On 07/12/2016, I, Officer Christopher Collette was assigned to Somerville marked unit East One. At approximately 20:57 hours I was dispatched to the Cityline Laundromat at 110 Broadway for a male who was stripping off his clothes and attempting to wash them in machines claimed by other patrons. Officer Goncalves in East Four responded as well. Once on scene I observed a male later identified as Robert Galvin. Mr. Galvin indicated that he was the patron who police were called for. While speaking to Mr. Galvin I observed him to be a white male approximately in his mid fifties. His hair was graying and white (salt and pepper) and he was wearing a gray long sleeve shirt and black athletic shorts. Mr. Galvin then informed me that lived on Mt. Pleasant St. and his name was Bobby. Approximately twenty minutes earlier I responded to 12 Rush St. for a past motor vehicle break. During this incident a juvenile witness, known to the Commonwealth observed a white male, approximately forty to fifty years old, inside a black BMW. This male was observed to have salt and pepper hair, and was wearing a white shirt, black athletic shorts, and black sunglasses. This male exited the motor vehicle while holding multiple items taken from the vehicle. The initial witness stated that she knew the vehicle’s owner and was certain that the male inside was not the owner of the MV. The suspect then fled South on Rush St. and then utilized a side street in fleeing east. A second witness stated she observed the suspect to be in possession of a draw string back pack as he fled.

        The vehicle owner, XXXXX informed me that several items were missing from his vehicle. Notably was a DeWalt Drill which was part of a set valued at $300, and $200 Cash. Also taken was a gold plated whistle, various coins, and food that the XXXXX planned to donate. It appeared the suspect had dropped a few items of his own. An Iphone of an unknown owner was recovered. Also recovered was a MASS DTA Card belonging to a Robert Galvin, and an AARP Letter addressed to a resident of 22 Mt. Pleasant St. in Somerville, MA. A search of SPD records revealed that a Robert Galvin was known to reside at 22 Mt. Pleasant St. 

        While speaking to Mr. Galvin in front of the Laundromat and processing these facts, I believed that Mr. Galvin was the suspect involved in the car break on Rush St. As Officer Goncalves began to enter the business to speak with other patrons, I was alone with Mr. Galvin. As I suspected Mr. Galvin of having committed a felony, and as I knew the suspect in the incident was a flight risk, I placed Mr. Galvin into handcuffs for the safety of all on scene. I then explained to Mr. Galvin that he was being detained as a suspect. Officer St. Hilaire then arrived on scene and secured Mr. Galvin as I entered the Laundromat.

        YYYYY, an employee of the business led me to Mr. Galvin’s belongings. I observed a paper grocery style bag, and a clear plastic bag filled with laundry. In the grocery bag I was able to see boxed food and various items. I then removed the plastic laundry bag from the cart it was resting in. I observed this bag to feel heavy as if it were weighted. As I placed the bag on the floor I heard an audible thump and also felt the heavy item impact the floor. As I moved the bag I was able to see part of a black and yellow drill in the bottom of the clear laundry bag and partially folded within a black and purple bag.

        At this point arrangements were made for a witness show up. During this time, the victim arrived on scene. I’d like to note that the victim was not requested to the scene. Upon arrival he identified a DeWalt drill in the bag as his own. The victim was asked to leave the scene as a search was conducted. A set of two DeWalt Drills were found within the laundry bag. They are valued at $300 and both drills and their batteries were marked with the victim’s initials: W.E. A GPS valued at $50, a gold plated whistle and Court paperwork bearing XXXXX’s name was also recovered from Mr. Galvin’s belongings and identified as belonging to XXXXX.

        A show up was conducted by officer Goncalves, and the witness positively identified Mr. Galvin as the individual who broke into XXXXX’s car in the driveway of 12 Rush St. During the show up every effort was made to minimize police presence in the area. Officer’s kept their distance as Mr, Glavin stood in the illuminated doorway of the business and was facing the street.

        Mr. Galvin was then placed under arrest for breaking and entering into a motor vehicle with the intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250. I then informed him of his rights pursuant to Miranda from a card I keep on my person. Mr. Galvin stated that he understood his rights.

 

        Respectfully submitted,

 

            Patrolman Christopher Collette, B#302