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The news described in this installment of 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 Michael DiLalla 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.
Tires Are Not Trash
9:16 a.m. An officer observed a vehicle pull up to a fenced-in area of Ira Acura Westwood on Providence Highway, to an area where tires are stored. Police approached the driver and informed him that the tires are on private property and that he should not take the tires. The man explained that he thought the tires were being thrown away as trash. Police sent the man on his way.
OUI Arrest of Driver Who Parked Car in Travel Lane
7:07 a.m. A police dispatcher received five separate calls regarding an individual in a parked car in the area of Smith Drive and East Street, which was stopped in the travel lane. Police arrived to find a black, Chevrolet Tahoe parked about 10 yards from a stop sign, in the middle of the street. The operator appeared to be passed out in the car.
Police successfully roused the driver, who would not open the driver side door. An officer opened a passenger door, with the help of a window that was open. The officer observed crushed cans of alcoholic seltzer in the driver’s side door storage area and smelled the scent of freshly burnt marijuana in the car.
When the driver exited the car, the officer noted he was not steady on his feet, and swung side to side. Additionally, the officer noted what appeared to be urine stains on the driver’s pants and open containers.
The driver, a 40 year-old man from Norwood, was arrested for driving under the influence of liquor, third offence, driving under the influence of drugs, and possession of an open alcoholic container. Bail was set at $250.
Switching Price Tags
11:47 a.m. Loss prevention staff of the Target store on University Avenue reported a suspected repeat shoplifter had switched tags on a piece of $84 clothing for a shirt that retails for $4.50. The suspect was observed switching price tags on March 23rd and April 21st. The suspect, a resident of West Roxbury, will receive a court summons for three counts of shoplifting.
SUV Rolls into Motorcycle
2:13 p.m. Police received a report of a collision at University Avenue and Canton Street where the driver of a Mazda SUV reported hitting a Harley Davidson motorcycle. She reported turning to a child seated in the car, taking her foot off the break, which caused the car to roll forward and hit the motorcycle. The rider of the motorcycle reported a similar set of facts.
Cries of “Help!”
10:04 p.m. Police received three calls from concerned citizens who heard loud screaming and the word “help!” being screamed from the area of Brookfield Road and Park Circle. Police checked the area and did not find anything amiss. A resident of Marshall Street informed police that the residents’ children were making the sound as they were playing.
Suspected Shoplifter becomes Aggressive
5:09 p.m. At Nordstrom Rack on University Avenue, loss prevention staff told police that a little over an hour prior, staff observed an older male appear to conceal merchandise in his hooded sweatshirt after a female handed them to him. He did not pay upon trying to exit. When stopped, he reportedly became aggressive, and staff let him go. The suspect is believed to have taken clothes, jewelry and sunglasses worth a total of $107.
The suspect is described as an older male with a red hat and red and black shorts. The female is described as wearing all pink.
Car Abandoned in Business Parking Lot after Accident
10:09 a.m. Police received a report from the Seasons convenience store and gas station on Providence Highway regarding an abandoned car in the business’s parking lot. The manager told police it had been on the property for a few days. Video footage showed that the car entered the lot on April 28th, drove over a curb, and knocked over a sprinkler. The driver got out and inspected the heavy damage to the car’s front end. There was additional damage to the driver’s side which appears to have occurred in a separate incident. After the report to police, an interstate towing company took possession of the car.
Destroying a BB Gun
2:02 p.m. Police received a BB gun for destruction from a residence on Lyons Drive.
Motor Vehicle Break-In on Metcalf Road
4:14 p.m. A resident of Metcalf Road told police that his black, Hyundai Genesis sedan appeared to have been broken into, with the steering column appearing to have been tampered with. He additionally told police that on April 23rd at 3:26 a.m., his security camera caught the view of two men approach the cars on his driveway, and enter the Genesis and also his second car, a Honda Pilot. The men appeared to quickly exit the vehicles without taking anything.
Police believe the two suspects closely resemble suspects in a series of break-ins that have occurred between April 22nd to April 29th. One suspect drove a white Honda Civic. The second suspect drove a black pickup truck.
Problem at Polling Location
9:00 a.m. A Westwood resident approached a police officer who was stationed at the Westwood High School polling location on Election Day, and told the officer that she wanted to file a complaint. She complained that while she was outside the polling location, a woman had insulted her. The complainant pointed to a group of people who, according to police, appeared to be acting appropriately, and seemed unconcerned with the complainant’s conversation with police. Police determined that no crime had occurred.
Juvenile Mistaken for Sniper
11:38 a.m. Police received one or more reports that a juvenile was seen walking down Clapboardtree Street dressed in camouflage and seemed by appearances to be a sniper. Police located the suspect, who they found in a hunting outfit, carrying a water gun. The juvenile was a student at Beaver Country Day School in Brookline, and appears to have been playing a game of “assassin” with friends, using water guns.
Suspect Identified by License Plate
12:54 p.m. At Nordstrom Rack on University Avenue, police took a report of a man who was observed concealing shoes and a handbag within another bag and leaving the store without paying. He is also believed to have taken a pair of pants, with the total loss to the store approximating $124 in stolen merchandise. Although the suspect left the area, his license plate was recorded, and a suspect has been identified. The suspect is known to by Dedham Police and Westwood Police.
Driver Transported to Hospital with Injuries
3:56 p.m. Police responded to a two-car accident in front of 22 Everett Street. Both drivers reported that the brown Toyota Camry pulled out of the parking lot of 22 Everett Street to make a left turn, and pulled in front of the westward travelling black Prius that was unable to stop in time. One of the drivers was taken to the hospital after complaining of pain in the neck and left arm.
Thanks to Lieutenant Michael DiLalla and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this Westwood Minute article.
Updated 5/12/2025 at 10:37 a.m.