The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Police investigating attempted break-in at home owned by Celtics player and mother

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The Wellesley Police Department responded to a call for a possible breaking and entering at a home near Beebe Meadow on Sunday, December 15 shortly after 8pm.  As has been widely reported since, the home belongs to Boston Celtics playerJaylen Brown and his mother, and has been cited as another example of thieves possibly targeting homes of star athletes.

Officers checked the residence and confirmed there was an attempted break-in when they found a broken window.  Residents were home at the time of the incident (the Celtics player was on the road for a game).  It did not appear that anything had been disturbed inside the residence nor did it appear that anything was taken.  There were no injuries.

 The incident remains under investigation.

Wellesley has been something of a magnet for Celtics players and management over the years. After we made note that Malcolm Brodgon had moved to Wellesley upon joining the Celtics in 2022-2023, we got a request from hs security firm asking us to nix that mention from our site (we didn’t). We don’t publish the addresses of public figures, though, out of respect for privacy.

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Wellesley Police log: OUIs; Masked men; Shoplifting season; All varieties of fraud; Fake ICE call

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The latest Wellesley Police Department log from October and November, 2024

Arrests

On Friday, October 11, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Officer Misho was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street at Bancroft Road when he observed an Acura SUV and conducted a random query of the vehicle’s registration.  The query showed that the vehicle was not properly inspected and the registered owner’s license was suspended.  Officer Misho stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator and owner, who was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and transported to Dedham District Court.

On Friday, November 1, 2024, at 4:33 a.m. Officer Carr was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street near Cliff Road when he observed a Honda sedan with heavily tinted windows pass his location.  He conducted a query of the registration which showed the vehicle was not properly inspected.  He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested her driver’s license and the vehicle registration.  She provided Officer Carr with her driver’s license but was unable to find the vehicle’s registration.   Officer Carr queried the operator’s information and learned there was an active straight warrant for her arrest for motor vehicle related offenses that had been issued on October 23rd.  She was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and released on personal recognizance.

On November 2, 2024, at 1:35 a.m. while conducting security checks of the businesses he heard a car horn sounding, and his attention was drawn to a vehicle traveling west in the eastbound lane on Worcester Street.  The vehicle passed several side streets and continued to travel in the wrong direction. The vehicle eventually turned into a parking lot on Worcester Street.  Officer Wagner spoke with the operator, and immediately detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver. The officer observed the drivers’ eyes to be bloodshot and watery and there was significant damage to the front end of the vehicle that appeared to be new damage. The operator was afforded the opportunity to perform some reasonable tests of balance and coordination. He was unable to successfully complete these tests. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

On November 16, 2024 at 2:21 a.m. Sgt. Lemenager was traveling on Central Street when he observed a Subaru Outback fail to stop for a stop sign on Cross Street at Central Street.  He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator. While speaking with the driver, Sgt. Lemenager detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. He was afforded the opportunity to take some reasonable tests of balance and coordination. He was unable to successfully complete these tests. He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on personal recognizance.

 

Incidents

 

On October 1, 2024, at 9:40 a.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party who fell victim to an email scam where she received an electronic invitation from Punchbowl. The reporting party was familiar with the name on the invitation, so she opened it and entered her information as requested. Shortly thereafter Punchbowl began sending invitations to people on her contact list that appeared to have been sent by her but were not sent by her. The reporting party has not noticed any suspicious activity with her bank accounts or credit cards. She was advised to continue monitoring this information
and she stated she would.

On October 2, 2024, at 10:31 a.m. an officer was dispatched to a bank for a counterfeit $20 bill. The bank manager showed the officer the $20 bill that he suspected was counterfeit and indicated that their internal fraud department would handle the investigation and would forward the bill to the Secret Service as well.

On October 2, 2024, an officer was dispatched to a store on Worcester Street for a report of a suspicious male party. The store employees reported that on several occasions the male party would walk around the store and stare at them making them feel uncomfortable. The male party was issued a letter of no trespass and advised he was not welcome to return to the store.

On October 2, 2024, at 3:28 p.m. an officer spoke to a male reporting party who stated that an iPhone 16 that was delivered by FedEx to his residence was stolen after it was delivered, and he had security video of the theft. A contractor who was at the residence at the same time provided a description of a male party wearing a ski mask and that he got into what he believed to be a Honda Civic.

On October 3, 2024, at 8:11 a.m. Officer Cunningham spoke with a male party who stated an iPhone 16 was delivered by FedEx to his residence. He observed on his ring camera that a male party walked to his doorstep and took the package the previous day. The video showed a male party wearing red pants and a white hooded jacket take the package and then get into a small black sedan and leave the area.

On October 4, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. an officer was dispatched to a residence for a well- being check of an elderly resident at the request of her physician’s office. The officer noticed while speaking with her that she was having some memory issues and needed some assistance. The officer [Read more…]

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Wellesley Police: Man gets ‘life-threatening electrical shock’ installing holiday lights

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The Wellesley Police Department reports that a man apparently got “a life-threatening electrical shock” while installing holiday lights on a large tree on Falmouth Circle on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at around 10 am. After being treated at the scene, the man was transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital for additional treatment, then transferred to the Massachusetts General Hospital (no further status on the man’s condition was provided).

The initial investigation revealed that a large pole used by the contractor to string holiday lights for a resident came into close proximity or actually contacted the primary electrical line on the top of a nearby utility pole. The victim was apparently electrocuted when this contact was made, and a 911 call was made.

The 911 caller was instructed by a police dispatcher to perform CPR until officers arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. The Wellesley Fire Department, Municipal Light Plant, and a mutual aid paramedic ambulance from the Needham Fire Department were looped into the response.

Police officers determined the man appeared to be in cardiac arrest and took over performing CPR. Police and fire personnel set up an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to deliver shocks that appear to have revived the victim. A paramedic ambulance from Needham Fire arrived and began rendering advanced life support care before the man was transported to the hospital.

During a safety check by the WMLP, it was determined that the utility pole itself was of no danger to the public. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) personnel are also involved now in the investigation.

 

falmouth circle electrocution
Wellesley Police photo from Falmouth Circle

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Town personnel news: Wellesley Deputy Police Chief appointed; Mobility Manager hired; Firefighters graduate from academy

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The town of Wellesley has made the following appointments and hires:

 

Renzella promoted to Wellesley Deputy Police Chief

 

Veteran officer and lifelong Wellesley resident Jeff Renzella has been promoted to deputy chief at the Wellesley Police Department. He was sworn in at the Nov. 19 Select Board meeting and his wife, Maura Renzella, pinned on his new uniform hardware (see Wellesley Media recording at about 4-minute mark).

Renzella’s community contributions beyond his police work include being an assistant coach for the Wellesley High football team.

Chief Scott Whittemore said of Renzella: “Jeff knows what the department needs and how to make it better.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Renzella was recognized with a formal salute from his officers outside the Tolles Parsons Center.

New Wellesley Police Deputy Chief Jeff Renzella gets pinned by wife Maura
Maura Renzella pins badge on uniform of new Wellesley Police Deputy Chief Jeff Renzella (Town of Wellesley photo)

 

Mobility Manager hired

 

Wellesley has hired Sheila Page as its first Mobility Manager, reporting into the Select Board office. Page has planning experience in recent years with the towns of Ashland and Lexington.

In posting a job opening earlier this year for a Transportation and Mobility Manager, the town sought someone “to provide professional, administrative, and technical work in the development and implementation of neighborhood-based and town-wide transportation plans.” During public discussions on adding this job to the payroll, one goal cited was aiding the town in grant writing. At a recent meeting, it was mentioned that Page could play a role in reviewing transportation strategies at Wellesley Park, where The Nines apartment complex is located.

 

New firefighters on board

Four recently introduced Wellesley firefighters have become official members of the team after graduating as part of a class of 31 from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program in Stow. The Wellesley firefighters are Ivan Cabassa, Sean Higgins, Kevin Leland, and Kyle Sikora.

Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Class #325 graduates (Department of Fire Services courtesy photo)

 

Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli at the Nov. 19 Select Board meeting also introduced three more recruits who will be going through the academy (see Wellesley Media recording at about the 40-minute mark).

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Wellelsey police interrupt Livingston Road home break-in, make arrest

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The Wellesley Police Department on Monday, Nov. 18 shortly after 6pm received a residential burglar alarm for a home on Livingston
Road. As two officers arrived at the residence, they interrupted a breaking and entering in progress and encountered two individuals fleeing on foot.

Officers and Detectives from the Wellesley Police Department, Dover, Needham, Wellesley College Campus Police and Massachusetts State Police
responded to assist in searching the area. At approximately 7:00 p.m. a resident reported seeing a male party running through their yard on Longmeadow Road. Lt. Jeff Renzella encountered the male party, later identified as being from Denver, and he was taken into custody.

Officers continued to search the area for the second individual with the assistance of two Massachusetts State Police K9’s, the State Police Airwing and
officers from area forces. Drones were also deployed by the Dover and Wellesley Police to assist with the search, but it was ultimately determined that the second suspect had fled the area.

The Wellesley Police encourage residents to report any suspicious active to the Emergency Communications Center by calling 9-1-1.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Wellesley Police warn of phone scammers impersonating cops

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The Wellesley Police Department has alerted the public of a phone scam in which a caller from the number 781-235-1212 informs residents that they missed jury duty and must pay a bunch of money.

“This is a SCAM!” wrote the police, using rather spammy ALL CAPITAL LETTERS and an exclamation point in a post on its Facebook page.

The scammers have spoofed the police business line and use officers’ names to make the calls seem more believable.

Those receiving such calls should just hang up, say the police, who have received several reports of the calls.

Please send tips, photos, ideas (but no SCAMS!) to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Wellesley police respond to ‘swatting call,’ find no threat at high school

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Wellesley High School Principal Dr. Jamie Chisum messaged students and parents/guardians on Friday afternoon to make them aware that the Wellesley Police Department responded to a “swatting call” it received at 1pm regarding the school. The apparent prank call to emergency services stated there was a student in a bathroom with a gun, but the police found no concerns after checking and clearing all bathrooms.

A similar message went to police departments in other communities, including Wayland and Weston, according to Chisum’s message.

“The police traced the origin of this call through its IP address to a residence in France.  WPD has been in contact with their area colleagues to share details about the matter,” Chisum wrote. Six police offers were on site, and worked with school administration to search the school.

Chisum encouraged parents/guardians to check in with their children.

Those with concerns about the matter should reach out to the police directly.

The police had nothing to add to what the schools shared. Though asked about how often the police get such calls, Lt. Marie Cleary wrote that “We don’t receive many swatting calls and all of our dispatchers and supervisors as well as patrol have training In identifying these types of calls.”

Note: Post updated on 10/23/24 with police comment.

We appreciate readers sharing news of interest to the entire Wellesley community with us: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com