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5-06-2026 1:17am
Police Log: Youths Reported Dropping Rocks on Passing Car, 20 Tires Stolen from Cars Parked at Route 128 Station, and Other Incidents
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 to Westwood Minute through written records and conversations. Occasionally, Westwood Minute may incorporate facts that it obtains from other sources into these stories.
Monday, April 27
Traffic Stop for Attached Plate Leads to Arrest
5:22 p.m. Police observed a Honda Accord on Providence Highway with an attached license plate belonging to a different car. Upon making the traffic stop, police discovered that the driver had a warrant for his arrest from Dorchester District Court to answer to motor vehicle violations. Additionally, police determined that the driver, a resident of Canton, was driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle with attached plates. Police made an arrest on the warrant and separately cited him for the motor vehicle violations. The driver was released on $200 bail.
Saturday, April 25
Unknown Origin of Burning Smell
1:10 a.m. An officer noticed a burning smell in the area of Pine Lane and Gay Street. No smoke or fire was found upon investigation.
Elderly Resident Possible Victim of Losing Over $25K+ to Ongoing, Four-Year Scam
2:45 p.m. Possible fraud was reported by a daughter of a resident of Briar Lane. The daughter noted that her mother, who is around 80 years old, had been the victim of multiple scams involving gift cards, cash apps, and Zelle. She reportedly had been contacted several times a week by phone and email, text, and FaceTime from as early as 2022 through the present. The daughter estimated her mother’s loss to be in the range of $25,000 to $35,000. The mother reportedly does not see any problem with the transactions. Police advised the daughter to compile a list of the transactions and dates, which will be forwarded to detectives.
Senior Shoplifting Suspect Trespassed from Store
8:34 p.m. Police responded to the Target store on University Avenue for a suspected shoplifter who was in custody of the store’s asset protection staff. The Hyde Park resident is believed to have stolen about $176 in merchandise, comprised of athletic shorts, shirts, and other clothing. The woman, approximately 70 years old, was trespassed from the store and will be summoned to Dedham District Court.
Friday, April 24
Youths Reported Dropping Rocks on Passing Car
12:31 p.m. A caller reported that while driving in the area of 208 Providence Highway, her vehicle’s windshield was struck and damaged by two youths who were dropping rocks off “the bridge by Lamberts,” in apparent reference to the East Street Bridge near Lambert’s Rainbow Market on Providence Highway. The youths were described as approximately 14 to 15 years of age.
20 Tires Stolen From Cars Parked at Route 128 Transit Station
1:21 p.m. Westwood Police received a call from Transit Police at the Route 128 transit station, who reported that between Wednesday April 22, to Thursday, April 23, 20 tires had been stolen from cars parked in the transit center’s garage. Additionally, tire theft was reported in nearby Canton around the same timeframe. A vehicle believed connected with the Canton theft was described as an upper-trim Volkswagen Atlas, with attached Massachusetts plates belonging to another vehicle. Video in the area of the Route 128 transit station showed a suspicious vehicle with a Florida license plate traveling south on University Avenue at 7:37 p.m. on April 22. Westwood Police forwarded the information to Canton Police and Transit Police.
Thursday, April 23
Harassment on Social Media by Former Classmate
9:11 a.m. A resident of Fensview Drive complained of harassment on behalf of his adult daughter, whom he said received a group invite on social media from a former classmate, titled, “You guys are f - - ked.” The message included over 80 former classmates in the group. The post included boxing content. Police investigated and determined that the message did not violate any laws and that the sender is currently a resident of Foxborough.
Wednesday, April 22
Public Urination
8:35 a.m. An officer observed a man, identified as a resident of Randolph, urinating on the side of Walker Road. The man was spoken to.
Unwanted Approach
3:26 p.m. Police responded to a complaint that two males were approaching females inside the Target store on University Avenue. They were described as being approximately college-aged, wearing white shirts and navy blue jackets with ties, nametags, and carrying Bibles. Staff had requested that they leave. Police located the suspects inside the store and learned that they were recruiting members for a church.
Reported Sighting of Man Wearing Mask and Glove, Carrying Baseball Bat
11:57 p.m. A caller reported that a friend had informed them [the caller] that a male wearing a ski mask, gloves, and carrying a baseball bat was seen in the area of School Street playground, ten minutes prior. Police responded. The person described was nowhere to be found.
Tuesday, April 21
Sideswipe on East Street Rotary
5:51 a.m. An officer responded to the East Street rotary where a GMC pickup truck and a Subaru were involved in a sideswipe incident while both attempted to enter the rotary from Dedham at the same time from adjoining lanes. The drivers, residents of Dedham and Mattapan, gave conflicting statements to police. Fault was unable to be assigned. There were no injuries reported.
Cell Phone Lost by Travelling Child
4:12 p.m. A resident of Oxford Terrace reported the loss of her work phone, an iPhone 15, which she had given to her child on a flight from Boston to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The phone is believed to have been lost during travel. The resident was making a police report at the suggestion of her employer.
Thanks to Lieutenant Michael DiLalla and Westwood Police Department for sharing information for this Westwood Minute article.
