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Image by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell.
10-25-2023 12:52am
Police Log: Vehicle Strikes Pedestrian in Crosswalk, Recovery of Stolen Vehicle, Extortion over Dating App
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, October 21st
Outrageous Prices
5:13 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the Target store in University Station on the report of an altercation between and employee and customer. The officer met the employee who alleged that a customer came to the customer service counter to complain of the cost of merchandise in the store. The customer, a man from Hyde Park, reportedly threw items onto the counter and yelled at the employee about the price.
When the employee tried to collect the items, the customer grabbed the employee’s hand and pushed him away. The employee reported telling the customer not to touch him and to leave the store.
The customer was observed leaving in a black, Toyota Highlander. Using the license plate, the officer identified the angry customer. The store plans to mail the customer a notice of trespass.
Friday, October 20th
Resident Complains of Harassment by Contractor
12:49 p.m. A resident of Everett Street reported being harassed by a contractor whom he previously had hired to perform electrical work. The dispute was over money allegedly owed for work performed on the Westwood resident’s property in South Boston. The resident told police that the contractor threatened to dismantle the finished electrical work unless the money at issue is paid. The resident also has reported the harassment to Boston Police.
Vehicle Strikes Woman in Crosswalk
1:22 p.m. A vehicle struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk on University Avenue. The pedestrian, a Westwood woman, was walking in the crosswalk when she was struck by a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, driven by a woman from Revere.
Westwood Fire paramedics responded to provide treatment for a cut, scrapes and an injured finger. The pedestrian declined further medical treatment.
The driver informed police that she was entering the intersection on a yellow light, and she did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. A witness noted that both the vehicle and the pedestrian were in the crosswalk on a yellow light. This incident is under investigation.
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Some Strange Attention
1:40 p.m. At Nordstrom Rack in University Station, a cashier and a loss prevention staff member spoke to police about suspicious behavior by another person. The cashier told police that around 1:00 p.m., a man in a FedEx uniform was taking pictures of him while he was working in the store.
The employee was able to see his own photo, captured on the subject’s phone. The cashier told police that the man in the FedEx uniform approached the sales counter where the cashier stood, fiddled excessively with a phone, and took photos of the counter area while the sales clerk had his back turned.
The clerk was upset, but police advised him that no crime had been committed. Police advised the cashier and the loss prevention staff member to call police immediately if the suspicious man returns.
Vandalism on Station Drive
2:32 p.m. A security guard at the Citizens Bank building on Station Drive informed police that spray paint was discovered in a parking lot and on two light poles. A picture of a ladybug had been spray painted in a parking spot. The word, “run” was also spray painted on a parking spot. The base of one light post was spray painted with an undecipherable drawing. Another light post had white, diagonal stripes painted on it.
Thursday, October 19th
Restraining Order Extended
10:34 a.m. An officer responded to a private home in Westwood to serve a restraining order extension.
Continued High Alert
3:06 p.m. A Temple Beth David community member reported that a suspicious white van was parked in a cul-de-sac in the area of Shermans Way or Whitney Avenue, which abuts the parking lot of Temple Beth David. Police determined that the van belongs to a resident of that area, and the van has parked there for at least a year.
Wednesday, October 18th
Senior Citizen Receives Trespass Warning
1:53 p.m. Police received a series of reports of suspicious activity from a middle-aged resident of Nahatan Street regarding two acquaintances. The resident asked police how to avoid contact with the two individuals. Police suggested letter notifying the acquaintances that further visits to the resident’s property would be considered trespassing.
In the officer’s presence, the complainant called one of the acquaintances on the phone. The officer warned the party from Needham, a woman in her 70s, not to trespass on the complainant’s property and that doing so could lead to arrest. She was asked to relay the information to the second acquaintance.
World Events Put Locals On High Alert
6:02 p.m. A member of the staff of Temple Beth David reported seeing a suspicious white van driving onto Pond Street from Lakeshore Drive, past the temple, with its side door open and the driver appearing to have a cell phone raised toward the temple. Police reviewed security footage with staff. It appeared to be a delivery van. Police indicate that it is somewhat common for delivery vans to keep sliding side doors open while making deliveries.
Shoplifting Suspects Take Steak, Shrimp, and Cake
8:12 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Wegmans on the report of a larceny. Staff informed the officer that a male and female were seen on surveillance video, concealing items in a black bag and then leaving without paying. Additionally, the male took prepared food from the store, which he ate as he walked around the store. Staff determined the pair took steaks, shrimp, and cake and items worth a total of just under $300.
The man appeared to be middle-aged, wearing a white, The North Face hoodie with a multicolored rainbow on it and dark pants. The female was wearing a hoodie with “Red Sox” printed on the front, dark pants, and a dark beanie with a puffy pom pom on top.
Police traced the suspects’ license plate to a person in New Hampshire, who also has a Holyoke, Massachusetts address. The individual denied having any knowledge of the theft.
Tuesday, October 17th
Police Recover Stolen Vehicle
10:19 a.m. An officer responded to a call from the Mercedes-Benz dealership on Providence Highway to speak with an employee. The employee informed officers that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on a vehicle, which a customer had dropped off on October 13th for service, appeared to have been tampered with. Through an investigation, police determined that the vehicle was stolen. Police had it towed to the Westwood Police Station, and it was impounded as evidence. This case is under investigation.
Extortion While Using a Dating App
1:28 p.m. A resident of Clapboardtree Street complained to police that he had been texting with a woman on a dating app, and she was threatening to expose the text messages if he did not give her money. The resident told police he had paid her a large sum, over $10,000. The woman was demanding more money, and the man was seeking advice. A detective advised him that it could be possible to trace the funds, but it would require disclosing his personal finances to do so. The resident told the detective he would consider how to proceed.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and Westwood Police for contributing information for this article.
