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5-03-2023 11:56pm
Police Log: Drunk Driver Falls Asleep at Wheel, 12 Year-Old is Safe after Being Struck by SUV
Darlene Cancell
Editor
The news described in Westwood Minute's weekly 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.
Saturday, April 29th
Night Lacrosse
9:11 p.m. Police received a complaint that several youths were playing lacrosse on Schaefer Avenue in the street, after dark. When an officer arrived, the youth had already left.
Friday April 28th
Restraining Order Doesn’t Apply
1:46 a.m. Police were contacted by an individual in Florida who claimed that a resident of Providence Highway was violating a restraining order that had been issued in Florida. Westwood Police also received a phone call on the same matter from Florida police.
Westwood Police contacted the Westwood resident. The resident expressed an understanding that the Florida restraining order was not in effect in the state of Massachusetts, which Westwood Police confirmed. However, Westwood Police strongly advised the Westwood resident to cease contacting the party in Florida.
Suspicious Mail
9:41 a.m. A Westwood resident reported receiving a suspicious piece of mail. There were apparent attempts to conceal the sender’s address on the piece of mail. The content of the mailing was to imply wrongdoing by the resident, who is a member of a board with the Town of Westwood.
Credit Cards Stolen from Unattended Purse
5:04 p.m. Police received a report from a Walpole resident regarding two credit cards and a drivers’ license that were stolen from the resident’s wallet, while the resident was in a café area of Wegmans. The complainant had hung her purse over the back of her chair.
A few hours after her trip to Wegmans, the Walpole resident received multiple cell phone alerts regarding fraudulent credit card activity. There was an attempted purchase for over $6,000 of goods from the Apple store in Dedham on one card. An attempted purchase with the other card was declined.
Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy notes that, for personal security, handbags and wallets should not be left around the backs of chairs nor unattended in shopping carts.
Fraud Follows Attempt to Renew Passport Online
5:49 p.m. Police responded to a home on Dover Terrace to take a report of a possible fraudulent scheme related to applying for a passport online. The resident was looking for a way to renew a passport online, and came across the website, applypasstravelusa.com. The resident provided personal information and paid a renewal fee using a debit card on the site.
A few months later, the resident received notice of possible fraud where someone in the United Kingdom had withdrawn $1 from the resident’s bank account in mid-April. Lt. Sheehy notes that such action can be indicative of a test to see if future withdrawals will be successful.
The Westwood resident contacted the bank to cancel the debit card. No further funds have been lost. However, the resident has not received a renewed passport.
Police advised the resident to monitor credit cards, notify banks, and contact the Social Security Administration for any safeguards that may apply, including a new social security number.
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Thursday, April 27th
Drunk Driver Falls Asleep at the Wheel
6:45 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the area of Washington street, on the report of a Toyota RAV4 that was being erratically driven. While the officer surveyed the area of Washington Street, a motorist exited a nearby vehicle and approached. The motorist reported that a person was asleep at the wheel at East and Washington streets.
The officer approached the vehicle, a Toyota RAV4, which was stationary in the “left-turn-only” lane of East Street, about eight car lengths away from the traffic light.
A witness told the officer that she was behind the RAV4 in traffic when it failed to move forward toward the intersection to make the left turn.
The officer observed symptoms of intoxication in the man at the wheel and conducted field sobriety tests. The officer formed the opinion that the driver, a 36 year-old from Norwood, was operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. A citation was issued for the same. The officer made the arrest and transported the man to the police station for booking. Bail was set at personal recognizance. The man was released to his roommate.
Wednesday, April 26th
Harassment by Former Employee
11:54 a.m. A Westwood resident reported to an officer being harassed by a former employee who is a Norwood resident. The complainant told police that the former employee was sending text messages and calling on the phone but hanging up. No threats were made, but the contact was unwanted. The officer arranged a meeting between the two parties at the police station for a discussion, but the former employee failed to show up. Police explained legal options that are available to the Westwood resident to address the harassment.
Identity Theft for Unemployment Benefits I
1:32 p.m. A resident of Phillips Brooks Road was applying for state unemployment benefits when the resident learned that a prior claim for such benefits had already been made, using the resident’s personal information. Police discussed with the complainant methods for protecting the resident’s financial information.
Identity Theft for Unemployment Benefits II
4:08 p.m. A resident of Stearns Street reported a case of unemployment fraud when the resident learned from her employer that a claim had been filed under her name. She had not filed such a claim and the employer urged her to place watches on her credit cards and to inform credit reporting agencies.
Monday, April 25th
Suspicious Vehicle by Lowell Woods
3:17 p.m. Police received a report of a suspicious white van with a male and female inside it, parked on Sandy Valley Road. The vehicle had reportedly been idling at the entrance to Lowell Woods for two hours. When police responded to the scene, the vehicle was no longer there.
Honda Strikes 12-Year Old Who Gets Up, Runs Away
8:17 p.m. A 2021 Honda driven by a woman from Dedham struck a 12 year-old girl from Westwood in front of Westwood Fire Station 2 on Washington Street. The contact was reported to be light, but resulted in the girl falling to the ground. The driver reported asking if the girl was okay, and receiving an affirmative answer. After this, the girl reportedly ran in away, possibly toward Morrison Field.
An officer located the girl and her mother at Morrison Field. From speaking with the girl’s mother, police learned that the girl had crossed from the opposite side of Washington Street, believing she could make it across before the light changed. Medical assistance was declined.
The driver told police that the girl had run across the street, against traffic. The officer investigating the accident scene determined that the driver was not at fault. The Honda appears to have been stopped in the far, right lane of Washington Street, with another car located on its left. Police determined that the car on the left obscured the view of the girl approaching from that direction.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this article.
