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5-22-2025 12:07am
Police Log: Westwood PD Arrests Chief of Lincoln Police, Mysterious Phone Call, and Other Stories
Darlene Cancell
Editor
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.
Monday, May 12th
Fraudulent Withdrawal by Cashing a Check
4:14 p.m. A resident of Mill Street reported bank fraud when the resident discovered that $9,500 was withdrawn from the resident’s bank account on May 8th, from a check that was cashed to “Theresa Fife” of West Virginia.
Report of Being Followed
7:38 p.m. Police received a report that a male dressed in camouflage sweatshirt and black sweatpants was following a female from the side parking lot of Home Goods on University Avenue to the side parking lot of Starbucks on University Avenue. The suspicious man had disappeared before police arrived.
Sunday, May 11th
Missing Sign
3:26 p.m. A resident of Canton Street reported that an “I Stand With Israel” sign was removed from the resident’s property.
Asset Protection Staff Gets in Scuffle with Suspected Shoplifters
3:56 p.m. Police responded to the Target store on University Avenue where an officer had to separate two parties. Two suspected shoplifters were in the midst of an altercation with an asset protection staff member, who tried to pull the shopping cart of unpaid store items away from the suspects before they left the store. The suspects refused to give the items back, reported the Target staff member, who said she had to grab the suspect(s) by the arm to prevent an escape. Both suspects accompanied police to the store office along with four juveniles who were in their charge.
Police report that some of the children continued crying, asking of police were taking their mother to jail.
Two suspects – both females in their 30s from Chestnut Hill - appear to have taken $507 worth of store merchandise, mostly Gerber brand items, along with a necklace, handbag, wine glass, Ninja appliance. A no trespass notice was issued to both along with summons to court for shoplifting.
Courtesy Transport for a Cemetery Visit
3:56 p.m. Police received a report from an Uber driver who told police a client was upset. The female client told police that the driver was a “sick” man who would not leave her alone. The female Uber client was in a wheelchair. An officer assisted the female out of the Uber and provided her courtesy transportation on her visit to her mother’s plot in the cemetery.
Saturday, May 10th
Arrest of Lincoln Police Chief for Assault and Battery
6:10 p.m. Police responded to a Westwood residence on the report of an assault and battery, in which one household member was reportedly thrown against a wall by another household member. Westwood Police arrested Sean Kennedy, Lincoln Police Chief, charging him with assault and battery on a household member by use of a dangerous weapon – the wall. The injured family member was transported to the hospital. Westwood Police made a peaceful arrest, without incident. By mandate for domestic assault arrests, the chief was held for six hours, before he was released on bail of $1,500. That same day, Westwood Police notified the Town of Lincoln of the chief’s off-duty arrest.
At a very early morning hour of Sunday, May 11th, Lincoln Police Lieutenant Wentforth contacted Westwood Police to take possession of the chief’s municipal owned vehicle which was located in Westwood.
On Monday, May 12th, the suspect was arraigned at Dedham District Court. He has been placed on administrative leave. The Town of Lincoln has named Lt. Wentforth as Acting Chief of Police.
Mediating a Public Dispute
1:49 p.m. Police received a report that a male and female were having a verbal dispute on Washington Street, outside a store. A manager of the store contacted police. An officer arrived to find the boyfriend and girlfriend yelling. Police mediated and the couple left together.
Friday, May 9th
Identity Theft to Obtain Credit Cards
7:15 a.m. A resident of Arcadia Road reported receiving letters from credit card companies regarding attempts to open credit in his name. The resident had not applied for the credit, himself. He notified them of the fraudulent activity. No monetary loss has been reported.
Argument with Contractor Leads to Suspicions of Stealing
2:37 p.m. A couple on Strasser Avenue Strasser reported a missing miter saw from their garage, following a dispute with a contractor. They had agreed to pay half of a $12,000 job upfront, but were dissatisfied with work done and informed the contractor that the services were no longer wanted. When the owner of the contracting company and crew arrived on May 7th
to collect their equipment, the owner reportedly yelled at the husband. The owner of the company was described as a large man and this made the wife fearful, so that she called police. The couple reported that they discovered their miter saw was missing and suspected that the crew took it. Police estimate it to be worth between $400 to $800.
Wednesday, May 7th
Car Crash in Parking Lot
9:38 a.m. Police received a report from a customer of Life Time health club on Harvard Street that the customer’s car, a BMW 740, was struck in the club’s parking lot. The customer’s car had backed into a parking spot, and the crash damage was to the car’s front fender and headlight area. The driver of the car at fault, an Acura RDX, left a note with the driver’s contact information on it.
Turtle Crossing
1:10 p.m. Police received a report that a large turtle was in the middle of the road, in the area of Hartford Street and Gloucester Road.
Shoplifting Reported
1:18 p.m. Police spoke with the manager of Ulta Beauty on University Avenue, regarding a past shoplifting on May 3. Evidence was handed over to an officer, who would pass the information to detectives for review.
Mysterious Phone Call
7:10 p.m. Police received a call from a person who spoke in Mandarin. There was difficulty with communication, but police understood an address given, “228 Providence Highway,” which is the location of H&G Spa. Police responded to the area and found nothing amiss at that time.
Tuesday, May 6th
1:30 p.m. A resident of Church Street reported receiving notice from his identity protection service that his social security number had been found on the dark web. He was advised to make a report to the police and to the Federal Trade Commission. At the time of the police report, the resident had experience no further suspicious activity of which he was aware
Monday, May 5th
Advice on Obtaining a Restraining Order
12:37 p.m. Police responded to a female resident to advise her how to get a restraining order. Police advised of an apartment building her to prepare a written statement regarding the incident complained of, which she could file with Dedham District Court. Police noted that the court could provide a restraining order over a longer period of time than would be possible through an emergency application through the police department which would only apply for 24 hours.
Trespassing an Employee
3:46 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Smashburger on the report of a verbal disagreement between a manager and an employee. The manager reported that the employee was yelling at him, causing a scene. Police arrived when the employee was preparing to end the employee’s shift. The employee was trespassed from returning to the business.
Found – Car Keys on Hartford Street
3:57 p.m. A set of car keys was found in front of a home on Hartford Street, and turned into police.
Thanks to Lieutenant Michael DiLalla and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this Westwood Minute article.
