The following are incidents selected from the Lexington Police Department logs in the week leading up to May 6, 2024. LexObserver does not independently verify this information.
Arrests
Friday, May 3 at 1:40 a.m., after observing behavior, speech, and conducting field sobriety tests, an Arlington resident was taken into custody and transported to the station where she was booked for “operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.” Her license was seized and destroyed. After receiving bail, Lexington PD transported her home to Arlington.
Sunday, May 5 at 1:00 a.m., after observing behavior, speech, and conducting field sobriety tests, a Lowell resident was taken into custody and transported to the station where he was booked for “operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor” and “operating a motor vehicle negligently so as to endanger.” His license was seized and destroyed.
Community Engagement
Wednesday, May 1 at 8:00 a.m., Detective Sullivan and canine Maisie attended the “walk and roll” to school at Bowman Elementary School. Maisie interacted with the students, parents, and staff during the morning drop-off.
Wednesday, May 1 at 8:55 a.m., an officer reported the Bike Train ride to Hastings School was completed without incident.
Thursday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m., Detective Chaisson met with the town’s finance department staff for active threat training.
Friday, May 3 at 5:50 p.m., two officers assisted with the Diamond Fife and Drum parade. They accompanied the group from Depot Square to the Battle Green.
Directed Park, Lock, and Walk – Schools
Monday, April 29 at 10:20 a.m., during a PLW at Lexington High School, an officer assisted the LFD with a medical situation in the main building. A student had passed out twice but was conscious and breathing. The officer cleared the scene after the parents refused further assistance.
Tuesday, April 30 at 8:35 a.m., an officer conducted a PLW at the Estabrook School. He checked the grounds, entry and exit areas, and spoke with staff. Also, he inspected school drop-off procedures.
Thursday, May 2 at 11:05 a.m., an officer observed outdoor recess and checked the grounds while conducting a PLW at Bridge School.
Thursday, May 2 at 11:35 a.m., an officer checked the building while conducting a PLW at Bowman School. The officer interacted with staff and several 2nd-grade classes whose students were at lunch. She continued to familiarize herself with the school layout.
Friday, May 3 at 9:45 a.m., while outside at Hastings School, an officer observed recess and checked school grounds during a PLW.
Noise Complaints and Town Bylaws
Friday, May 3 at 9:45 p.m., a 911 call came in regarding a loud party on Kendall Rd. Responding officers reported a group of 8th graders was getting together after coming home from a dance. They agreed to move inside for the evening. Parents were advised, and there were no further issues.
Saturday, May 4 at 1:20 p.m., a caller reported contractors using a pneumatic hammer and blasting equipment. The responding officer spoke with the contractor and advised him of the complaint. They stopped working for the day.
Saturday, May 4 at 7:55 a.m., a Hayes Ave. resident called and reported contractors working before 9:00 a.m. The responding officer spoke with the contractors and explained the town bylaws. The contractors agreed to restart work at 9:00 a.m.
Suspicious Activity
Friday, May 3 at 11:50 p.m., a Chase Ave. caller reported a man standing at the end of his driveway looking into his daughter’s room. He gave a description and stated that the man was still there. The responding officers stated the parties felt safe and only wanted a search of the area. After a search, the responding officers were unable to find anything suspicious.
Saturday, May 4 at 11:50 a.m., an individual flagged down an officer to report a suspicious backpack underneath a truck on Worthen Rd. near Lincoln St. The responding officer removed the backpack. It contained alcoholic beverages. The officer tracked down the registered owner of the truck and returned the bag to him. He was advised of the threat suspicious bags and packages could pose to the community.
Sunday, May 5 at 10:05 a.m., a driver leaving Temple Emunah called to report a person who “appeared to be homeless” sitting in a vehicle. The responding officer checked the area and spoke with a security guard who briefly spoke with this individual in the car who asked about times for services. The subject left and turned onto Waltham St. heading toward Waltham. The guard did not get a registration number and was advised to call back if the individual returned.
Animal Control
Monday, April 29 at 9:50 a.m., a caller stated a coyote was spotted in the woods off Mass Ave. and Curve St. The animal was 200 yards behind the trail in the woods behind the Waldorf school. The responding officer did not locate the animal but alerted the school staff of the sighting.
Thursday, May 2 at 7:50 a.m., a caller reported a loose dog running in the street near Hillcrest and Rawson Ave. The responding officer located the dog and returned it to 66 Hillcrest Ave. where it belonged.
Friday, May 3 at 9:05 a.m., a circle Rd. resident called to complain about an individual walking 4 leashed dogs at a time in the wooded area in violation of the bylaw stating only two dogs. This was not the first time this Arlington resident violated Lexington’s bylaw.
Saturday, May 4 at 3:55 p.m., a Phinney Rd. resident called to report a dog incident that had occurred earlier in the day. She had been cornered by her neighbor’s 2 boxers and felt threatened. Because this was not the first time this resident had been fearful, she requested a follow-up with the Animal Control Officer to discuss the best options for the situation moving forward.
Larceny and Attempted Burglary
Monday, April 29 at 10:40 a.m., a staff member at the U.S. Post Office flagged down an officer to report that mailboxes were broken into again. The responding officer reported that three mailboxes outside the building and the mailbox in the horseshoe driveway outside the Town Hall were discovered broken into by the postal clerk around 6:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 5 at 11:15 a.m., a Fletcher Ave. resident called to report her son’s bicycle had been stolen when he was visiting his neighbor on Hayes Lane. The bicycle was at the residence for half an hour.
Monday, April 29 at 12:25 p.m., a Woburn St. resident called to report someone attempted to break into his house via the rear door at 3:00 a.m. He stated he turned on the porch light and observed a person running away.
Fraud
Monday, April 29 at 2:50 p.m., a Bryant Rd. resident came in to report mailing a $600 check in October 2023 at the mailbox outside the town office building. On April 23, he called the intended recipient and was informed his check had not been received. He contacted his Federal Credit Union and confirmed the check was cashed in December 2023 but would not provide any more information without a police report.
Tuesday, April 30 at 12:20 p.m., a Fairland St. resident received a letter from the Small Business Association notifying him of delinquent debt from February 2022 for an $18,125 loan. This resident said he did not own a business and never applied for a loan through the Small Business Association. He notified the SBA in the morning and was advised to file a police report for identity theft. This resident was advised to monitor his credit reports and notify the police of any additional occurrences. The SBA will investigate the matter further.
Wednesday, May 1 at 4:15 p.m., a Mass Ave. resident came into the station to report he had been a victim of check washing. His daughter helps him with bills and stated she deposited a payment for him at the mailbox outside the town offices on April 13. The check was written to MetLife for $553.46 then washed for $19,850 and made out to another individual.
Thursday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m., Solomon Pierce Rd. residents reported mailing a check at Countryside Plaza on April 28. On May 5 they received a call from their bank advising them the check had been washed and changed from $345.83 to $8,732 and the recipient name changed. The check had been electronically deposited into a Citizens Bank account. These residents were told that the bank had refunded their account, there had been no monetary loss, and there were no suspects.
Thursday, May 2 at 8 12 a.m., a Slocum Road resident came in to report that while using Facebook she received a Microsoft pop-up claiming her computer was locked and she must call to unlock it. She called the number provided and spoke with a man who asked for her name and personal information. He stated he needed the information to unlock her account. She said after she provided him with this info the pop-up disappeared. Shortly afterward the pop-up returned and she called a second time. The individual claimed someone was using her information for offshore gambling and she had to go to her bank and withdraw all of her funds. This resident grew suspicious and reported it to her bank. She did not withdraw money. She closed her accounts, contacted Social Security, and brought her computer to Apple where they fixed the issue. She suffered no monetary losses and wanted the incident documented.
Sunday, May 5 at 5:15 p.m., a Lowell St. resident reported placing a check in the USPS box in Lexington Center the weekend of April 27. He reported his check was altered from $550 to $6500. Bank of America froze the withdrawal before any monetary loss.
*From AARP Fraud Watch Network April 2024
There are six scams experts say you should be watching out for this year. This week:
5. Multistage grandparent scam
“This is a new, more sophisticated version of the old grandparent scam, in which crooks call and pretend to be a grandchild who’s been arrested and needs bail money to get out of a nonexistent legal jam. In the past, grandparent scammers were often small-timers who would plead for a few hundred dollars. But these days, Foss says, they often set up call centers staffed with young people who are paid a few bucks for every grandparent that they can connect with. After posing as grandchildren who’ve been jailed after a car accident, they’ll provide a case number and instruct the target to call their defense attorney or the local prosecutor. “When Grandpa calls up, they say, ‘Oh, do you have the case number?’” Foss explains. It’s actually a subtle psychological trick to see whether the grandparent is compliant and will follow their instructions to send thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
Some scammers have a third conspirator pose as a courier and go to a grandparent’s home to pick up the money in person, according to Steve Baker, a former Federal Trade Commission official who now publishes the Baker Fraud Report newsletter.
How to stay safe: If you get a call from an unfamiliar number from a family member claiming to be in trouble, don’t panic. Instead, after you’ve finished talking — and certainly before sending money — the Federal Communications Commission recommends that you call or text the person at his or her usual number and check to see whether the family member is actually in trouble. If they don’t answer, contact other family members or friends if you have any concern that the emergency could be real. Scammers plead with you to keep the situation a secret precisely so you won’t try to confirm it.”
April Statistics
Animal Control: 22
Assist Fire Department: 89
Community Engagement: 14
Cruiser Check (house): 22
Cruiser Check (business): 212
Cruiser Check (person): 44
Cruiser Check (general): 73
Cruiser Check (total): 351
Directed Traffic: 153
Directed Park, Lock, and Walk: 8
Directed Park, Lock, and Walk – Schools:35
Fraud:15
*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.