Police are searching for a suspect they believe attacked three women in separate incidents in South Boston in recent weeks. The suspect pushed the women to the ground and stole their purses, police said. All three women were walking alone in the early evening. The muggings took place in the area between Dorchester Heights and City Point. The suspect is about 6 feet tall, in his early 20s with a medium build and brown hair, according to police. The most recent attack occurred Wednesday at 10 p.m. on a woman who was walking home. Before that, another woman was attacked on Oct. 24 after she got out of a cab near O and East 7th streets at 10:30 p.m., and the first attack happened on Oct. 22 at 7:40 p.m. when a woman was waiting for a bus near P and East 4th Streets.
Mass. General further restricts visitors
The growing number of swine flu cases among its patients has prompted Massachusetts General Hospital to expand restrictions on visitors. Last week the hospital barred children from its obstetrics unit because they are more susceptible to the flu. Beginning Monday, those 18 and under are asked not to come to the hospital unless they are patients, Debra Burke, associate chief nurse, said yesterday. She urged people with flu symptoms and anyone who has been around someone sick with the flu to stay away, unless they are patients.
BELMONT
High school senior is killed by train
An 18-year-old Belmont High School senior was struck and killed by a commuter rail train yesterday, officials said. The young woman walked onto the tracks behind the high school at 12:40 p.m. and was struck by an inbound train on the Fitchburg Line, said Joseph O’Connor, MBTA transit police spokesman. Michael Harvey, Belmont High School principal, said grief counselors will be at the school today.
BROCKTON
BMW driver allegedly tried to abduct girl
Police seek a man they say tried to abduct a 12-year-old girl on her way to school Tuesday. The seventh-grader reported that a man in his late 20s to early 30s shouted from a black BMW sedan and got out and grabbed her backpack strap. The girl ran to a nearby home. Police said the suspect is a 5-foot-7-inch black male with a heavy build and dreadlocks. They encouraged anyone with information to call 508-941-0200.
GLOUCESTER
Study says tours OK for humpback babies
Research published by Gloucester-based scientists says whale watch boats have no negative effect on the reproductive process or mortality of humpback whale calves in the Gulf of Maine. The findings by the Whale Center of New England were published in the journal Biological Conservation. Mason Weinrich, senior author of the study, told The Gloucester Daily Times that scientists looked at more than a quarter century of data on 300 reproductive females and more than 500 calves. (AP)
AMHERST
Town votes to host cleared Cuba detainees
Amherst voted to invite two men detained at Guantanamo Bay to resettle in the community, if they are cleared of terrorism ties and released. Town Meeting called on Congress Wednesday to repeal the ban on allowing cleared detainees to live in the United States. Selectman Gerry Weiss spoke in favor of granting asylum to cleared detainees to make amends for unjust suffering. But Stephanie O’Keeffe, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, said she is worried that the gesture could be misinterpreted as sympathy for terrorists. (AP)
YARMOUTH
Girlfriend of man killed by police files suit
The girlfriend of a man shot dead by a Yarmouth police officer after a car chase has sued the town and the officer in US District Court in Boston. Camila Campos contends that Officer Christopher Van Ness used excessive force when he shot Andre Luiz de Castro Martins in July 2008 and that the town did not properly train Van Ness. (AP)
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