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11-11-2021 8:57pm
Police Log: Cryptocurrency Scam, Misuse of a Handicap Placard, a Stormy Romance and More
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
The news described in Westwood Minute’s Police Log article 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, November 1, 2021
Resident loses access to half a million dollars in apparent cryptocurrency scam
12:10 p.m. A resident of Gay Street reported being swindled out of $555,000 that, over a few months, he had invested in a cryptocurrency investment scam. When he attempted to withdraw funds, he was rebuffed. He believes he has been scammed because so far he has been unable to access the money he has invested. Police are investigating.
Vandalism, a loud woman, and a tiny dog
12:17 p.m. Police responded to a report of vandalism to a Halloween decoration on Strafford Road. The married couple who own the damaged item noticed the damage after a woman with a small dog on a leash rang their doorbell and banged loudly on their door. She asked in a loud voice, “Where is Chris?”
The male resident of the home opened his window to tell her that there was no one named Chris at the residence. She left, and he then noticed the damage to the lawn ornament. Police later learned that the woman was a resident of a neighboring street. A police officer asked her to refrain from banging on a stranger’s door.
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Drunk driving arrest on High Street
5:32 p.m. A police officer was conducting stationary traffic enforcement around 1200 High Street near Pond Street when the officer’s radar showed a gray, 2017 Chevy Malibu was speeding at 55 m.p.h. Upon stopping the car, the officer determined the driver was intoxicated. The driver, a 38 year-old man from Franklin, was placed under arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor and speeding. Bail was set at personal recognizance and the man was released at 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Citation for misuse of a handicap placard
12:34 p.m. A police officer was conducting handicap parking enforcement at University Station and observed a woman exiting a 2020 Hyundai Elantra in a handicapped spot. The officer approached her and asked for her handicap placard.
The woman, a 75 year-old from Stoughton, explained that the placard belonged to her sister, who was not present. Some indication was made that the sister was in one on the nearby shops, so the officer offered to help find her.
The woman declined the offer, and the officer issued her a citation for misuse of a handicap placard. The placard was seized to be returned to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Image by Steve Johnson from Flickr
One thing leads to another, part 1
4:55 p.m. A police officer conducting traffic enforcement on High Street checked the license plate of a passing blue Kia sedan. The check confirmed that the plate was associated with a vehicle registration that had been revoked for lack of insurance.
Upon making the stop, the officer learned that the Kia was the property of the driver’s father. However, a check on the driver revealed that his driving license also had been suspended in August this year.
The driver, a 21 year-old from Taunton, received a citation for operating a vehicle after suspension and operating a vehicle without insurance.
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Catching an unauthorized payroll change
10:53 a.m. A police officer responded to a report of fraud by a company on University Avenue. The company reported receiving authorization to make a payroll change to an employee’s destination bank for purposes of direct deposit.
After making the change, however, the employee complained of not receiving any pay for that pay period. The authorization was fraudulent.
The case has been referred to a detective and is under investigation.
Friday, November 5, 2021
One things leads to another, part 2
5:14 p.m. An officer was conducting stationary traffic enforcement at Washington and East streets when a gray Cadillac ran a red light, while turning from East Street onto Washington Street.
The officer stopped the car and discovered the driver, a 38 year-old woman from Lenox Street in Norwood, had a warrant for her arrest from Roxbury District Court for failure to appear on the charge of an affray.
She was arrested and booked and issued a citation for a red light violation. Bail was set at personal recognizance and she was released on bail.
Saturday, November 6, 2021
A stormy romance at Budget Inn
4:20 p.m. Police officers responded to a 911 call from party woman who said she was at the Budget Inn on Providence Highway. She declined to give her room number. Police went to the inn and Police Dispatch determined the name of the calling party. However, no such person was registered at the motel.
An officer talked to a man who noted that the woman caller was staying with him in his room. They had a verbal argument over plans for the evening, and she had exited.
Police located the woman, who gave positive identification and corroborated that story that the 911 call was over a verbal disagreement for evening plans.
Partying without the parents
10:30 p.m. Police investigated a complaint about loud noise from a Hillview Road home. Upon police arriving at the address, a young man exited the home and told officers that he had only invited a few friends over, but that a large number of uninvited guests also showed up. Officers witnessed a number of juveniles running out the back door of the house.
The teenaged host called his father, who spoke to police on the phone. Two invited guests were picked up by their parent or guardian. Police located several teenagers later who were suspected of fleeing. They were asked to call a parent or guardian to be picked up.
Approximately seven young people, including three invited guests, arranged to get picked up by a parent or guardian. Everyone got home safely.
Monday, November 8, 2021
Found wallet
9:21 a.m. An officer reported that a lost wallet had been turned over to him. It was found at Dunkin’ Donuts on High Street. The owner appears to be a man from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. An attempt has been made to contact him.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this article.
