Cambridge Man Arrested After Attempting to Break In to Braintree Home

Robert H. Nickerson, 59, of Cambridge was arrested early Wednesday morning, June 25, after allegedly attempting to break in to a Cleveland Avenue home in Braintree, said police.  

The homeowner called around 1:30 a.m. to report that she saw a man holding a flashlight and attempted to get in through a rear glass slider. 

The homeowner called police shortly after 1:33 a.m. to report that she  a man holding a flashlight attempting to break into her home at her rear glass slider.   

Police saw Nickerson in the backyard, chasing him deeper into the yard and into a wooded area behind the house. Nickerson wrapped his arms around an officer's neck and tried to choke him when they caught up with him, said police. During the struggle, Nickerson reached at the officer’s belt, and the officer said he feared he'd be disarmed. 

A second officer arrived to assist and together, the two officers struggled to control Nickerson while he kicked at both of them, striking the second officer in the leg. Additional officers arrived to assist and took Nickerson into custody.  Neither officer suffered serious injury.  

“Our officers were engaged in a violent struggle with a career criminal whose only concern was to escape by whatever means necessary,” said Chief Russell Jenkins.  “We are grateful that this incident did not turn tragic and thankful that Nickerson is in custody and unable to terrorize other homeowners.”  

Nickerson was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, attempted murder, trespass, resisting arrest and attempt to commit a crime.  

Later that morning, a second Cleveland Avenue homeowner reported that an attempt was made overnight to break into his house. Officers also investigated one overnight housebreak and an attempted overnight break into two homes on nearby Holmes Street on June 17.  Investigators have no evidence to link these breaks to Nickerson at this time.