Police Log: Vandalism at High School, Questions about Online Classic Car Sale and More

The news described in Westwood Minute's Police Log article series 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.

Sunday, December 11th

Aggressive Instacart Delivery Shopper

8:24 a.m. Police received a complaint from a Westwood resident who was shopping at Wegmans with his two children. He informed police that a man in the store spoke to him threateningly about moving out of the way.

Police identified the man as a Dorchester resident who was a shopper for Instacart delivery service. The Dorchester resident told police that he had spoken in a friendly manner to the complainant. However, he was contradicted by his female acquaintance who remarked that the Dorchester resident had, in fact, been aggressive.

Police provided the Instacart shopper’s contact information to Wegmans staff who will be discussing with Instacart the future of the shopper’s presence in the store.

Saturday, December 10th

Explaining a Citation

5:04 p.m. A Westwood resident walked into the police station to complain about receiving a citation for misuse of a handicap placard. A shift sergeant spoke to the resident and explained that the placard was temporary and had expired around two years ago. It was therefore invalid, and the parking ticket had been correctly issued.

Friday, December 9th

Vandalism at Westwood High School

10:31 a.m. Painted obscenities were discovered in the area of Westwood High School’s multipurpose field. At the time of this posting, further information is not available. Further information may be included in a future Westwood Minute Police Log article.

Two Purses but No Payment

1:07 p.m. Police were dispatched to Nordstrom Rack in response to a report of shoplifting that had occurred approximately 15 minutes prior. On arrival, police met with a store employee who informed police that as the store’s alarm sounded, he observed a heavyset woman leaving the store with two bags. She entered a black sedan, possibly an Audi, and drove away.

The employee found that two items were missing from the store – two handbags worth $549 each. The employee provided police with surveillance video.

Suspicious Search on Longmeadow Drive

5:47 p.m. A complainant walked into the police station to inform police of suspicious activity upon sighting a flashlight shining between two private homes on Longmeadow Drive. Police investigated and found a Westwood resident who was looking for something in the woods. The log does not indicate was the resident was searching for.

Working Late into the Night

10:00 p.m. Police received a report of suspicious behavior at the Hanlon School, when the complainant observed an open gate and lights on at the school during a late night hour. Police responded and found that a concrete company was pouring concrete. The company was allowed to complete the task.

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Thursday, December 8th

Speeding on Hartford Street

6:23 a.m. An officer was conducting speed enforcement on Hartford Street when the officer clocked a blue Acura speeding by at 54 m.p.h. in a 35 m.p.h. zone. Upon stopping the Acura, the officer noticed that neither the female driver nor the male passenger, the vehicle's owner, were wearing seatbelts. Additionally, the vehicle’s registration had expired and was non-renewable. The officer issued citations for failure to wear a seatbelt and speeding. The Acura was towed, and police offered the occupants, both from Jamaica Plain, a ride.

Texting while Driving

2:41 p.m. An officer was conducting stationary traffic enforcement in front of Westwood Fire Station on High Street when he observed that the driver of a black, Honda CRV was texting while driving.

The officer made a traffic stop. He learned that the driver’s vehicle registration had expired and non-renewable, due to failure to pay a parking ticket. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was given a citation for violating the hands free law and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Harassment at Train Station

6:41 p.m. Police received a report of a man wearing a black coat and blue sweatpants who was threatening people in the lobby of the Route 128 Amtrak train station. When police arrived, the man appeared to have left the area. Police conducted a search but did not find the man.

Monday, December 5th

Possible Fraud in $19,000 Online Car Sale

6:09 p.m. A resident complained of a possibly fraudulent transaction with an online auto sales website. The man was looking for a classic car and made a deal for a 1965 Chevy Chevelle with an online dealer. The buyer received paperwork from the seller, including the invoice and contract. In return, the resident wired $19,000 to the seller.

At some point, the resident asked the seller to provide some identification, but the identification which he received appeared fraudulent to him. Police have opened an investigation to determine who owns the website. They are also contacting the bank which received the wire transfer. Additionally, an administrative subpoena has been sent to the company which provided phone service for the seller.

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

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