Crime & Safety

Waltham Police Dog Captures Man Who Fled Police in Newton

The incident started Monday afternoon around 5 p.m. and involved a brief chase in Auburndale.

A Waltham Police dog assisted Newton Police in capturing a man who led them on a chase through Newton on July 9.

A motorcyclist who reportedly upset a female outside led police on a brief chase through Auburndale Monday afternoon before he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

Thomas Gregory, 35, of 12 Lower Brook Road in Sparrowbush, New York, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, violation of an abuse prevention order, failure to stop for police and resisting arrest. Gregory was also cited for a number of traffic violations.

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According to police reports, officers were dispatched to Newton City Hall Monday afternoon for a female reportedly crying in the street. Although it was not clear what was said, the woman became upset after a man on a motorcycle approached her.

The motorcyclist (later identified as Gregory) was described as a white male in his 30s wearing a black tank top and black skull helmet. According to scanner reports from Monday afternoon, the incident happened on the Homer Street side of City Hall.

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As a result of the incident, Newton Police began canvassing the city to look for Gregory, who was initially just wanted for questioning. 

A few minutes after the incident, though, police received reports of an erratic operator riding a motorcycle in Auburndale, reports said. The description matched that of Gregory and police responded to the area. 

Officers located Gregory on Commonwealth Avenue heading westbound on Washington Street. After the sergeant activated his emergency blue lights, Gregory sped up on his motorcycle and drove down Commonwealth Avenue toward Auburndale, weaving in and out of traffic.

Due to Gregory's high speed, police decided to call off the car chase, reports said.

A few minutes later, residents on Williston Road and Leighton Road reported seeing Gregory and the motorcycle. A resident on Oakwood Road reported finding a motorcycle with a New York registration parked in his/her garage and Gregory was seen fleeing down Oakwood Road on foot.

According to scanner reports from Monday afternoon, one resident on Central Street reported that a man (matching Gregory's description) was banging on the back window of a home, asking to be let in.

Police responded to the Leighton Road/Central Street area, where they spotted Gregory and chased him on foot briefly before they lost sight of him. A perimeter was then set up and a Waltham Police K-9 was called in to help with the search. 

The dog quickly picked up the scent and led police to bushes on Leighton Road. Gregory then emerged from the bushes and led police on another foot chase on Leighton Road. This time, officers managed to apprehend Gregory and placed him under arrest. 

This information was supplied by the Newton Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.


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