Police Log: 2 People Struck by Vehicles on Same Day in Separate Accidents

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.

Monday, July 2nd

Bicyclist Struck by Vehicle Making U-Turn

10:46 a.m. A bicyclist was struck when a 2011 Acura MDX, which was traveling on North Street toward Walpole, attempted to make a U-turn toward Westwood.

The driver, a 31 year-old man from Norwood, failed to see the bicyclist on North Street, and struck him in front of Bubbling Brook restaurant where the driver attempted to execute the U-turn. Police issued him a citation for a marked lanes violation.

The bicyclist, a 31 year-old man from Norwood, appeared to have no major injuries, but suffered cuts and scrapes.

Mistaken Trash to Treasure, or Stolen Bike?

3:08 p.m. A resident of Pond Street reported watching a heavyset man with a grey beard placing the resident’s bicycle onto the bike rack of a vehicle. The vehicle appeared similar to a silver Mercury Grand Marquis or Lincoln. The man left in the vehicle, heading toward the Sheehan School.

The resident had believed that the resident’s bike was secure in the resident's garage. Later, the resident realized that the bike had been left outside, propped up against the resident’s fence. Police are investigating.

Shoplifting for Expensive Skincare

4:02 p.m. Staff at Ulta Beauty in University Station reported that a man and woman left the store with about $2,000 worth of unpaid merchandise. They were observed collecting items from the Clarins skin lotion section and exiting the store on foot.

Driver Who Receives Citation from Police on Providence Highway is Struck While Walking Across Same Road

9:07 p.m. An officer was patrolling Providence Highway in the area of Dunkin’ when the officer spotted a vehicle with its light out. The officer made a traffic stop and found two men in the front seats and two women in the back seats of the vehicle.

The driver told police he did not have a license with him and did not know his social security number. He also gave the officer a fake name. However, the officer found a previous citation inside the vehicle that displayed the driver’s true name. The officer also discovered that the driver had a suspended license.

The driver, a 23 year-old man from Boston, was issued a citation for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, having no front plate on his vehicle, and no lights.

10:00 p.m. The 23-year old man from Boston, who one hour earlier had just received a citation from police while driving with a light out on Providence Highway, was injured when he was stuck by a vehicle on the same road.

It appears that after receiving his citation, the Boston man was struck in the leg by a vehicle as he attempted to cross Providence Highway toward Lamberts Rainbow Grocery. A driver of a 2013 Toyota was traveling north on Providence Highway, and failed to see the Boston man crossing in front of the vehicle. The driver reportedly was paying attention to the side of the road where another person was located. Injuries were reported, but no trip was made to the hospital and no citation was issued.

Sunday, July 1st

One Thing Leads to Another

5:11 p.m. A traffic stop on Providence Highway turned into an arrest when police discovered the driver had a warrant from Quincy District Court. Police had stopped the vehicle because it was straddling the right and breakdown lanes. The driver was a 24 year-old man from Boston. He was booked, and eventually made bail.

Saturday, June 30th

Arrest for Assault and Battery

6:18 p.m. Police were called to respond to a fight at Budget Inn on Providence Highway. One of the participants fled into the neighborhood behind the inn. Police located them and placed them into custody.

The arrestee was a person from Canton. They provided police with a false name. Police charged them with assault and battery on a person over 60 years of age. The victim of the assault and battery was also a resident of the Budget Inn.

Police transported the arrestee to the state hospital for evaluation, and subsequently transported them to Dedham District Court. On the way back from the hospital, the arrestee ripped out part of the ceiling of the police cruiser. Police also charged the arrestee with malicious damage to a motor vehicle.

Soliciting Door-to-Door without a Permit

6:31 p.m. Police received a call from a resident of Lake Shore Drive, who complained about two men soliciting door-to-door without a police permit. Police responded to the area. While police were looking for the men, the police station received a call from one of the salesmen. He inquired about the procedure to properly make such solicitations in Westwood. Police advised the salesman to obtain a permit from police.

Collateral in Lieu of Payment

8:05 p.m. A cab driver called police regarding a passenger who reportedly jumped out of the cab at Highland Glen apartments, and left without paying. The passenger reportedly told the driver that he would provide identification or collateral, as he did not have payment.

The responding officer found a pedestrian walking in the area. The 51 year-old resident of Highland Glen apartments reported that he had gone to retrieve his iPad as collateral for the cabby. The exchange was made.

Thursday, June 28th

Dog Bite Reported by Dog's Owner

10:56 a.m. A resident of Pheasant Hill Street called police to report that his dog had bitten a 5 year-old neighbor. The dog had escaped from where it was kept.

The child’s father indicated to police that the bite was not bad. Police made a referral to Animal Control.

Fraudulent Vacation Rental Listing

4:21 p.m. A resident of Wessex Drive reported being victim to someone listing a fraudulent vacation rental on Craigslist. She paid over $4,000 in two transactions via Venmo to a person she believed to own a rental home in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. After making the second payment, the supposed owner of the rental home deactivated the Venmo account.

The Westwood resident investigated to obtain contact information for the property owner of the vacation home address. Upon being contacted, the property owner informed the Westwood resident that there has been a past history of a scam involving the property.

Police are investigating.

Wednesday, June 27th

Senior Shoplifting

8:45 p.m. Wegmans' asset protection staff requested police assistance after speaking with two suspected shoplifters who refused to provide their identification. Upon police arrival, the suspected shoplifters did provide identification to a Westwood Police officer.

One suspect was a 74 year-old from Marshfield. The other was a 58 year-old woman from Milton. They are suspected of having stolen $156 worth of groceries. Wegmans issued the pair a fine along with a notice of trespass.

Tuesday, June 26th

Rear-End Collision on High Street

10:44 a.m. A rear-end collision on High Street resulted in two vehicles being towed for substantial damage.

A woman from Norwood, driving a 2008 BMW east on High Street, struck a 2014 Toyota which was stopped in traffic ahead of her.

The 2014 Toyota, in turn, struck a 2015 Toyota which was ahead if it. Both Toyotas were towed.

There were no injuries reported. The Norwood woman received a citation for not being properly licensed.

Thanks to Detective Sergeant Paul Sicard, Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy, and Westwood Police for contributing information for this article.

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