7-27-2023 12:43am

Police Log: Child Abuse when Shoplifter Involves Own Child, Theft from Clapboardtree Paving Project, and More Stories

Darlene Cancell Editor

Image by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell.

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 24th

Funeral Procession for "Harley Joe"

11:09 a.m. A resident reported seeing a funeral procession of what the resident estimated to be 100 motorcycles on High Street, near the ramp to Interstate 95. Police explained that the procession was for a 52 year-old Westwood resident, originally from Dedham, who had recently passed away.

The obituary for Mr. Joseph D. Devaney notes that the Westwood resident, formerly of Dedham, was known as "Harley Joe." He loved riding motorcycles and was a member of a local motorcycle enthusiasts club. A funeral mass for Mr. Devaney was held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 24th at Westwood’s St. Margaret Mary Church. It appears that the motorcycles were heading into Westwood for Mr. Devaney's funeral.

Tires Slashed on High Street

5:40 a.m. Police were dispatched to a High Street residence where all four tires were slashed on a vehicle that was parked at the address overnight. The victim provided information regarding a potential suspect. Police are investigating.

Sunday, July 23rd

Vehicle Stolen from Warwick Drive

10:15 a.m. A resident of Warwick Drive reported a vehicle parked in the driveway of that address was stolen sometime between the previous night and that morning. At the same time that the resident discovered that the white, 2020 Acura RDX was missing, the resident also noticed a different vehicle a short distance up the street, oddly parked and left running.

The vehicle left running in the street was a 2016 red Nissan that was registered to an individual in Woburn, Massachusetts. It had its ignition punched out, allowing it to be started without a key.

It was only when Westwood Police contacted the Nissan's owner that the owner became aware that the Nissan had been stolen.

It appears that the thief who stole the Nissan from Woburn has traded it for the Acura from Westwood.

Suspicious Entry of Vehicle Overnight

10:37 a.m. A resident of Gloucester Road reported suspicious activity to police after observing that the resident's vehicle had been accessed and disturbed.

Lieutenant Sheehy notes that Westwood Police would like to remind residents to lock their vehicle doors, even when parked outside their homes.

Saturday, July 22nd

Shoplifting Suspect Intercepted at Train Station

8:32 a.m. Police responded to a shoplifting in progress at Wegmans grocery store. Wegman's staff observed a man on store video as he placed meat and other items in a reusable shopping bag, and then left without paying. The total value of the stolen grocery items was $207.99.

A short while later, police located the suspect in the lobby of the Route 128/Amtrak train station, located across the street from the shopping center.

The man had a grocery bag in his possession, containing eight racks of lamb, strawberry lemonade, and Nerd candy. He also had a Bank of America debit card with a woman’s name listed as the owner. The man informed police that he was unaware of how he came to possess the card.

Police seized the debit card for evidence, and took a statement from a Wegmans employee who had witnessed the theft.

Police arrested the man, a 39 year-old resident of Mansfield. He was held without bail over the weekend.

Friday, July 21st

Man Accused of Assault and Battery Violates Trespass Order

6:23 a.m. Police responded to Starbucks coffee shop on University Avenue where a man was reportedly violating a trespass order. Police arrived to find the same man whom police had charged a week ago with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, in the same vicinity. Last week, in the course of an argument, this man had used pepper spray on a delivery driver in the parking lot outside the coffee shop.

The man claimed that he was unaware of the earlier-issued trespass notice. Police made a copy of the trespass notice at the police station and delivered it to the man at the scene. He has been informed that he is not welcome on the grounds of the University Station shopping center any longer.

Thursday, July 20th

Early Bird to Estate Sale

10:28 a.m. An officer was dispatched to an East Street residence where the trustee of the estate reported that items, which were being prepared for a sale, had been stolen. Between 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18th and 9:30 a.m. on July 20th, three bicycles, three bike racks, two folk art decorations, Kenwood stereo equipment, and small boxes containing jewelry were taken. There were no signs of a forced entry. The approximate value of the stolen items was estimated to be $8,400.

Request for Privacy, or Invitation to Fight?

12:46 p.m. Police were dispatched to a business on Dartmouth Street where a man from Taunton and a man from Brighton were engaged in a dispute. The men had been co-workers about a decade ago and had a business dispute at that time.

On the day that police were called to respond, the Taunton man had reportedly asked the Brighton man to “step outside.” The Brighton man construed the statement as a challenge or threat.

The Taunton man informed police that instead of a fight, he intended to speak privately with the Brighton man.

Both men confirmed that nothing physical had transpired. Police informed the men that a report would be filed.

Missing Teen

5:34 p.m. Norwood Police issued a broadcast for law enforcement to be on the lookout for a missing 16 year-old black male. He was believed to be a passenger in a black, Nissan Altima which was last seen heading into Westwood.

Westwood Police conducted a search for the Altima in the Washington Street area. They were unable to locate any such vehicle.

Wednesday, July 19th

Clapboardtree Street Paving Project Equipment Stolen

7:28 a.m. A foreman working on Westwood’s Clapboardtree Street paving project informed the on-site police officer that work equipment was discovered missing that morning. The foreman listed as missing four “Road Closed” signs and stands, along with 50 orange cones. The equipment was removed from locations where Clapboardtree Street intersects with Nahatan Street, Winter Street, Coach Lane, and near Xaverian Brothers High School. The total value of the stolen equipment is $5,300.

Tuesday, July 18th

Recovering Stolen U-Haul Truck

9:34 a.m. Police recovered a stolen U-Haul truck in the parking lot of 120 University Avenue. An officer investigated an Arizona license plate that was attached to a Chevy Silverado pickup truck in the parking lot and learned that the plate belonged to a rental vehicle reported stolen to Somerville Police on July 11th.

The stolen truck was parked in the rear of the lot. It had heavy damage to the passenger side-door and the quarter panel area. Police informed the local U-Haul office of the vehicle's recovery.

Possible Child Abuse when Mother Brings Daughter along for Shoplifting

5:31 p.m. Police responded to Wegmans on a report of a shoplifting in progress involving a mother and daughter. An officer met with loss prevention staff and observed store surveillance video that showed the two suspects in the self-checkout line. The store employee believed the pair had concealed items at the bottom of their shopping cart with shopping bags.

As the suspects exited the store, police and Wegman's loss prevention staff followed them. Wegman's staff requested that the woman and her daughter return to the store office, which they agreed to do.

The two were discovered to have stolen items worth about $101, including toiletries, manicure supplies, baby wipes, toys, insect repellent, and a three gallon beverage dispenser. Due to their cooperation, the store declined to seek criminal charges, but issued a trespass notice to the woman for a two year duration.

Police also filed a 51A report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, a form for cases of child abuse or neglect, due to the mother’s inclusion of her 13 year-old daughter in the shoplifting.

Bank Account Hacked

7:11 p.m. A resident of Churchill Road reported being victim of bank fraud. He explained that after one his his bank account had been hacked into, he removed its funds to a second bank account. However, someone accessed his second account, withdrawing $4,000 without his authorization.

Suspect Brandishing Firearm Flees Norwest Woods Apartments

8:13 p.m. Police received a broadcast and request by Norwood Police for law enforcement to be on the lookout for an adult, black male with dreadlocks, red shirt, and blue jeans who had fled on foot from the Norwest Woods apartment buildings, brandishing a firearm. A Westwood Police officer assisted Norwood Police with the search for the individual over the course of three hours, but the individual was not found.

Monday, July 17th

Debt Consolidation Scam

8:22 p.m. A resident of Westwood reported receiving multiple phone calls from someone alleging to be a representative of major credit card companies. The caller requested that the Westwood resident pay $10,000 to clear the resident's credit card debt.

Because the resident does not have credit card debt, he identified the calls as part of a scam. The resident cancelled the resident’s credit cards, applied for new cards to be issued.

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