Latest news with #CambridgePolice
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Person sexually assaulted by 2 people in ski masks in Harvard Square, leaving residents on edge
Residents are on high alert in Cambridge, Massachusetts after someone was sexually assaulted by two people in Harvard Square late Thursday night. Students at Harvard University said they got an alert from campus police about the attack. Attackers wearing ski masks and gloves "That's not something I thought could happen to anybody in Harvard Square," said Cambridge resident Daniel Paydarfar. "That somebody was grabbed into an alleyway." "I was pretty shocked," said Harvard student Renee Perpignan. "Because usually it's very safe." Cambridge Police said the attack happened just before midnight Thursday in Harvard Square. The victim was approached by two people with black ski masks and gloves on – and forced into an alleyway, where they were sexually assaulted. "That's pretty horrifying that it could happen in like a usually very populated and well-lit area," Paydarfar said. "It was pretty horrifying to read." Residents taking precautions Terrifying because the area is surrounded by dorms and student apartments. It's along a path that many Cambridge neighbors take to get to and from work. That initial feeling of safety – tested after this sexual assault. People who live in the area said it's a reminder to use the buddy system and to never walk home alone late at night. "We try to go with a friend if possible, but usually it's totally fine if we're coming home as late as 3, 4:00 a.m.," Perpignan said. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment as Cambridge Police try to identify the two attackers. There's been no word of any arrests.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Police condemn ‘hurtful' rumours spread over child deaths in Cambridge
Waikato Police said investigations into both incidents were being made on behalf of the Coroner, who would make findings based on the facts. The police asked that people refrain from publicly sharing 'theories' and 'rumours' that are not based on fact. 'We have been made aware of some of these theories that are far removed from the facts. It is both unhelpful and hurtful to the grieving families.' Sergeant Greg Foster of Cambridge Police said the deaths were tragedies. 'Over the two incidents, emergency services from our local Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade, ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and local Cambridge Police attended. I am extremely proud of the urgency, professionalism and care shown by everyone in the most difficult of situations. Their actions have undoubtedly saved lives.' Foster said the families have expressed their gratitude for the efforts of all that were involved. The Schick family have started a Givealittle page to raise money for emergency services that responded to the crash. 'Rod, Oli & Jack who were rescued at the scene would love to personally distribute all funds to the amazing emergency services, Cambridge Fire Brigade, Hato Hone St John Ambulance and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust who were truly amazing in our time of need. A huge thanks also to our local Police who were fantastic,' the family said. The family said they have been overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support shown at this extremely difficult time. -RNZ
Otago Daily Times
15-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Police condemn 'hurtful' rumours over child deaths in Cambridge
Jimmy Schick was killed in an ATV crash near Cambridge last weekend. Photo: Supplied/Windsor Park Stud Police in Waikato have asked people to stop sharing untrue theories and rumours following the deaths of two children in Cambridge last weekend. A 14-year-old girl died after a house fire on Brennan Place, Cambridge on Saturday night. On Sunday, 10-year-old Jimmy Schick died in an all-terrain vehicle crash on French Pass Rd outside Cambridge. Three others were seriously injured in the accident. Police said they were investigating both incidents on behalf of the Coroner, who would make findings based on the facts. They asked that people refrain from publicly sharing "theories" and "rumours" that were not based on fact. "We have been made aware of some of these theories that are far removed from the facts. It is both unhelpful and hurtful to the grieving families." Sergeant Greg Foster said the deaths were tragedies. "Over the two incidents, emergency services from our local Cambridge volunteer fire brigade, ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and local Cambridge Police attended. I am extremely proud of the urgency, professionalism and care shown by everyone in the most difficult of situations. Their actions have undoubtedly saved lives." Foster said the families had expressed their gratitude for the efforts of all that were involved. The Schick family have started a Givealittle page to raise money for emergency services that responded to the crash. "Rod, Oli & Jack who were rescued at the scene would love to personally distribute all funds to the amazing emergency services, Cambridge Fire Brigade, Hato Hone St John Ambulance and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust who were truly amazing in our time of need. A huge thanks also to our local Police who were fantastic," the family said. The family said they have been overwhelmed and extremely grateful for "the outpouring of love and support shown at this extremely difficult time".
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- RNZ News
Police condemn 'hurtful' rumours spread over child deaths in Cambridge
Jimmy Schick, who was killed in an ATV crash at Karapiro on 11 May 2025. Photo: Supplied/Windsor Park Stud Waikato Police have asked people to stop sharing untrue theories and rumours following the death of two children in Cambridge last weekend. A 14-year-old girl died after a house fire on Brennan Place, Cambridge on Saturday night. On Sunday, 10-year-old Jimmy Schick died in an all-terrain vehicle crash on French Pass Road outside of Cambridge. Three others were seriously injured in the accident. Waikato Police said it was conducting investigations into both incidents on behalf of the Coroner who would make findings based on the facts. It asked that people refrain from publicly sharing "theories" and "rumours" that are not based on fact. "We have been made aware of some of these theories that are far removed from the facts. It is both unhelpful and hurtful to the grieving families." Sergeant Greg Foster of Cambridge Police said the deaths were tragedies. "Over the two incidents emergency services from our local Cambridge volunteer fire brigade, ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and local Cambridge Police attended. I am extremely proud of the urgency, professionalism and care shown by everyone in the most difficult of situations. Their actions have undoubtedly saved lives." Foster said the families have expressed their gratitude for the efforts of all that were involved. The Schick family have started a Give a Little page to raise money for emergency services that responded to the crash. "Rod, Oli & Jack who were rescued at the scene would love to personally distribute all funds to the amazing emergency services, Cambridge Fire Brigade, Hato Hone St John Ambulance and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust who were truly amazing in our time of need. A huge thanks also to our local Police who were fantastic," the family said. The family said they have been overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support shown at this extremely difficult time. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner got in touch with ‘brothel phone' 432 times, police report says
Texts between a phone registered to Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner and a local 'brothel phone' typically began with Toner, a more frequent patron of the high-end brothel ring, asking about women who are available for sex, according to a Cambridge Police report. 'Are any of your ladies Tiki, Jessica or Acua free at 2:00 today?' Toner allegedly texted the brothel scheduler on June 14, 2023. 'Acua available at 2 15pm,' the brothel scheduler responded. 'Tiki 1pm last call today, Jessica not here yet.' 'Tiki at 1,' Toner texted back before booking a 1-hour service for $340 dubbed the 'girlfriend experience' with the brothel at 90 Fawcett St. in Cambridge. The texts are among 432 communications made between Toner's cell phone and a phone used to run the brothel network. Investigators uncovered the texts after executing a federal search warrant of the 'brothel phone,' Detective Agrait Collazo wrote in his report. The 60-year-old Toner, a former president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association who previously taught social studies to middle schoolers, paid for sex at least 13 times over roughly a seven-month period, between February and September of 2023, police wrote in their report. On Monday night, during the Cambridge City Council meeting, Toner read an apology letter to his fellow councilors and to the community. 'You've all heard the news concerning my personal legal matters,' Toner said. 'First, I'm ashamed to have my name associated with this case. I would like to apologize to my fellow councilors, my supporters, and the community for taking up the time of the council and the public discourse on this matter.' 'All Americans, included elected officials, are entitled to the right to due process, but some have already judged and convicted me,' Toner said. 'As this is an ongoing legal matter, I will not contest the statements circulating in the community regarding this case in this forum. Because it is now before the court, I have been advised to not to make any comment on details related to this matter.' Toner said he is grateful for the support of his family and friends and voters who say he should continue serving as a city councilor. 'I respect the institution of the Cambridge City Council, I have been an effective councilor who has carried out my official duties during my time in office to the best of my abilities,' Toner said. 'I am here because I have a duty to fulfill my obligations to the voters who elected me to represent their views on the many issues before the city council.' Toner agreed to pay for sex on several dates in 2023, according to the report: Feb. 16, April 2, May 13, May 23, June 14, June 28, July 16, Aug. 3, Aug. 13, Sept. 5, Sept. 14 and Sept. 28. In another text conversation on April 12, 2023, after being asked by the brothel scheduler to select a sex service, Toner allegedly wrote, 'I apologize. I have to reschedule. Work meeting just came up.' Toner, a father of two who is serving his second term as city councilor in Cambridge, and former Massachusetts General Hospital oncologist James Cusack Jr. are among 11 alleged brothel customers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire identified in court on Friday. Cusack is accused of paying for sex at least 16 times between March and November 2023. To date, Toner is the only public official among 28 accused sex buyers of the high-end brothel ring run out of buildings in Cambridge, Dedham, Watertown, and Virginia. Defense attorney Tim Flaherty appeared in court on Toner's behalf on Friday. After the court hearing, Flaherty said, 'Paul Toner is a person I've known my entire life. He's a man of high character. He loves his family, and his family loves him.' 'He's a hardworking city councilor, and the city of Cambridge is very fortunate to have him on the city council,' Flaherty said. According to prosecutors, women were shuttled to private rooms in luxury apartment buildings for commercial sex, and high-powered clients then frequented those sites in 'a criminal enterprise designed to thrive in the shadows,' the U.S. Attorney said. When scheduling sex services, sex buyers were asked to make 'donations' -- code to refer to a client paying for sex -- to sex workers, according to the police report. After making appointments, the men would again text the 'brothel phone' while going to their appointment and when arriving to the brothel location for sex, court documents show. 'At door,' Cusack allegedly wrote in a text to the 'brothel phone' while arriving for an appointment on March 21, 2023, the police report states, shortly followed by another text, 'In.' 'Rm 109. Enjoy,' the brothel scheduler responded. In another text conversation on June 14, 2023 with the 'brothel phone,' Toner allegedly asked, 'What is BB.' 'Bare back. No condom service,' the brothel scheduler texted back. Sex buyers were often saved in the brothel phone by their first name, race, and year of birth, police wrote in their report. For example, Toner was listed in the brothel phone, as translated from Korean to English, as 'Paulwhite60.' Investigators traced the communications from the brothel phone to Toner's phone, which was also listed as a point of contact for him on a recent campaign website for his run for public office. In a text conversation on April 17, 2023, 'Paulwhite60,″ later identified as Toner, texted the 'brothel phone' to ask if women with the stage names Tulip or Jisoo were available that night. 'For 1hr 4 45pm Jisoo. 5pm Tulip,' the brother scheduler responded. 'OK. Ok. Tulip. Cambridge?' Toner allegedly texted back. 'Yes,' the brother scheduler responded. 'OK. Send details,' Toner allegedly responded. 'Donations for Tulip or Jisoo,' the brother scheduler responded, then texted a list of sex services and fees. On that date, prosecutors said, Toner booked a one-hour 'girlfriend experience' appointment with Tulip for $340 at 5 p.m. at the Cambridge brothel location at 90 Fawcett St. 'In the area and parking,' Toner texted the 'brothel phone' closer to his appointment, followed by another text: 'At door.' 'Rm 109. Enjoy,' read a responding text from the 'brothel phone.' Police wrote that surveillance video captured Toner entering Room 109 at 4:59 p.m. on April 17, 2023 and exiting room 109 at approximately 5:51 p.m., 'consistent with the amount of time that Toner paid for commercial sex.' Cambridge District Court Clerk Sharon Casey found probable cause for all of the alleged sex buyers. The men identified in court on Friday hail from Bay State communities including Marblehead, Concord, Exeter, Belmont, Cambridge and Charlestown. While none of the men appeared in court, Casey informed their counsel that she would file charges against all of them. All of the men will be required to show their faces at their next hearings in several weeks or warrants will be issued for their arrest, Casey said. On Friday, along with Cusack and Toner, Casey approved criminal complaints against the following nine other men: Nathaniel Welch of Concord; Frederick Rosenthal of Marblehead; Timothy Ackerson of Waltham; Matthew Fulton of Belmont; Howard Redmond of Tewksbury; Anurag Bajpayee of Cambridge; Paul Grant of Charlestown; Steven Riel of Laconia, N.H. and Jeffrey Henry, of Exeter, N.H. On March 14, a dozen accused sex buyers, from communities including Winchester, Lincoln, Concord, Newton, and Waltham, were identified in court. They included: Jonathan Lanfear, 56, of Winchester; Patrick Walsh , 66, of Swampscott; Pinhao Chao of Newton; David LaCava, 47, of Waltham; Jason Han, 29, of Concord; John Doran, 75, of Wellesley; Pablo Domingo Maceira, 39, of Roslindale; Peter MacGillivray, 60, of Boston; Yihong Zou, 30, of Boston; Boya Zhou, 27, of West Roxbury; Kerry Wu, 54, of Natick; and Mark Zhu, 29, of Lincoln. Han and Zhu were the only two accused sex buyers who appeared in court during the first round of hearings. Attorneys for the Boston-area 'John Does' identified in the black books of the sophisticated interstate high-end brothel network have desperately tried to keep their identities private, arguing that revealing their names violates their privacy. The phone subscription of Fulton, one of the accused sex buyers, was linked to MIT by Cambridge Police, investigators said. 'Fulton agreed with another that is user of the brothel phone to engage in commercial sex with an unidentified female with the stage name Tiki for 60 minutes for the price of $540,' Cambridge Police Lt. Jarred Cabral said during Friday's hearing. In 2023, then-acting Boston U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said the clientele of the brothels included politicians, big pharma executives, government contractors with security clearances, professors, lawyers, accountants, and scientists. 'These are mere allegations. All of my clients are presumed innocent under the law,' said defense attorney Lorraine Belostock. The public court hearings have drawn supporters of victims of the commercial sex industry, who said the alleged sex buyers should be held accountable. 'When you were interacting with your phone, trying to get these services, like these women are a merchandise, they're not. They're human beings,' Ivette Monge of Ready Inspire Act said Friday. In November 2023, authorities arrested Han Lee, Junmyung Lee, and James Lee on charges of running a commercial sex network in Watertown, Cambridge, and Virginia, where buyers paid up to $600 per hour for a wide array of advertised sex acts. Han Lee, the 42-year-old leader interstate commercial sex ring, was sentenced recently to four years in prison followed by one year of supervised release. 'Han Lee didn't just recruit women to sell their bodies for sex – she built a criminal enterprise designed to thrive in the shadows, evading law enforcement while profiting off her victims like commodities,' U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said. Additional names are expected to be announced during the next round of probable cause hearings on Friday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
