Stoneham Oaks suffers multiple robberies
Published on July 20th, 2005
For the third time in a six week span, the Stoneham Oaks golf course clubhouse adjacent to Montvale Ave. was robbed this week and things took an ugly turn this time around.
According to Stoneham Police, a white male described as 5-10 with a goatee wearing a white T-shirt and jeans walked into the clubhouse at approximately 7:15 p.m. last Friday evening and reportedly punched the golf course employee in the eye.
The suspect then took all the money (approximately $900 in cash) from the cash drawer and left the employee bleeding and dazed as he left the store. Stoneham Police and emergency medical officials reported to the scene and treated the employee, who was then taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for a nasty gash over his eye.
"This isn't somewhere that you'd expect to be a big robbery target, but they're hitting it at times when there aren't a lot of people around," said Stoneham Police Lt. Rick McCarthy.
This marks the third time Stoneham Oaks has been the target of a robbery in a short period of time, and the second instance where suspects got away with nearly $1000 in cash.
"The word is obviously out on the street that this is a place to hit," said Stoneham Police Lt. Rick McCarthy. "We're trying to work with the town on this and help prevent it from happening again. The first two times the suspects broke into the clubhouse after they were closed for the evening, but this one was a lot more brazen."
"They'll keep coming back now until they're caught or they find that there's no way they can get any money," added McCarthy.
The incidents began six weeks ago when a group of suspects reportedly broke into the clubhouse after hours, busted into the cash register and left with nearly $1,000 that was left behind in the cash drawer.
A second break-in attempt netted the suspects only $30 and may have prompted the third attempt - which ended with a violent assault and a third robbery.
According to Stoneham Police sources, a discussion with Town Administrator Ron Florino brought forth the idea of a security surveillance system is now being installed at both Stoneham Oaks and the rear of the Stoneham Arena to discourage the criminal activity, and the Stoneham Police are expected to patrol the area more fervently than before.
"You can bet we're going to up there more often," said McCarthy.
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