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Photo by Mike Bird from Pexels. Stock photo of a Jeep SUV.
5-16-2023 12:01am
Juvenile Suspect in Vehicle Theft is Arrested After Pursuit by Westwood, Dedham Police
Darlene Cancell
Editor
A pursuit by area police of a suspect this Sunday, May 14, in a case involving the breaking and entering and thefts of vehicles from Medfield, Norfolk, and Somerville, ended with a 15 year-old boy being taken into custody. A suspected accomplice also fled from police, but he was not located.
Shortly after daybreak, around 5:50 a.m. on Sunday, Westwood Police were alerted to a broadcast by Medfield Police about the breaking and entering of a motor vehicle on Indian Hill Road. The incident occurred at a residence where an unfamiliar car was also reported to be abandoned in the driveway. Police determined that the unfamiliar car was a 2015 Jeep Cherokee that had been stolen from Somerville the day before.
Then, a second, similar call came into Medfield Police, regarding another incident on Indian Hill Road. The second report also involved a strange car left in a resident's driveway. It was another 2015 Jeep Cherokee, left with its engine running. This second 2015 Jeep Cherokee was determined to be registered to a resident in Norfolk, which directly abuts the Medfield neighborhood.
A Westwood Police officer was stationed on High Street when, about 20 minutes later, a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee containing two young males passed by at speeds estimated to be about 60 to 70 m.p.h. Reportedly, it accelerated as it passed the Westwood cruiser.
The Westwood Police officer took steps to pull over the speeding Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep attempted to turn, at excessive speed, from High Street onto the ramp for Interstate 95 North. The vehicle was unable to make the turn. It crashed into a traffic island.
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The Westwood Police officer observed a young male, who was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and black shorts, flee from vehicle toward the houses on Dedham’s Booth Road. The suspect was carrying a bag. The officer ran a check on the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s license plate and discovered it belonged to the Medfield resident on Indian Hill Road where Medfield Police had just responded.
It appears that the two 2015 Jeep Cherokees were stolen from Somerville and Norfolk and may have been abandoned at the two Medfield residences when thieves favored stealing the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee - a newer, more upscale model. The thieves may have decided to switch the vehicle(s) in their possession.
Westwood Police, with the assistance of Dedham Police, set up a perimeter around the Booth Road neighborhood where the suspect was observed fleeing. A short time later, police saw a young male in a white tee shirt and grey sweatpants run through the backyards of the homes in the area.
With the assistance of a K9 unit from Quincy, the 15 year-old suspect was located in a backyard of a Dedham home. He was arrested and transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital to be evaluated for any injuries, following the vehicle crash.
Westwood Police, together with Dedham Police, and a Massachusetts State trooper and K9 unit attempted to locate the second male occupant of the vehicle. Dedham Police via Twitter requested help from the public, asking people to call 781-326-1212 if they “see anyone hiding in the area.” The second individual was not found on Monday, but some items of clothing were collected as evidence.
The 15 year-old in police custody is a resident of Brockton. He was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle. Police also issued him a citation for operating a motor vehicle negligently, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to stop for police, speeding, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee that was stolen from Medfield was towed and impounded by Westwood Police. It was to be processed for evidence this Monday.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and Westwood Police for contributing information for this story.
