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Officer Robert
Hoffman Named
February Employee of the Month
 On
January 1, 2002
, at approximately 0348 hours, Officer
Robert Hoffman was assigned to patrol the area A section of town. While
turning onto to the on-ramp of Route 9, Officer Hoffman observed a
vehicle parked at the 9 & 27
Shopping
Plaza
against the
Wilson
Middle School
fence, and a man walk out from behind
Staples who appeared to be looking at the construction trailers on the
opposite side of the fence. Knowing the
Wilson
School
is under construction, and that the
trailers have been both vandalized and broken into in the past, Officer
Hoffman circled back and advised Natick Control of suspicious activity.
Upon his arrival, Officer Hoffman questioned the suspect as to his
business in the area.
The Jamaica Plain man claimed to be out on a ride cooling off from a
fight with his girlfriend and was going to the bathroom behind the
building. When questioned as to why he was so far away from the
building, the man stated he was looking at a shopping cart. The
dispatcher then informed Officer Hoffman that the vehicle was
registered, but had been checked many times in the past month by other
departments. The suspect’s license came back as currently suspended. A
Board Of Probation check revealed the suspect was currently on probation
for B&E and receiving stolen property. Because the suspect was not
observed driving the vehicle, he could not be charged. Officer Hoffman
transported him to the station to arrange for transportation home.
At 0550 hours while patrolling Area A, from the overpass of 27, Officer
Hoffman observed the same vehicle at the 9 & 27
Shopping
Plaza
in front of Staples, back up at a high rate of speed in front of Radio
Shack. Officer Hoffman then proceeded to the parking lot where he
observed the vehicle with the rear door open and the suspect put down a
box and hide behind a pillar.
Officer Hoffman then observed the front window of Radio Shack was
smashed and immediately requested back up. The suspect was arrested and
charged with B&E in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony to
wit; larceny, along with several other charges. Officer Hoffman
recovered a RCA Digital Surround Sound System valued at $299. Officer
Hoffman’s actions illustrate the importance of thoroughness in
investigations and reflect credit on himself and the Natick Police
Department.
For
his diligence, keen observation skills, and excellent police work,
Officer Hoffman is hereby commended and named Employee
of the Month for February 2002. Dennis
R. Mannix
Chief of Police |
