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12-22-2024 11:06pm
Police Log: Loss of Over $100,000 in Burglary on Hedgerow Lane, Charge for Cocaine Possession, and Other Stories
Darlene Cancell
Editor
The news described in Westwood Minute's weekly Police Log article series is primarily based on selected incidents from the Westwood Police Department's daily log, and information provided by Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and police staff through written records and conversations. Occasionally, Westwood Minute may weave a few facts that it obtains from other sources into these stories.
Sunday, December 15th
Not My Package
2:27 p.m. A resident of Crouse Avenue reported that around noon, a black pick-up truck parked in front of the home, and a man with a package asked the resident to open the door. The resident declined.
Shoplifting Suspect Sets Off Door Alarm at Nordstrom Rack
3:51 p.m. At Nordstrom Rack on University Avenue, police spoke to loss prevention staff. Staff informed police that about a half hour earlier, a middle aged woman who was wearing ripped jeans, Ugg boots, and a winter coat, set off the store’s front door alarm. She walked out with two Travelpro suitcases that had inventory protection tags attached, and failed to pay for them. The suitcases are worth about $353.
Maple Syrup, Spray Paint, and a Massage Gun
7:54 p.m. Police received a report from the Target store on University Avenue that a man from Boston had attempted to leave the store with unpaid, concealed items on his person: maple syrup, spray paint, and a massage gun. The items were worth a total of about $174. The man was given a trespass notice.
Saturday, December 14th
Clothing, Toys, and Cleaning Supplies
7:19 p.m. Police responded to the Target store on University Avenue where a suspect was in the office for being suspected of shoplifting. Store staff told police that the woman, a 34 year-old from Roxbury, was observed at the self-checkout register and had failed to scan merchandise worth $347 comprised of clothing, toys, and cleaning supplies. The woman was issued a no trespass warning and will receive a court summons to appear for a shoplifting violation.
Two Drones Reported Over Westwood
8:04 p.m. A resident of Hampton Road complained of two drones flying over the resident’s home about 30 minutes prior. The resident was area of news coverage of drone sitings in various locations along the east coast over the past few days. The resident had taken a video of lights moving across the sky, blinking in different colors, and crossing paths. One object appeared to emit a small contrail.
Teen Charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor
10:32 p.m. Police responded to a complaint by a resident of a loud party at a home on Pine Lane. Upon arriving, police could hear people running inside the house and outside of the house into the woods at the rear of the property. Police also encountered a group of juveniles, aged around 15 to 16 years old, inside the home. Two of the teens were residents of the home, and police determined that they were having a gathering without permission of their parents. Also seen at the home were cans of alcoholic beverages. Police advised the teens to contact their parents to have them report to the scene immediately, which they did. The parents confirmed that the party was unsanctioned. One of the juveniles will receive a court summons for furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Thursday, December 12th
Suspect Taunts, “Call the Police”
5:15 p.m. Asset protection staff at Nordstrom Rack on University Avenue reported a theft that occurred on December 6th, during which a middle-aged woman placed HOKA running shoes and a tee shirt into her own green bag and headed to the store exit. When confronted by asset protection staff who attempted to stop her from leaving, the woman answered, “Call the police,” and walked away. The shoes are valued at $50-$60 and the tee shirt is valued at $10-$20.
Burglary and Loss of Over $100,000 Reported Stolen from Hedgerow Lane Home
7:10 p.m. Police were dispatched to a home on Hedgerow Lane, where a breaking and entering was reported. Upon entering, police determined that the home had obviously been searched. Some home security devices had been damaged or disabled. It appears that cash and jewelry were taken, worth at least $100,000. State police are investigating with Westwood Police. A K-9 unit attempted to track the intruder(s), but the track appeared to end in the woods to the rear of the property.
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Wednesday, December 11th
Unexpected Strangers
5:42 p.m. A resident of Endicott Street complained that two male strangers had rung the doorbell twice that day. Police advised the resident to call immediately if they reappeared.
One Thing Leads to Another: Shoplifting Investigation Leads to Charge for Possessing Cocaine
6:28 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Wegmans on University Avenue on the report of a shoplifting. Loss prevention staff informed the officer that a man had stolen $100 worth of steak, and walked out of the store. After conversation, the man returned one steak, but store staff discerned more food hidden in the man’s jacket. Eventually, the man handed over 11 more steaks, and headed into the parking lot.
When police found the man in the parking lot, he attempted to flee to University Avenue by climbing a barrier and dropping from the ledge of the parking lot onto the street level. However, police detained him.
Police discovered the man, a 62 year-old from Dedham, had two warrants for his arrest – one from Dedham District Court for removal of a theft detection device and shoplifting, and one from Orleans District Court for motor vehicle offenses. Police arrested the man.
During booking, police discovered one gram of white powder in his coat pocket. The man asked if he could “have a line” out of the bag. That request was denied. A test found the powder to be positive for cocaine. Police charged the suspect with shoplifting and possession of a Class B controlled substance. He was held without bail.
Tuesday, December 10th
Shoplifter Gets a Break
2:47 p.m. A manager of the CVS store on Washington Street reported that a man in his mid- to late-20s walked into the store, placed multiple items of merchandise into his coat pockets and pants, and left. When confronted by staff outside, he returned $17 worth of merchandise. He entered a blue Hyundai Sonata, and the manager recorded the license plate number.
When police contacted the man, he admitted to shoplifting, explaining he had done so out of financial hardship. He said he wished to return the merchandise, and did so. The returned merchandise comprised hand creams and sanitizer. No charges were pressed.
Passenger in Two-Vehicle Collision Suffers Minor Injuries
2:54 p.m. Two vehicles were involved in a collision on Clapboardtree Street when a 2020 Mercedes driven by a man from Oviedo, Florida, failed to yield when making a left turn into 18 Clapboardtree Street. A Ford driven by a man from Norwood was traveling in the opposite direction, with the right of way, and struck the side of the Mercedes. A woman passenger in the Mercedes was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham with minor injuries.
Unsuccessful Attempts to Open Unauthorized Accounts
3:03 p.m. A resident of Oxford Road reported receiving notices for fraudulent attempts to open financial accounts using the resident’s personal information. None of the attempts were successful. The failed attempts were made at US Bank, Green Dot Bank, Chrysler of Norwood, Wells Fargo, and other financial institutions.
Monday, December 9th
Identity Theft to Obtain Utility Service
12:09 p.m. A resident of Westwood Glen Road reported that a financial account had been opened by someone using the resident’s personal information. The resident received a letter from Eversource stating that electric service would be discontinued to the resident at a Hyde Park Address due to $1553 owed. The resident who lives in Westwood, not Hyde Park, contacted Eversource. The utility requested that a police report be filed. The resident has been advised to monitor financial accounts.
Reports of Fraudulent Credit Activity and Phishing
12:14 p.m. A resident of Highland Glen Road reported attempts by an unknown person to place charges at the Apple Store on the resident’s credit card for transactions of $655, $341 and $424. The charges did not go through.
Someone also attempted a $700 withdrawal and a $599 transaction charge with the resident’s ATM card, neither of which was successful.
The resident had also received a call from someone claiming to be from “Capital One Mastercard,” who knew the last four digits of the resident’s credit card number, and who attempted to convince the resident to give out the rest of the account numbers.
The resident has not reported losing any money but was concerned of being the victim of identity theft. Police advised the resident to contact a credit reporting agency and to put a watch on the resident’s credit cards.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this article.
Updated 12/22/2024 at 11:25 p.m.
