The following are incidents selected from the Lexington Police Department logs in the week leading up to April 29, 2024. LexObserver does not independently verify this information.
Arrest: Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., a Lexington resident was arrested on several motor vehicle charges. While conducting traffic enforcement on Waltham St. under the Route 2 bridge, an officer conducted a traffic stop for a black BMW sedan missing a front registration plate and a rear plate that did not match the vehicle. The operator said he had borrowed it from a friend. He provided an unsigned Certificate of Title and the vehicle’s former registration along with his own New York license. There was no documentation indicating current ownership or insurance.
While conducting multiple CJIS inquiries to locate this individual’s license and the vehicle’s current status, both the driver and his front-seat passenger exited the vehicle quickly, and at the same time approached the cruiser. Both were ordered to return to the vehicle. The officer approached and explained both must remain in the vehicle for their safety. The officer smelled fresh marijuana in the vehicle and asked if there were any weapons or marijuana in the vehicle. The driver stated there were no weapons and then showed a rolled-up marijuana joint. Mals was contacted for a tow because the vehicle was unregistered. When the tow truck arrived, the officer ordered the driver out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest.
The officer read the Miranda Warnings and transported him to the station where he was booked for “unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, number plate violation to conceal ID, unregistered motor vehicle, use of a motor vehicle without authority, and an open container of marijuana.”
Community Engagement
Friday, April 26 at 9:00 a.m., several officers assisted with the Special Olympics by interacting with the athletes and handing out medals.
Saturday, April 27 at 8:30 a.m., several officers were present at the Little League parade.
Directed Park, Lock, and Walk – Schools – a sampling.
Monday, April 22 at 11:15 a.m., an officer familiarized himself with Lexington High School layout, patrolled the grounds, greeted students as they were changing classes, and spoke with staff.
Tuesday, April 23 at 10:20 a.m., an officer conducted a walkthrough at Harrington School. The officer spoke with staff at the front desk, observed gym classes, and checked the grounds.
Tuesday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m., the School Resource Officer and canine, Maisey, conducted a PLW during lunch hours at Clarke Middle School. Maisey greeted and interacted with students and staff.
Thursday, April 25 at 10:50 a.m., an officer conducted a walkthrough at Lexington High School. She interacted with numerous students and staff members. In addition, she familiarized herself with the layout and spoke with one of the LABB classes.
Friday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m., at the Lexington Children’s Place, an officer checked in with staff and students while familiarizing herself with the layout of the school building.
Larceny
Monday, April 22 at 3:40 p.m., a Spring Street resident called to report that his pharmacy sent a package containing a prescription for his daughter. When he opened it, only torn paper was inside. The responding officer spoke with this resident who stated that on 4/19 he received a delivery by hand from UPS. When he inspected the package, he discovered it had been opened, and the medication was missing. Although only a $30 loss for this resident, his insurance company had been billed $800.
Disturbance, Suspicious Activity – Person and Motor Vehicle
Thursday, April 25 at 12:50 a.m., Care One reported a patient’s family member entered the building and was causing a disturbance. The responding officers reported that he came to see his wife who was trying to reach the nursing staff but could not. Her call button was out of reach, so she called her husband. He tried calling the nurse’s desk numerous times but was unable to reach anyone. When he arrived at Care One, the nurses stated they were nervous about his body language because he appeared upset. They let him in the building and when he reached his wife’s room, he began arguing with the staff. The responding officers resolved the communication issue going forward between the patient and staff. A sergeant escorted this man from the building without incident.
Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 a.m., a Mass Ave. resident called to report a man wearing all black confronted his 11-year-old son while he was waiting for the school bus. This individual yelled foul language, so this resident called 911. The officers confirmed the verbal altercation. The individual in question refused to ID himself or stop and talk to officers. A picture was taken of him, and he left.
Tuesday, April 23 at 2:50 p.m., a staff member at Munroe Center For the Arts called to report a man was outside moving their picnic tables around, asking strange questions, and making the staff feel uncomfortable. The responding officers checked the area but were unable to locate the individual.
Tuesday, April 23 at 6:15 p.m., a resident at Captain Parker Arms reported a male lurking around the shed. The responding officer reported the vehicle and man were gone, and the shed appeared in order.
Tuesday, April 23 at 8:50 p.m., a Bird Hill Rd. resident reported two suspicious males knocking on his door and stating they had a delivery for a person who did not live there. The responding officer checked the area, and the men were gone upon arrival.
Friday, April 26 at 5:55 p.m., a Lowell St. resident called to report that a Toyota Camry was parked in the lot at Diamond Middle School. The caller stated her daughter was outside the school with her friends, and they felt the man was watching them. The responding officer arrived on scene and spoke with the driver who stated he was a resident who frequently parked at the school to go for walks. Upon speaking with the child, she stated that the operator never approached her or her friends, however, they felt that he was watching them and found his behavior strange. No crime had been committed, and this individual was advised of the situation and sent on his way. Cruiser checks were requested for the area during after-school hours.
Friday, April 26 at 10:45 p.m., a 911 caller reported a group of kids in the parking lot of Dunkin’ Donuts on Woburn St. lighting something on fire. Responding officers reported 8 juveniles trying to light a small fire using cardboard and sticks on the bike path behind Dunkin’ Donuts. All burned materials were out before the officers arrived, and there were no injuries or damage. Officers on scene discussed better decision-making and consequences of their actions with the juveniles. They were apologetic and understood the seriousness of the matter. Parents picked up and drove the juveniles home.
Town Bylaws
Friday, April 26 at 5:15 p.m., a Whipple Rd. resident reported the Empire Concrete Company refused to stop working at 5:00 p.m. The responding officer spoke to them about the town bylaws.
Saturday, April 27 at 7:15 a.m., a Mill Brook Rd. resident reported contractors operating heavy machinery before 9;00 a.m. The responding officer spoke with the subcontracting company. They were advised of the bylaw and shut down work until 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 27 at 7:45 p.m., a Bow Street resident reported a construction company working after the hours allowed in Lexington. The responding officer spoke with the owner of the company regarding the times dictated in the town bylaws.
Animal Control
Monday, April 22 at 5:05 p.m., dispatch received calls regarding an injured deer on the bike path near Maple Street. The responding officers reported the deer was put down and moved off the bike path. They attempted to cover the blood in the middle of the bike path with leaves. DPW was notified for removal and cleanup.
Tuesday, April 23 at 11:45 a.m., a Watertown St. resident reported a loose dog in her backyard. She has chickens and children and this has happened before. She does not know who owns the dog. The responding officer reported he spoke with the caller, but the dog was gone on arrival. The officer was able to contact the dog’s owner and remained in the area to see if he could locate it. The officer checked the area and spoke to the staff at Pine Knolls who said they had run-ins with the dog before. He was unable to locate the dog, and shortly after clearing the incident, the officer advised that the dog was returned to its owner and all was in order.
Wednesday, April 24 at 5:25 p.m., Bedford PD called to report a loose dog in the area of the Bedford/Lexington line. It was described as orange-colored, 40 lbs, with “possible injuries.” The responding officer reported that the dog was reunited with its owner and no further assistance was needed.
*And “No dog owned or kept in Lexington shall be allowed to be off the premises of its owner or keeper except in the immediate restraint and control of some person by means of a leash or by effective command.”
*Follow Lexington’s law… keep your dogs safe and your neighbors happy!
Wednesday, April 24 at 3:40 p.m., one of Lexington High School’s custodians reported an injured/sickly raccoon in the parking lot by the Worthen Rd. entrance. The responding officer relocated the animal and put it down.
Thursday, April 25 at 11:15 p.m., a passerby reported an injured rabbit off to the side of the road on Concord Ave. near Waltham St. The responding officer was unable to locate the animal.
Saturday, April 27 at 10:15 a.m., the Animal Control Officer reported patrolling the area of Whipple Hill from 10 a.m. to noon.
Fraud
Monday, April 22 at 3:55 p.m., a Banks Ave. resident came in to report suspicious activity on her Experian credit monitoring account. She reported she had received an alert from Experian identity protection stating that a consumer DDA (Demand Deposit Acct) was opened with M&T Bank on April 1 using her Social Security number. This resident will have the unauthorized account closed. Her bank manager confirmed that an account exists in their system with her Social Security number but it’s under a different undisclosed name. She reports no monetary loss at this time, and no other concerning activity has been posted. She has been instructed to continue monitoring her bank and credit information regularly. She has since locked her credit file using Experian and will notify LPD of any updates or additional activity.
Wednesday, April 24 at 7:40 p.m., a Locust Ave. resident came in to report he attempted to get a credit score check from Experian, and when he attempted to make an account with Experian, he was alerted that someone had already opened an account using his name and Social Security number. This resident stated he reported this to Experian and those accounts were closed.
Thursday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m., a Locust Ave. resident came in to report a check-washing incident. She stated on March 25 she dropped three personal checks in the USPS mailbox in front of Town Hall. On April 25, someone attempted to cash one of the checks, but her bank did not allow it. She has not lost any money at this time and is actively working with Fidelity regarding this incident.
Announcement: “The Lexington Police Department is investigating the theft of mail from four USPS mailboxes in Town.
Three of the mailboxes are located in front of the Post Office at 1661 Massachusetts Avenue. The fourth USPS mailbox is located in the driveway servicing the Town Office Building. The other two drop boxes located in the driveway, used for the collection of documents and bills intended for the Tax Collector’s office and the Town Clerk’s office, are not involved in this incident and are safe to continue using, though it is always preferred that any documents or payments be delivered by hand to the appropriate office. The theft from the USPS mailboxes occurred sometime between 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 27, and the morning of Monday, April 29. If you or someone you know used those mailboxes during that time, please notify the intended recipient. If you mailed out a check, please contact your bank immediately. Lexington Police are working with the United States Postal Service to determine exactly what time the mailboxes were accessed, and if there is any information to be shared about a potential suspect.
This is an ongoing investigation and information is extremely limited. If appropriate, we will provide updates to the community as they become available.”
*From AARP Fraud Watch Network April 2024
There are six scams experts say you should be watching out for this year. This week: 4. Virtual Celebrity Scam
“Celebrities have had online presences for years, but the trend really gained momentum during the pandemic, when stars who couldn’t make public appearances tried to stay connected with their fans by doing online concerts and other events on social media. Fans have become accustomed to that constant virtual intimacy, which leaves them vulnerable to celebrity scammers. “You’re on Instagram or Facebook, and someone pretending to be Celine Dion or her manager reaches out to you,” explains Amy Nofziger, director of victim support for AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. If it’s a fake manager, “They might say, ‘Celine loves your comments. She’d love to talk to you. Here’s her private account.’” But after you connect to an impostor pretending to be the superstar singer, the talk gradually turns to how her fortune is tied up in a lawsuit, and she could use a $50,000 loan from you, or a similar story involving a need for your money.
How to stay safe: If you get a direct message from someone claiming to be a famous performer or superstar athlete or representing them, be skeptical. It’s almost certain to be a scam.”
*The Lexington Police Department updates its call log on Monday mornings. LexObserver coverage is a sampling of incidents and is not an exhaustive list. Logs are available for public viewing.