9-07-2022 12:31am

Police Log: Landscaper Finds a Buried Revolver, Porch Piracy and More

Darlene Cancell Editor

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

The news described in Westwood Minute's Police Log article is primarily based on selected information from the Westwood Police Department's daily log and information provided by Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and police staff. Occasionally, a few facts from other sources may be woven into these stories.

Monday, September 5th

Target Shoplifter Positively Identified

8:46 a.m. Police were dispatched to Target to speak with security personnel about shoplifting that occurred over the weekend. The incident happened on Saturday, September 3rd, and was captured on video. Store security was able to positively identify the shoplifter because he previously had been charged or arrested for shoplifting at other Target locations.

The shoplifter, a man from Mashpee, was seen entering the University Station Wegmans with an empty cart. He placed women’s clothing and merchandise into the cart, along with a Bluetooth speaker, and two electric scooters. He exited the store with his cart of items, without paying. The value of the items was over $1,300. This case is being turned to detectives for follow-up.

Sunday, September 4th

One Thing Leads to Another

7:37 p.m. A police officer was traveling south on I-95 near the East Street rotary when a vehicle passed in the left lane at 85 m.p.h. The speed limit was 55 m.p.h.

The officer made the traffic stop and determined that in addition to speeding, the driver had a suspended license. The officer issued a citation for both. A passenger in the vehicle, who had a valid license, drove the vehicle from the scene.

Saturday, September 3rd

Porch Piracy

11:10 a.m. A resident of Edgewood Road reported having a delivery stolen. She placed an order for a book on August 17, 2022. When it didn’t arrive, she contacted the seller who informed her it had been delivered on August 22nd by USPS. She confirmed with the post office that this was indeed the case. The book was worth $45.

Vandalism at Citizens Bank

5:41 p.m. An officer was conducting a property check of 200 Station Drive, the address of Citizens Bank, when he noticed debris at the corner of the lot. Upon examination, he found graffiti defacing the pavement and several light poles. Someone had used red and white spray paint to create words and images, some of which were sexual in content. There were also names painted in the graffiti.

The pile of debris in the corner appeared to be a partially burned pillow and towel. There were also several Bud Light beer cans strewn about, an empty 30-pack, and cans. The vandalism presumably happened between the close of business on Friday, August 26th and when the officer noticed it. Police are seeking video of the incident.

Friday, September 2nd

One Vehicle Accident with Injuries

6:51 a.m. A vehicle exited from I-95 to the East Street rotary, headed toward Dedham. As the vehicle encountered the long, rounded curve, it veered to the right and collided with a utility pole at the entrance to a public storage facility. The driver, a man from Braintree, was injured and transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Needham by Westwood Fire Paramedics.

Harassment by Former Friend

7:27 p.m. Police responded to a business on University Avenue to take a report from an employee who told police that he was receiving abusive and threatening texts from a former friend. Police took copies of the messages and advised the complainant of his options, such as a Harassment Prevention Order. Police also visited the former friend and advised him to stop sending the texts.

Suspicious Email

8:36 p.m. Police responded to an apartment at Highland Glen to speak to a resident who complained of a suspicious email from a sender who alleged to be the Norton Company. The email was a confirmation for a subscription to the company for “theft security for all devices.” Police found the email suspicious, as it did not contain the complainant’s name, address, or other identifying information. The charge was for $391. Police advised the complainant to ignore the email and keep an eye on bank and credit card accounts and to call police immediately with any further such activity. So far, the resident has not noticed anything amiss on the resident’s accounts.

Thursday, September 1st

Landscaper Finds a Buried Revolver

10:02 a.m. A resident of Foxborough was working on landscaping a property on Oak Street and found an old revolver that had been buried. The contractor turned it into police. The old revolver had rusted into one lump of metal, and police were unable to determine if it had been a working firearm or a replica.

Missing Jewelry Worth $9,000

11:52 a.m. A resident of Oak Street reported three pieces of missing jewelry – a pendant, ring, and bracelet. All together, they are valued at $9,000. The items were last seen 11 months ago. The case has been referred to detectives.

Tuesday, August 30th

Intoxicated Uber Passenger Requires Medical Assistance

5: 29 p.m. Police responded to the parking lot of Lambert’s Plaza on Providence Highway to meet an Uber driver who reported that an intoxicated passenger was refusing to leave his vehicle. The driver told police that he picked up the passenger in Dedham, on a request for transportation to Lambert's. However, upon arrival, the passenger refused to exit the vehicle.

Police found the passenger to be extremely intoxicated and were wary of possible medical complications. Westwood Fire Paramedics were summoned to make an evaluation and the subject eventually became coherent enough to request transportation to a hospital. He was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Needham. Police accompanied him on the ride to the hospital for safety precautions.

Monday, August 29th

Vandalism on High Street

9:07 a.m. Police were dispatched to the Tobin School on High Street to take a report of vandalism. The glass on a lamppost had broken, apparently from a rock being thrown. The damage is believed to have occurred between 8 p.m. on August 26th to the morning of August 29th.

Rear-end Collision by Concrete Truck

3:53 p.m. A Tresca Brothers concrete truck and a 2015 Ford were involved in an accident when the Tresca rear-ended the Ford at a stoplight. Both vehicles were stopped at a red light, headed south on Route 109, near Lowder Brook Drive. A car ran through a red light in the left lane next to them, and the driver of the concrete truck accelerated, assuming the light to be green. He struck the rear of the Ford. The concrete truck had minor scratches, but the Ford sustained severe damage to the rear end. The driver of the Ford complained of pain and Westwood Fire Paramedics responded. He declined transportation to a hospital. Both drivers were able to drive their vehicles from the scene.

Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this article.