While conducting a walking patrol in Davis Square at approximately 5:18 PM on Thursday, May 8, 2025, I was approached by numerous citizens who alerted me to a male across the street causing a disturbance and breaking items.

I observed a male, later identified as Mathew Podymaitis, in front of Mike's Restaurant at 9 Davis Square. He was acting erratically- shouting, flailing his arms, and behaving in a disruptive manner. I observed several newsstands that had been knocked over and flowers from a nearby planter strewn across the ground.

It should be noted that I encountered Mr. Podymaitis the previous day exhibiting similar behavior, and several citizens had also complained to me about his conduct at that time.

I radioed dispatch to report the situation. Officers Edna DaCosta (W-7) and Doug Brioso (R-6) responded as backup. As I approached Mr. Podymaitis, he fled and ran toward oncoming traffic. I ordered him to return to the sidewalk, and he eventually complied.

Upon arrival, Officer DaCosta was flagged down by both customers and the owner of Mike's Restaurant, XXXX. They reported that Mr. Podymaitis had picked up three separate metal stanchion posts used to section off the sidewalk seating area and smashed them on the ground, causing them to break. Witnesses also stated that he picked up one of the stanchions and gestured as if he was going to throw it through the restaurant window, where customers were seated, causing fear among patrons and staff.

Additionally, Mr. Podymaitis was seen kicking over newsstands, ripping plants from a nearby flower pot, throwing them at passing vehicles, and screaming at pedestrians.

While Officer DaCosta interviewed witnesses, I spoke with Mr. Podymaitis in an effort to assess his mental state. I asked him repeatedly whether he was experiencing a psychiatric episode, or if he had any mental health or substance abuse issues that might explain his behavior. Despite being erratic and escalated in his demeanor, Mr. Podymaitis was lucid, coherent, and able to correctly answer all of my questions.

I asked if he had any intent to harm himself or others, what the date was, and whether he knew his location, all of which he answered accurately. When asked about the reason for his behavior, he stated that he was angry at the state of the world.

Due to Mr. Podymaitis' disruptive behavior in a busy public square, the fear and distress he caused to restaurant patrons and citizens, the damage to multiple pieces of property, and concern that his behavior was likely to continue, he was placed under arrest for malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Somerville Police Station in prisoner transport unit 200 by Officer Brian Clancy and booked in the usual manner by Lt. Salvatore Fusco.

Respectfully submitted,

Officer Mark McLaughlin