Church Offices Ransacked, Doors Kicked Open and Laptops Stolen During Reported Break-In

The following information comes from the Arlington Police Department. When arrests are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Church Offices Ransacked, Doors Kicked Open and Laptops Stolen During Reported Break-In

Police responded to Park Avenue Congregational Church at about 9:21 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28, to investigate a break-in that had reportedly taken place sometime during the previous night.

Once there, police learned that a number of doors inside the church had been kicked in and damaged and that several large metal storage units had been pried open and damaged, as well as a safe.

In addition, the church’s offices had been ransacked, according to police. A backpack had been dumped out and filing cabinets and storage units and drawers had been gone through and strewn about, police said.

In one office, a laptop and netbook had reportedly been taken.

Police believe the church was entered through a window in the main lobby. The entire church, from the basement, to the main lobby and altar, to the upstairs offices, had been gone through, police said.

Nothing appeared to be missing except for the laptops, the pastor told police. He said he was last in the building at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

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Percussion Bell Set Reported Stolen from Ottoson

A mother came into the police station at about 4:11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, to report that her daughter’s percussion bell set had been stolen from Ottoson Middle School sometime last May.

The instrument was in the school’s music storage area, and it’s worth about $320, she said. 

Car Reported Stolen on Webster Street

A Webster Street resident called police at about 7:10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, to report that her gray Chevrolet sedan had been stolen.

The woman said she last saw the vehicle in her driveway at about 3 p.m. the previous day. She said the vehicle’s doors were locked and there were no keys in the car.

The car had two bumper stickers, “My brother is a Marine,” and “My son is in the Air Force,” she said. It also had a candy cane mounted on its front grill.

Notable Incidents from Friday, Jan. 25, to Tuesday, Jan. 29

Tuesday, Jan. 29

8:34 p.m., Watermill Place, Larceny from a building

2:27 p.m., Clark Street, Neighbor problem

9:13 a.m., Warren Street, Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle

8:07 a.m., Egerton and Herbert roads, Motor vehicle crash with injury

Monday, Jan. 28

9:37 p.m., Mass. Ave., Suspicious condition

6:27 p.m., Cheviot Road, Identity fraud

4:11 p.m., Ottoson Middle School, Acton Street, Larceny from a building (see above)

9:21 a.m., Park Avenue Congregational Church, Paul Revere Road, Breaking and entering at night for felony (see above)

Sunday, Jan. 27

9:44 p.m., Kenilworth Road, Breaking and entering at night for felony

4:48 p.m., Mass. Ave. and Mill Street, Motor vehicle crash with injury

1:16 p.m., Daniels Street, Larceny over $250

Saturday, Jan. 26

9:08 p.m., Municipal lot, Mystic Street, Person under 21 possessing liquor

2:19 p.m., Mass. Ave. and Mill Street, Injury on town property, fall

Friday, Jan. 25

7:52 p.m., Paul Revere Road, Water leak

7:10 a.m., Webster Street, Larceny of a motor vehicle (see above)