault or someone who is very violent and enjoys seeing someone hurt," MacPherson said Dec. 1.

The first attacks happened at the Gardencrest apartment complex, while more recent attacks happened downtown in the area of Chestnut and Charles streets.

In late November, police released a 4-second video clip showing a man running down the street in jeans and a black sweatshirt and asked for the public's help identifying him in connection with the attacks. Police said they are looking into other persons of interest, thanks to tips from the community.

One of the most difficult aspects of the case has been getting an accurate description of the person responsible. Descriptions of the attacker or attackers have varied between white and Black men of various heights, because most people have been surprise attacked from behind.

Waltham resident David Camaros said he was on the phone throwing out trash behind his apartment building on Middlesex Road when someone attacked him from behind using a heavy object.

"These incidents aren't occurring in a vacuum," said MacPherson last month. He asked that anyone who has witnessed an assault to call police at 781-314-3600 (option 4) or the anonymous tip line at 781-314-3636.

The news conference from December in which police announce a reward for information:

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.