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10-03-2023 12:09am
Police Log: Disgruntled Tree Contractor Wants to Return Trees as Wood Chips and Other Stories
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.
Sunday, October 1st
Abandoned Car
8:55 a.m. A community member reported a disabled vehicle that had been left on the road at Dover Terrace since the previous Thursday. Police determined that the license plate of the vehicle belonged to a different car of the same make and model - another Mini Cooper. Additionally, the registration attached to the license plate had expired. Police had the vehicle towed.
Saturday, September 30th
Solicitation of Voters is Protected Activity
1:56 p.m. A manager from Target requested police assistance in removing two men from the sidewalk in front of the store. They were seeking signatures for ballot questions and distributing voter material, and refused to leave when the manager requested that they do so. The manager then called police. Police noted that the activities being conducted are protected activities and are not subject to the solicitation bylaw.
Stolen Wallet
4:59 p.m. A woman from Roxbury reported a stolen wallet while shopping in Nordstrom Rack. She reported putting down her wallet somewhere in the store, and finding it missing.
Friday, September 29th
Scammer Impersonates a Computer Protection Service
10:27 a.m. A resident of Highland Glen told police that she was suspicious after allowing remote access to her computer by someone who alleged to be providing computer protection service from Best Buy’s Geek Squad. The resident assumed that another family member had subscribed to the service when she allowed the caller, a person who identified himself as “Alex William,” to access her computer. The phone number of “Alex William” appeared to be related to a voice over internet protocol service.
The complainant stated that someone had accessed her bank accounts and transferred money between accounts. There was, however, no loss of funds discovered.
Found Items at Ellis & Bonney Streets
11:31 a.m. A community member found a debit card and two membership cards at the corner of Ellis and Bonney streets. Police dispatch attempted to locate the “Marissa Morgan” whose name appears on the cards, but was unable to locate such person.
Which Funny Food?
4:24 p.m. A Worcester resident asked for police to record the fact that he became ill and groggy after dining at a local restaurant and working out at a local gym. He told police that before that dinner, he had only eaten canned goods like soup and sardines and packaged meals for an extended period of time. Also, although he failed his employer’s drug test three weeks ago, he is now drug and alcohol free.
Misuse of a Handicap Placard
5:28 p.m. An officer on patrol observed a white Range Rover parked in a handicap space at University Station. The officer asked the driver for a handicap placard. The man presented the placard, but it was issued to a female. The man told the officer that a friend had given it to him. He appeared uncomprehending as to why he was not permitted to use it. The officer issued the Quincy resident a criminal citation for misuse of a handicap placard or parking space.
One Thing Leads to Another
7:10 p.m. An officer responded to Target for a shoplifting. By the time the officer arrived, the suspect, a woman from Norwood, was cooperating with the store’s asset protection staff. She had allegedly attempted to take about $45 worth of merchandise. Store staff additionally suspected her of shoplifting on previous occasions for a total of $292 in stolen merchandise. The store opted to decline to press criminal charges but issued the woman a trespass notice.
The police officer escorted the woman out of Target, and inquired if the woman had a ride. The woman pointed to her vehicle that was parked in a handicap space. The officer requested that she show her handicap placard. The woman presented a photocopy of a placard which she claimed belonged to her father.
The officer issued the woman a criminal citation for misuse of a handicap placard or handicap parking space and forging a Registry of Motor Vehicles document.
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Thursday, September 28th
Phony Prescription
3:10 p.m. At Target, an officer spoke to the manager of the pharmacy department regarding an apparently forged prescription. The manager reported that on the previous Monday, the pharmacy received a prescription from a New York doctor for 30 mg oxycodone tablets, which is an extremely high strength dosage, usually reserved for pain relief for cancer patients. The prescription was made out to a female at a fictitious address in Westwood, using a phone number that contained an area code outside of the Westwood area.
The pharmacy’s management contacted the prescribing doctor and learned that the doctor had been the recent victim of a cyberattack. The doctor’s e-prescription account had been hacked.
On Wednesday, in the late afternoon, the pharmacy received a call from an individual asking about the prescription. The caller indicated the prescription was for his grandmother. When placed on hold, the caller broke off the call. Westwood Police detectives are investigating.
Disgruntled Contractor Proposes to Return Trees as Wood Chips
6:50 p.m. An officer took a call from a Dedham resident who performed tree service work for a Westwood resident. The Dedham resident alleged that the Westwood resident had refused to pay for the service provided.
The contractor informed the officer that he planned to dump a load of wood chips in the Westwood resident’s driveway, as the dumped load would represent the trees which had been removed. The complainant indicated that the Westwood customer could have the trees back.
The officer strongly advised the Dedham resident not to act on the idea, and to seek a civil remedy instead for any unpaid work.
Dashcam Proves Cause of Accident
7:39 p.m. At the intersection of Clapboardtree and Nahatan streets, a 2014 Nissan, driven by a man from Covington, Kentucky, crashed into a 2019 Toyota driven by a man from Norwood. Both vehicles sustained minor scrapes. Both drivers alleged that the other was at fault for running a stop sign.
However, the Norwood man had a dashboard camera. He was able to provide police with a video showing that it was the Nissan, driven by the Kentucky man, which failed to stop at the intersection. Police mailed the Kentucky man a citation for failure to stop or yield.
Online Imposter Blackmails Child
11:24 p.m. A parent and child residing in Westwood reported that an individual was contacting the child, demanding money to delete selfie photos of the child. The child had taken the photos and sent them to the individual on Snapchat.
An officer explained to the child that solicitation of photos and then blackmailing the sender is a common scam. The solicitor often fraudulently poses online as someone whom the victim knows and trusts. The victim later discovers that the solicitor is not that person.
Wednesday, September 27th
Unauthorized Purchase of Cannabis Products
2:21 p.m. A Westwood resident reported suspicious activity and identity theft. She received a package at her home containing CBD (cannabidiol) gummies and capsules that she informed police that she did not order, but which were purchased with her credit card. The resident cancelled her credit account, and advised credit reporting agencies of the incident.
Tuesday, September 26th
Possible Homeless Encampment Found
9:38 a.m. On the report of a possible homeless encampment with exposed hypodermic needles at the Wentworth conservation area, Westwood Police investigated the area of Wentworth Street and Railroad Avenue. Officers ventured into the woods from the Railroad Avenue entrance. They discovered what appeared to be an abandoned campsite, located on land that abuts the Town of Westwood and which is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Left behind were pillows, socks, a water jug, and two hypodermic needles. Police placed the needles into a container for disposal and notified MassDOT of the findings.
Debt Collection Agency Attempts to Collect a Fraudulent Debt
12:21 p.m. A resident of Briar Lane reported receiving a bill from a debt collection agency regarding an outstanding debt due to Verizon, despite the fact that the resident does not have a Verizon account. The resident has not discovered any issues with his credit or bank accounts. He requested a police report in order to have the debt collection agency clear his name from its records as a debtor.
Costly Coiffure
2:36 p.m. Ulta Beauty reported a shoplifting from September 21st, in which two young women with long, black hair headed to the Dyson hair section of the store and pretended to shop. One of the individuals took two hair straighteners and hid them under her sweatshirt. The suspects left the store without paying. The value of the stolen items is approximately $1,000. Store security footage has been provided to police.
Blow Out
4:22 p.m. Ulta Beauty reported another shoplifting from the evening of September 21, when an older man with grey hair, goatee, black shirt, and grey shorts reportedly took a blow dryer from the store’s shelf and then attempted to return it at the cashier’s desk. When asked if he had a receipt, the man simply took the item and left without paying. The blow dryer is valued at about $350. The store has provided security footage to police.
Monday, September 25th
Identity Theft to Obtain a Loan
9:40 a.m. A Westwood resident told police that someone had fraudulently used the resident’s identity to apply for a loan. The resident had contacted three credit reporting bureaus and requested a watch on the resident’s credit. The loan did not go through, and the resident has not lost any money.
Shoplifting with a Stroller
4:53 p.m. A loss prevention staff member from Wegmans reported an attempted shoplifting by two females who were pushing a stroller. The store merchandise was abandoned in the parking lot and recovered. The staff member was unable to describe the pair’s vehicle or direction of travel.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and Westwood Police for contributing information for this article.
Updated 10/3/2023 at 11:50 a.m.
