Police Log: Bomb Threat Part of a Set of Similar, Regional Incidents & Disturbing Flyers Posted around Town

Fans of Westwood Minute's weekly series, "Police Log," will be happy to know they can get a double-dose this week. Last week's stories did not get posted due to other news, so they are posted below. Additionally, more recent Police Log stories will be posted later this week as well. 

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, December 18th

Too Early for an Unannounced Visit

3:56 a.m. A resident of Colburn Street informed police of an unwanted person at the residence. An officer responded and found a 21 year-old male from Ware, Massachusetts, who said he was picking up his things from the home’s resident after a relationship had ended. 

The officer informed the young man that 4:00 a.m. is an unreasonable time to arrive unannounced to do that, and advised him to return later. The officer advised the resident to arrange for a time and place to return the personal property, which should be packed and ready for pickup. Police would be available to standby while that occurred, if needed.

Sunday, December 17th

Bomb Threat Part of a Set of Similar, Regional Incidents

8:08 a.m. A representative of Temple Beth David on Clapboardtree Street received an email, along with about 40 other organizations that included many synagogues, in which the sender claimed that a bomb was concealed on the premises. The email is believed to be related to a group of similar incidents throughout the New England area. Westwood Police made a sweep of the temple property and found no suspicious objects.

Flyers on Oak Street

10:02 a.m. Police received a report from Alder Road that flyers were posted in the Oak Street area, referencing a fatal car accident from 2017.

Flyers on Alder Road

11:16 a.m. Police received a report of flyers being posted on Alder Road which reference a fatal car accident from 2017.

Suspicious Activity at Bank of America

2:16 p.m. Police received a report of two females entering a vestibule of the Bank of America on High Street, and then exiting. The bank informed police that a technician would respond to ensure that the vestibule is locked.

Saturday, December 16th

Credit Card Fraudster Attempts to Unfreeze Credit Card

8:23 a.m. A resident reported an unauthorized charge on her credit card for a purchase at a Footlighter store in New York. She immediately called her credit card company, putting about $688 worth of transactions on hold. She was informed that after the card was frozen, there were attempts to unfreeze it, indicating a possible compromise of her personal information. The resident will be reimbursed for the fraud and has taken steps to safeguard her personal information.

Lost and Found – Apple AirPods

12:26 p.m. Police received a pair of Apple AirPods which were found by a Westwood resident in the area of Smith Drive and Downey Street. The Airpods have self-identifying owner information.

Thursday, December 14th

Honda Swerves Off-Road, onto Curb

7:06 a.m. A 2020 Honda was traveling on Route 1 when another car reportedly made a U-turn and proceeded to enter the travel lane in which the Honda was driving. The Honda swerved to avoid a collision, and went off-road, onto the curb and lawn area by Lamberts Plaza. The vehicle received heavy damage to the undercarriage, rendering it inoperable. The driver was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Needham with unspecified injuries. The driver of the second car told police that the Honda came out of nowhere. No citations were issued.

Honest Citizen

12:30 p.m. A Westwood resident informed police that while backing out of a parking space at CVS, she may have contacted the white vehicle parked next to her. She had returned home and noticed damage to the side of her front bumper. She was proactively reporting the incident in case the owner of the other vehicle reports a hit and run.

Vehicle Strikes Pole, Injuring Driver

2:03 p.m. On Oak Street, a 2023 Mercedes-Benz E, operated by a man from Westwood, struck a pole, resulting in both pole and wires coming down, and a road closure. Injuries were reported, but specifics were unavailable at this article’s posting.

Bikes Stolen from Apartment Building

6:08 p.m. A Gables University Station apartments resident complained of two bicycles being stolen from a dedicated storage area in the apartment building. He noticed the bikes were missing the previous morning, and found the bike lock had been cut. 

One bike is described as black and electric, worth $500. The other bike is described as an Amazon Europa, black and red in color, and worth $300.

Intoxicated in an Uber

11:29 p.m. An Uber driver reported that an intoxicated passenger would not wake up. At 11:43 p.m., the Uber driver informed police of the driver’s intention to transport the party home to Bridgewater.

Tuesday, December 12th

Flyers in The Maze

8:52 a.m. An anonymous caller informed police that flyers referencing a fatal motor crash from 2017 were posted on multiple utility poles in the area of Westwood known as “The Maze.”

Flyers around Dover Road

8:53 a.m. Police received a report from Dover Road that flyers were posted on telephone poles, referencing a fatal accident from 2017.

Flyers in The Maze II

11:40 a.m. An elementary school principal reached out to police regarding disturbing flyers posted in the area known as “The Maze.” The school resource officer advised that any parents with concerns could contact police.

One Thing Leads to Another. . . and Another. . . and Another

9:08 p.m. Police were called to the parking lot of Target on University Avenue to check on a reported disturbance. Police found a red, Dodge SUV, with a male and female seated in the front, arguing, and two females and a toddler in the backseat. Target’s loss prevention staff additionally informed police that the two females in the rear seat were observed taking unpaid merchandise out of the store in two shopping carts. The items taken were recovered and described as household goods worth at least $500.

As police questioned the suspects, one suspect, a 21 year-old from Mattapan, attempted to flee, kicking an officer in the process. She was arrested and charged with shoplifting, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer. Additionally, police located a straight warrant for the suspect’s arrest from Dorchester District Court for violation of an abuse prevention order and for vandalizing property. The 21 year-old was held without bail.

The second female suspect fled during the arrest of the first suspect. Police successfully identified her the next day, and prepared a summons to Dedham District Court on a shoplifting charge. She is a 24-year old from Dorchester.

Additionally, on reviewing store video, police observed the third female passenger of the SUV (who had been seated in the front seat) placing CDs into a purse and leaving the store without paying for them. The items were valued at about $100. The video showed this woman arguing with the driver of the SUV while the other two females pushed carts of unpaid merchandise outside of the store.

The front-seat passenger, a 52 year-old woman from Mattapan, will be summoned for shoplifting and conspiracy.

The driver, a 53 year-old man from Attleboro, will be charged with conspiracy in facilitating theft.

Shoplifter Flees on Blue Bike

8:56 p.m. An officer on patrol was flagged down by a Nordstrom Rack employee regarding a shoplifting. The suspect was wearing a black face mask and carried a black and grey bag. He left on a blue bike, in the direction of Target, just moments earlier. The officer conducted a search but did not locate the individual. A list of specific items taken was not yet available at the time of this report.

Monday, December 11th

Threatening Texts

8:38 a.m. A resident of Warwick Drive complained of threatening texts being sent to the resident’s business cell phone. Police traced the texts to a man in Quincy. When confronted, the man told police he did not send the texts and does not know the recipient. It appears that the sender was using a spoofed number.

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

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