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 and additional department announcements, occurred during the weeks prior to Feb. 15, 2023.
Public Safety Announcements and Legal Developments
Lexington man pleads guilty to weapons possession, criminal harassment, civil rights violation:
On Feb. 3, Robert Ivarson of Lexington pleaded guilty to several dozen counts of weapons possession, counts of criminal harassment and a criminal civil rights violation for his illegal possession of more than 73 weapons and targeting a Haitian family in his neighborhood, according to a press release from Lexington Police Chief Mike McLean and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.
Lexington police arrested Ivarson in December 2016 after he had thrown banana peels at a Haitian family’s home 30 to 40 times over several months; the police observed Ivarson throw the peels before arresting him. Local, state and federal officers searched Ivarson’s home in January and October of 2017, discovering more than 70 firearms, thousands of magazines including large-capacity magazines, and confederate, Ku Klux Klan and Nazi paraphernalia. Ivarson’s firearms license had been revoked in the 1990s.
“Mr. Ivarson targeted his neighbors because of their race,” Ryan wrote in a statement. “His repeated throwing of banana peels into their driveway was terrorizing and caused them to feel unsafe in their own home.”
A Superior Court justice sentenced Ivarson to seven to nine years in state prison and an additional three years of probation when Ivarson must stay away from the victims and their family. He will be prohibited from possessing firearms, dangerous weapons and ammunition, and will be required to receive a mental health evaluation.
Lexington man sentenced to life in prison for murdering wife in 2019:
Hongyan Sun of Lexington was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Feb. 3 in the Lowell Superior Court after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, per a press release from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lexington Police Chief Mike McLean.
Shen Cai of Lexington, Sun’s wife, was found dead in her car in May of 2019. Sun strangled Cai to death after physically assaulting her, and staged her body in her car on a street near their home. Sun and Cai were undergoing divorce proceedings at the time of the murder.
“Although we are pleased with the outcome of the verdict and sentencing in this case, we realize it can never fully heal the pain and trauma suffered by Shen Cai’s friends, family, and the community,” McLean wrote in a statement. “We hope that this small step towards closure can bring some comfort and peace to all those affected by this tragic and senseless crime.”
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, help is available. You can call the state’s 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline at 877-785-2020 and can find additional resources here.
Hoax threat at Lexington Christian Academy on Wednesday one of several across the state and region:
On Wednesday, Feb. 15 at approximately 11:47 a.m., Lexington police received a call from someone claiming he was armed and intended to hurt students and staff at Lexington Christian Academy. In a statement, the department reported that the school was immediately placed on lockdown, and local police responded immediately with several marked units and conducted a building search and perimeter check, confirming there were no unauthorized individuals on or near school property. The department added that the lockdown was lifted and the school day returned to normal by 12:50 p.m.
“The incident is known to be one of several swatting incidents that have occurred around the state and region since Monday,” the Lexington Police Department wrote on Twitter and Facebook. Swatting entails fake 911 calls intended to draw a large emergency response to a specific place.
Community Relations
Friday, Feb. 10 at 10:15 a.m., a Cornerstone Way resident scheduled an appointment with Community Services Detective Jeffrey Chaisson for a car seat installation. He installed the car seat and demonstrated how to install it herself for future purposes.
Fraud
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 8:35 a.m., an Adams Street resident reported that his Social Security had been stolen. He had received a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance informing him that his SNAP application was denied. An unknown suspect used this resident’s information and attempted to fraudulently obtain financial assistance. As there was no financial loss, he was advised to monitor all accounts and to contact the Lexington Police Department if any monetary loss occurred in the future. He has reported this matter to Social Security and Equifax.
Thursday, Feb. 9 at 10:40 a.m., a Forest Street resident called the police station to report finding a fraudulent charge on her bank account due to a forged check. She wrote a check to Plar Inc. An unknown person was able to alter and negotiate the check for $12,500. This resident has been in contact with Eagle Bank in order to obtain a refund. She stated that the check may have been placed in the USPS mailbox near Santander Bank or near Cary Library.
Friday, Feb. 10 at 12:15 p.m., a Grove Street resident reported that the SIM card in her mobile telephone had been compromised remotely, and she had suffered a financial loss in excess of $20,000. These funds had been stolen from her Coinbase account. T-Mobile as well as Coinbase have been notified.
Friday, Feb. 10 at 4:30 p.m., a Grove Street resident came into the station to report he had received a call from Citizens Bank in Stoughton stating that someone had just attempted to cash an apparent fraudulent check from his account. The suspect fled as the bank was authenticating the check. There was no financial loss. The resident had mailed the Citizens Bank check on Jan. 20 at the USPS mailbox located at Bedford Street and Militia Drive. The check was destined for Fidelity Investments in Arizona.
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m., a Fifer Lane resident came into the station to report he had written a check for $47 and put it into a USPS drop box approximately a week earlier. After looking at his Bank of America account, he realized the amount and payee on the check had been altered to the amount of $7,200.02 and was cashed by Delvin Teixeira.
For tips on preventing scams, take a look at the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice regarding forms of scams and how to avoid them.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m., a car vs. cyclist crash occurred in the crosswalk on Revere Street at the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway. The cyclist was transported to Lahey Hospital in Burlington by Med1 for a head injury. The State Police Reconstruction Team was notified and declined to respond. Mal’s was contacted for a tow and a hold on the vehicle. On Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m, police removed the hold and notified Mal’s.
Thursday, Feb. 9 at 1:15 p.m., a resident involved in a motor vehicle crash called to report hitting a tree in the area of Pleasant Street and Lawrence Lane. Officer Elizabeth Brady requested an ambulance to evaluate the driver. There were no injuries. Mal’s was contacted for the vehicle tow. The officer cited the driver then drove the operator of the vehicle to Enterprise Rent-a-Car for a vehicle rental.
Monday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m., an individual reported a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hartwell Avenue and McGuire Road. Mal’s was notified for a one-vehicle tow. EMS was dispatched for a medical evaluation then obtained a patient refusal. One of the operators was transported to Starbucks at 60 Bedford St. There were no injuries, but there was one citation and a tow.
Breaking and Entering
Monday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m., a contractor called 911 to report a possible past breaking and entering at a vacant house on Pine Knoll Road. Police responded. Officer Joseph Carruthers reported entry was gained through the rear door, but Detective Michael Sowle was unable to acquire any prints. Also, it appeared that no items were stolen from the house.
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