Braintree Police Track Down Juvenile Predator

A Braintree detective, sergeant and officer have received commendations for their efforts in locating and arresting a man who allegedly touched a young female inappropriately last month at the South Shore Plaza.

Police Chief Russell Jenkins, in his commendation letter, said that Detective Thomas Molloy led the investigation into two incidents of an adult man groping juveniles at the Braintree mall eight days apart.

A young female reported the first attack on Dec. 6, Jenkins said. Another incident, involving the same man, happened Dec. 14. 

Molloy, Sergeant Phillip Yee and Officer Ryan McHugh interviewed victims and witnesses, traced the suspect to several stores, examined purchases and used surveillance video, eventually tracking him to a credit card purchase.

Police connected the man, whose name was not released and who is undergoing evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital, to multiple incidents of similar behavior in other communities, Jenkins said.

After arresting the man, he admitted to the two South Shore Plaza incident and an unreported third incident there, Jenkins said. Once released from the hospital, he faces a dangerousness hearing.

"I agree with Sergeant [Edward] Querzoli that through the coordinated efforts of Detective Molloy, Sergeant Yee and Office McHugh, a potential dangerous person was removed from the streets," Jenkins said in his letter.

"The actions of these officers likely saved another juvenile from being victimized by this predator," he continued. "All three officers went the extra mile to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion and their actions are a credit to both themselves and the Department.

Molloy will received eight hours time owed, and Yee and McHugh will receive four hours time owed each.

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