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On September 2, 2010 at approximately 1:30am, officers from District A-1 (Downtown Boston ) responded to a radio call for a person stabbed at the corner of North St and Blackstone St.
On arrival, officers observed two male victims, both 22 years old, being treated by Boston EMS for stab wounds. Both victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. After speaking with witnesses, officers broadcast a description of the suspect.
Shortly thereafter, officers stopped 3 white males in the area of the North End. One of the three suspects matched the description given. The suspect was seen to have blood on his shirt and was sweating profusely. The suspect was brought back to the scene where he was indentified as the perpetrator.
Joseph Febbo 28 of Everettwas place under arrest for Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon.
The Boston Police are investigating a recent report of an assault and battery in the North End which occurred on August 21, 2010. Since that time, two additional women have come forward to report that they were approached by an individual with a similar description. Based on those descriptions, Boston Police are seeking to identify the individual portrayed in these two composite sketches. At this time, Boston Police believe that this is the same person.
The Boston Police would also like to take this opportunity to remind citizens, especially women, to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times.
Incident Description:
At about 3:20am, on Saturday, August 21, 2010, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an assault & battery in progress in the area of 196 Salem Street. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that she was sitting on the front steps of the above mentioned address when a male (described as a Hispanic male in his mid-twenties, about 5’10” tall, medium build, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans) approached her and asked for a light. According to the victim, she and the suspect spoke for about 2 to 3 minutes and then she got up to leave. When she turned her back to go, the victim states that the suspect grabbed her from behind in what she described as a choke hold. At this point, the victim says she began screaming and the suspect let her go and took off on foot.
At about 1:55am on August 20, 2010, a female victim reported that she was near her residence on Charter Street when she was approached by an unknown male described as Hispanic, 25 years old, medium build. 5’ 9’’ and spiked hair. The suspect began to ask her questions which made her uncomfortable. The victim’s friend came outside and the suspect then fled towards Hanover Street.
At about 11:17pm on August 22, 2010, a female victim reports that she was in the area of Unity Street when a Hispanic male, 5’ 11’’ in a purple Lakers cap, approached her and began asking her questions. The victim fled towards Charter Street.
Contact Us:
The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Area A-1 detectives at (617) 343-4248.
BPDNews.com posted the following report of a woman being attacked on Salem Street in the early morning hours around 3:30 am on Saturday, August 21st. The man attempted to choke the woman before her screams scared him away. There is no word if this assault is connected to previous attacks on woman in the North End. Residents are also invited to the NEWNC Public Safety meeting next week on September 2nd, 6:30pm with the Boston Police at the Nazzaro Center.
Below is the full report from Boston Police:
The Boston Police are investigating a recent report of an assault and battery in the North End. The Boston Police would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens, especially women, to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times.
Incident Description:
At about 3:30am, on Saturday, August 21, 2010, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an assault & battery in progress in the area of 200 Salem Street. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that she was sitting on the front steps in the area of the above mentioned address when a male (described as a Hispanic male in his mid-twenties, about 5’10” tall, medium build, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans) approached her and asked for a light. According to the victim, she and the suspect spoke for about 2 to 3 minutes and then she got up to leave. When she turned her back to go, the victim states that the suspect grabbed her from behind in what she described as a choke hold. At this point, the victim says she began screaming and the suspect let her go and took off on foot.
The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Area A-1 detectives at (617) 343-4248.
Community members who wish to assist this investigation anonymously can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is only interested in your information, not your identity.
*** NOTE: The Boston Police Department is appealing to local businesses in and around the area of the incident and asking them to provide or make available any private security video that could be useful in this investigation.
TIPS FOR ENSURING YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY:
Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
When parking, exiting or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.
Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles.
Don’t become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device.
Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.
Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use it. Yelling, “Fire!” “Help!” and/or “Rape!” are other ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
Carry a cell phone in the event of an emergency.
Call ahead to your destination and alert them that you’re en route. Make sure they expect you at a certain time. If you fail to show up on time, they’ll know enough to begin looking for you.
Walk with confidence. Be assertive. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts.
Know this: anyone at anytime can be a victim of crime. Don’t assume, “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.”
If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to scare, distract, or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape.
If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant or residence.
Assault & Battery 01/03/10 5:15pm Female victim reports a group of males harassed her on N. Bennet St., then threw snowballs at her striking her in the back causing a bruise.
The news media is out in force reporting Saturday night's attack outside the Nazzaro Center on N. Bennet Street (Polcari Playground). The latest details of the attack and community alert can be found at this previous post: Nazzaro Center Attack - Jack the Kisser?
Universal Hub makes the important point that the description of the suspect is very similar to the attack from last April: Click here
One of the more creepy video reports is from TV5/BostonChannel where the reporter guides random women from the street into the courtyard in front of the Nazzaro Center and acts out the assault up until the kissing part. Click here
Michael Ratty tweets a photo of the news vans parked outside the Nazzaro Center tonight: Click here
And a video clip from the Fox 25 Newscast with Alison Bologna:
Boston Police have released more information on Saturday's knife assault on a 39 year-old woman in the area of the Nazzaro Center on N. Bennet Street. (See the community alert posted below.) Officers have statements from a witness and the victim. The attacker is described as a short, Hispanic -looking male (5'5", possibly Black Hispanic) who approached the victim in conversation, pulled her towards him, showed a knife and tried to kiss her. After a brief struggle, the suspect fled towards Hanover Street. The victim says the assault took place in the court yard of the Nazzaro Community Center. The Sexual Assault Unit is investigating the case and anyone with information should call (617) 343-4400.
This is the seventh unsolved assault against women in the North End in the last 3 years, with the most similar occuring in April 2009 when a woman fought off a similarly described attacker. There was also an incident in August 2009 (Police Release Sketch of North End Flasher) and mid-December with an attempted armed robbery on Commercial Street (Attempted Armed Robbery in North End). Late December also brought a robbery at knife-point at the Hanover St. 7-Eleven store (Hanover St. 7-Eleven Robbed at Knife Point). The police believe it is too early in the investigation to connect Saturday's incident to the previous attacks.
REMINDER: This month's Public Safety meeting is scheduled on Thursday, January 7th at 6:30pm at the Nazzaro Center, sponsored by NEWNC and the Boston Police who will be in attendance. This meeting is open to the public and interested residents should attend.
The official report issued by Boston Police:
COMMUNITY ALERT
BOSTON POLICE INVESTIGATE REPORT OF INDECENT ASSAULT & BATTERY IN THE NORTH END
At about 10:30pm, on Saturday, January 2, 2010, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an assault & battery in the area of N. Bennet Street. On arrival, officers spoke to a witness who stated that the victim approached her and stated that she had been assaulted. Officers spoke to the victim who stated that she was walking home when a short, Hispanic-looking male approached her and began talking to her. The victim says the suspect suddenly pulled her towards him, showed a knife and attempted to kiss her. After a brief struggle, the victim says the suspect fled on foot towards Hanover Street. The victim says the assault took place in the court yard of the Nazzaro Community Center.
The victim describes the suspect as being short about 5'5" and Hispanic (possibly Black Hispanic).
The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sexual Assault Unit at (617) 343-4400.
Community members who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous manner can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is interested only in your information, not your identity.
TIPS FOR ENSURING PERSONAL SAFETY • Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. • When parking, walking or returning to your car, travel in well-lit and populated areas. • Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility. • Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles. Don’t become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device. • Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know. • Keep a whistle within reach. If threatened, use the whistle to signal residents for help. Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” or “Rape!” are ways of drawing attention and alerting people of your situation. • Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker. • Carry a cell phone and call ahead to your destination to alert them that you’re on the way. Make sure you’re expected at a certain time, so in the event you fail to show up, those expecting you will know enough to begin looking for you. • Walk with confidence. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Anyone at anytime can be a victim of crime so never assume, "IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME." • If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to defend, distract, or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape. • If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk towards an open store, restaurant or residence.
According to a report via the North End/Waterfront Mothers Association (NEWMA) group, there was an attack at approximately 9:15 pm on Saturday night (1/2/10) in the yard at the North End's Nazzaro Community Center at 30 N. Bennet Street.
"A woman was assaulted with a knife last night in the Nazarro Center yard. Be careful and do not walk alone or let friends, neighbors, family, babysitters walk alone at night."