The Lexington Police Department updates its incident log on Monday mornings. LexObserver coverage represents a sampling of significant incidents and is not an exhaustive list. The full log can be viewed publicly at: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/489/Weekly-Police-Logs.
The following incidents, selected from the Lexington Police Department logs, occurred during the week prior to Jan. 31, 2023.
Community Relations
Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. In front of the Lexington Police Station, Haoyang Yu, a resident of Plainfield Street, received a Certificate of Recognition for his actions that saved a youth who fell through the ice at the Old Reservoir on Dec. 26, 2022.
Fraud
Thursday, Jan. 26 at 12:40 p.m. An Albemarle Ave. resident reported someone “may have” stolen checks out of his mailbox and forged them. The officer reports the resident was contacted by TD Bank regarding three checks that the resident wrote as a trustee for the Appalachian Mountain Club of Boston. A person named Michael Ian Reyas attempted to cash these checks electronically. The checks were written for various amounts on Jan. 3 and mailed shortly thereafter. The resident stated he mailed the checks at Mass Ave and Bow Street or Mass Ave and Fottler Ave. Reyas’ name was written in place of the original intended recipients. The date on all checks was changed from Jan. 3 to Jan. 7 and the same number was written in the memo space on all three checks. The checks were either not cashed or deposited by TD Bank, or the money was recovered by TD Bank.
Friday, Jan. 27 at 4:40 p.m. A South Rindge Ave. resident came into the station to report that on Jan. 23 she received a letter via U.S. Postal Service from the Massachusetts Unemployment Department in regard to an unemployment claim. This resident had not applied for unemployment benefits. An unknown person had utilized the resident’s personal information to collect funds in the amount of $6,090. This activity is part of an active scam targeting numerous states including Massachusetts. The resident was advised that this is now on record. The resident has visited the Mass.Gov website and filled out a fraud form in regard to this scam. The unemployment department of Massachusetts is aware of this scam and has their own fraud department handling these cases.
Friday, Jan. 27 at 1:55 p.m. A Colony Rd. resident reports he mailed out a check for $10,000 and dropped it in a U.S. Postal mailbox by Fiske School. An unknown party retrieved the check from the mailbox and attempted to deposit the check into another creditor’s account. The officer reports this was one of five checks the resident and his wife wrote and mailed on Jan. 1, 2023. They notified Bank of America of the fraudulent activity. The bank closed the account and flagged the associated missing check numbers. An Adams St. resident has agreed to give footage from his Ring camera to the police.
Monday, Jan. 30 at 4:15 p.m. A Lexington resident came into the police station to report that he had written a check several weeks ago to the Town of Lexington for approximately $7,500. The resident placed the check in the U.S. Postal mailbox on Worthen Rd. in front of Lexington Eye Associates. On Thursday, Jan. 26, Bank of America alerted the resident of an attempt to cash a check for $10,625.13 made out to Emmanuel G. Guerrero. At that time, the resident contacted his bank, Chase Bank in Waltham, about the fraudulent check. The account was put on hold and the resident did not suffer any monetary loss.
Monday, Jan. 30 at 1:05 p.m. A Mass Ave. resident stated that she mailed a check for $7,000 to her mortgage company on 12/30/22 via the mailbox located at 807 Massachusetts Ave. On Jan. 24, an unknown party using the name Katisha Ellie cashed an altered version of the check for $11,512. The resident noticed the withdrawal on Jan. 26 and notified her bank. Bank of America is currently investigating the matter and the associated account is closed.
Animal Control
Friday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. A citizen from Woburn found a collie in the Fiske School area. The dog was chipped but the chip was not registered. Because there was no way to contact the owner, the dog was placed in Lexington’s animal shelter on Westview St. Without a way to contact owners, any dog unclaimed after 10 days is available for adoption. At various times of the day, Animal Control Officer Michael Leskouski feeds, waters and walks dogs in his care. As a follow up, he returned and checked the Fiske School neighborhood area for the owner of the dog at the kennel.
Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. A reporting citizen stated there was an injured deer in the area of Hartwell Ave. and Maguire Rd. heading toward Bedford St. The responding officer checked the area and was unable to locate the deer. At approximately 11:25 a.m., dispatch received a phone call regarding a deer that was struck by a motor vehicle. The officer located the deer on the edge of the woods across from 7 Hartwell Ave. The deer was put down with two rounds, and DPW was notified for pickup and disposal.
Breaking and Entering (Motor Vehicle)
Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 5:45 p.m. Eric Ratta, an employee who works at 475 Bedford St. (previously Boston Sports Club), reported a customer’s vehicle was broken into. The rear left, passenger window was smashed in order to gain entry. The Lexington resident stated a black purse was taken from the vehicle. Video obtained shows a man breaking into the vehicle. A dark grey/black Jeep Cherokee with no front plate was seen leaving the area.
Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. A Watertown resident’s vehicle was broken into while parked at 475 Bedford St. Once again, the suspect drove a dark grey/black Jeep Cherokee without a plate. The victim states nothing was taken from the vehicle.
LPD reminds all that a well-lighted parking area near a building is typically the safest for people and their vehicles. Avoid leaving valuables in view and make sure the car is locked.
Summary of January police activity/calls:
Animal Control: 30
Assist Fire Department: 137
Business Checks: 216
Community Relations: 1
Cruiser Checks: 343
Directed Traffic: 206
Reported Fraud: 21
Thanks for reporting Mr. Haoyang Yu received the Certificate of Recognition from our police dept. We should all help each other in need. Thanks again!