The Swellesley Report

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

Wellesley Police log: Rocky relationship between neighbors; laptop goes missing from home; money gone from locker

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Wellesley police stationWellesley,Mass., police log for the week of Jan. 11-16:

Arrests

On January 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Officer Mankavech was conducting traffic enforcement when he stopped a Honda sedan for a revoked registration.  A query of the operator’s information showed there were 3 active warrants, a default warrant issued by Barnstable District Court for Wanton Destruction of Property Over $1,200, a straight warrant issued by Orleans District Court for motor vehicle related offenses and a default warrant issued by Falmouth District Court for motor vehicle related offenses.  He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner afforded all rights and transported to Dedham District Court.

On January 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Officer Pino responded to the police station for a male party who stated he had warrants and wanted to turn himself in.  Officer Pino confirmed there was an active warrant issued by Boston District Court for Possession of a Class B Substance and Possession of a Class E Substance.  He was booked in the usual manner and transported to Dedham District Court.

Incidents

On January 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Officer Pino spoke with a male reporting party who stated a family member’s vehicle was broken into on January 9th, but nothing was taken.  A review of video footage from a neighbor’s security camera showed that the 3 youths that had broken into several other vehicles in the area were responsible. 

On January 11, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. Officer Pino spoke with a female reporting party regarding identity theft.  The reporting party attempted to renew her passport online and inadvertently clicked on a link that was not the correct link.  The website asked for personal data and credit card information.  She received a call from her credit card company stating that there were attempted charges in Spain.  Officer Pino provided her with the information needed to report that her social security number was potentially stolen and advised her to contact one of the 3 major credit reporting bureaus to monitor her credit for any suspicious activity.

On January 11, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Officer Pino spoke with a male reporting party who stated a laptop was possibly stolen from his residence on

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Linden Square, Wellesley
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Wellesley Police arrest 3 juveniles following Crest Road-area car break-ins

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Wellesley police stationWellesley Police officers were called to area of Crest Road late Saturday evening, Jan. 9,  for reports of several cars that had been broken into.  All of the cars were unlocked at the time of the thefts.  Officers and residents identified at least 12 vehicles that were entered and either ransacked or had valuables stolen.

Wellesley’s police logs have been littered with car (and house) break-in reports of late, not that they are necessarily connected with this fresh batch.

As officers investigated on foot through the neighborhood, Officer Chris Fritts spotted a vehicle leaving the area with no lights on.  Sergeant Mark Carrasquillo then located the vehicle in Wellesley Square.  The vehicle fled in a highly erratic manner on Washington Street when Sergeant Carrasquillo attempted to stop it.

A short pursuit occurred and the vehicle eventually stopped on the Kingsbury Street bridge after the operator lost control while fleeing and collided with a police cruiser.  Two suspects were placed into custody immediately; a third was apprehended in a parking lot after a foot pursuit by Officer Fritts.  All three suspects were juvenile males and residents of Boston.

Officers subsequently learned that the vehicle involved in the pursuit had just been stolen from Sunset Road after the keys were left in it while it was parked unlocked on the street.  Many of the stolen items from the Crest Road neighborhood were recovered inside the stolen vehicle.

The juvenile suspects will be arraigned in Norfolk Juvenile Court on multiple counts of breaking and entering into motor vehicles and receiving stolen property.  The driver of the stolen vehicle will also face various traffic charges as well.

Officer Mark DeBernardi is leading the investigation.

One break-in victim told us that “They left $50 in my daughter’s car, my eight tracks, and took nothing from my wife’s car.”

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Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

Wellesley Police log: Newton man tossed out of RDF; cars stolen from homes; driver crashes into fence, takes off

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Wellesley Police DepartmentWellesley, Mass., police log for the week of Dec. 28-Jan. 3:

Arrests

On December 29, 2020 at 10:35 a.m. Officer Mankavech was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he observed a Jeep Wrangler with the male driver looking at his cellular phone while driving.  He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license and registration.  A query of his information showed there was an active warrant issued by the Framingham District Court for his arrest.  He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to Framingham District Court.

Incidents

On December 28, 2020 at 10:34 a.m. Officer Cunningham was dispatched to the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility for a dispute.  The male reporting party from Newton stated that he had come to the Wellesley RDF to dump his trash and was confronted by an employee that told him he could not dispose of his trash because he was not a resident.  The employee took his personal information and requested to see his driver’s license and then took a photograph of the license.  He stated a short time later he received a phone call and was told he could dispose of his trash if he wanted to pay a fee.  He went to the RDF office and was advised he would not be able to dispose of his trash.  He felt the office employee was rude and he requested that the photo of his driver’s license be removed from the employee’s phone.  The photo was deleted, the male party was issued a verbal no trespass order and advised a written notice would be mailed to him.

On December 28, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. Officer Pino spoke with a male reporting party who stated he believed the catalytic converter may have been stolen from his vehicle while he was at work in Wellesley.  He stated when he left work he noticed the vehicle was making a loud noise so he brought the car to a mechanic who advised him the car part had been removed.  There are no suspects.

On December 30, 2020 at 7:48 a.m. Sgt. Lemenager was on patrol when he observed a GMC pickup truck and conducted a random query of the vehicle’s registration.  The query showed that the owner’s license was suspended.  Sgt. Lemenager stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator and confirmed he was the registered owner.  He will be summonsed to Dedham District Court for Operating a Motor Vehicle After License Suspension.

On December 30, 2020 at 9:16 a.m. Officer Collins was conducting traffic enforcement on Washington Street near the Hunnewell Fields when a Toyota sedan passed his location and he conducted a random query of the vehicle’s registration.  The query showed that the vehicle’s registration was revoked due to lack of insurance.  Officer Collins stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator.  He will be summonsed to Dedham District Court for Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked Registration and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle.

On December 30, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Officer Misho spoke with a male and female reporting party regarding a family member who had left the house on December 28th after an argument and as of December 30th they have not heard from him.   On

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Stretch Lab, Wellesley

Wellesley Animal Control Officer Sue Webb to retire after 45 years on the job

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Wellesley Animal Officer Sue Web is set to retire this month after 45 years on the job keeping the town safe for residents by making sure that animals are kept under control, licensed, and vaccinated, among other duties.

World of Wellesley event
Animal Control Officer Sue Webb, pictured with Officer Lamars Hughes, 2018.

In an email, Officer Webb says starting Stray Pets in Need (SPIN) is one of the projects she’s most proud of. The program, she says, makes sure “all unclaimed pets had a place to go for treatment and adoption so animals picked up by Animal Control are never euthanized due to lack of space or funding for medical treatment.”

She also cited promoting microchip clinics to implant tiny transponders in pets’ skin to aid in finding lost animals. Because of the program, she says the town has a very high rate of return to owners of both dogs and cats.

Officer Webb has also over the years stepped up coordination with volunteers and veterinarians to trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate and return feral cats to their feeders or colonies. The program experienced its intended gradual success, getting Wellesley to the point where the town no longer has colonies of feral cats.

One part of the job Officer Webb really enjoyed was the opportunity to tell young people about what she does. “When it was possible to go into the schools, I really enjoyed educating the kids and had developed different topic for each grade level so they learned something new each year I came to talk.”

As for the future, Officer Webb will continue her volunteer work with SPIN to coordinate volunteers to help with transportation of senior’s pets to veterinary appointments. She also coordinates foster for pets from domestic violence programs through Safe People Safe Pets.

“There are so many other issues I want to devote more time promote through legislation and networking with others,” Officer Webb says, as well as taking “some time to travel in my camper and visit friends and interesting sites around the country.”

As of her retirement date, Tuesday, January 5, 2021, that time will be hers.

We wish Sue well.

Think you can fill Officer Webb’s shoes? Here’s what it takes:

The Town of Wellesley is currently seeking an Animal Control Officer. The incumbent in this role will be responsible for enforcing Wellesley’s Animal Control By-law including Chapter 140, Section 136-175 of the General Laws of the State.

Under the general supervision of the Police Chief, this position provides a safe environment for its citizens and protects them against disease and uncontrollable dogs or other animals and determines if dogs or pets are a nuisance, miscreant of duly licensed within the meaning of the Animal Control By-law. The incumbent investigates and reports all animal bites to the Board of Health and is responsible for proper quarantine of the animals reported to have bitten a person for the mandatory 10 day isolation period and reporting to the condition of the animal at the end of the 10 day isolation period. Additionally, this position takes animal specimens to the State Diagnostic Laboratory in Jamaica Plain for evaluation that have been involved in biting situations of humans, assists at annual dog rabies clinics and makes annual inspections of all premises in Wellesley that keep domestic livestock. Additional duties include patrolling school playgrounds and other recreational areas in a specially equipped van to seek out and capture uncontrolled, stray, unlicensed and other dogs in violation of the By-law and transporting to kennel for impoundment or place in custody of a veterinarian for hospitalization, investigating complaints and taking appropriate action as warranted, including snaring animals with rope, net or other approved devices and place animal in caged vehicle or will issue citation notice or restraining order to owner in accordance with the Animal Control By-law and will follow up to assure owner is in compliance.

More here.

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Christmas Night fire in Wellesley

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Wellesley firefighters and police, as well as the Needham Fire Department, responded to a call shortly after 9pm on Christmas Night for a fire on Wildon Road in Wellesley.

Wellesley Fire Chief Rick DeLorie reports that crews contained the fire to a small area, and that residents and firefighters were fine. The house is also able to remain occupied. Deputy Corda and his crews responded quickly and contained the fire, according to DeLorie.

The cause appeared to be a faulty electrical outlet. Further investigation will take place.

Needham, Weston, and Newton Fire Departments covered Wellesley headquarters during the fire.

Last week Wellesley’s Fire Department fought a blaze on Riverdale Road that destroyed a home.

Storm does its damage

Local first responders were busy on Christmas Day. The overnight rain and wind storm on Christmas Eve took its tool around town. Reader PC shared this photo of a downed tree on Hampshire Road near Bristol Road.  “No damage to people, property or electricity.”

hampshire road tree down

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Wellesley, Dover first responders rescue dog from icy Charles River

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Wellesley and Dover police and firefighters joined forces on Tuesday afternoon to save a dog named Popeye that broke through the ice on the Charles River while on a walk at Elm Bank Reservation.

“Popeye was unable to crawl out of the river due to the build-up of ice along the river bank,” according to a Tweet by Wellesley Police.

Wellesley firefighters pulled the dog from the water and warmed him up, before Popeye was transported to an animal hospital. The dog is expected to be fine.

While dogs are supposed to be leashed at Elm Bank Reservation, they rarely are. Wellesley Animal Control Officer Sue Webb says the dog owner did the right thing in calling for help and not going into the water. She says: “If they are loose, dogs should be under control near such a dangerous river especially in the winter.  It puts others at risk trying to save the dog and we don’t want people going under.”

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Wellesley Police log: Devastating house fire; backyard pool becomes public skating rink; shoplifting from a store & a car

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Wellesley police stationThe Wellesley, Mass., police log for the week of Dec. 14-20:

Arrests

On December 18, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. Officer DiCenso was dispatched to a residence on Cedar Street for a report of a dispute between two female parties.  Officers spoke with the individuals involved and learned that there was an active warrant issued by the Middlesex Superior Court for 1 of the women.  She was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later transported to court.

On December 19, 2020 at 12:31 p.m. Officer Mankavech was conducting traffic enforcement on Worcester Street when he observed a Nissan sedan with defective brake lights.  As he entered traffic to stop the vehicle he saw the vehicle make multiple lane changes as if trying to evade Officer Mankavech.  A query of the vehicle’s registration indicated there was an active warrant issued by the Attleboro District Court for motor vehicle related offenses.  He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator, and requested his license and registration.   Officer Mankavech asked if he was trying to evade him.  He affirmed he knew he had a warrant and he was trying to get to Interstate 95 to avoid being stopped.    He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and later released on $100 bail.

Incidents

On December 14, 2020 at 1:50 p.m. Officer Mankavech was conducting traffic enforcement at Fire Headquarters when he was approached by an elderly male party who appeared confused and did not know where he was.  While Officer Mankavech was speaking with him the Emergency Communications Center received a phone call from a family member of the male party stating he had wandered away from the home.  The family member picked up the male party and safely returned him home.  The male party suffers from dementia.  The male party’s personal information and a photograph were added to the Wellesley Police Department’s Safewatch list and the Elder Affairs Officers will follow up with the family to see if there are other services available to assist them with preventing the male party from wandering from the residence in the future.

On December 14, 2020 at 6:10 p.m. Officer DeBernardi spoke with a female reporting party regarding vandalism to her motor vehicle.  The reporting party stated she went to work on Worcester Street on December 10th at 7:45 a.m. and left work at 5:45 p.m.  She found that her rear driver’s side tire was flat.  She took it to be repaired the following day and learned that the tire appeared to have been intentionally slashed.  She was unaware of anyone who would want to vandalize her vehicle and requested the incident be document for her insurance company.

On December 15, 2020 at 9:19 a.m. Officer Mankavech was dispatched to the area of Suffolk Road and Bristol Road for a report of a town by-law violation.  He learned that a pool company was pumping water from the backyard into the roadway.  The water then froze on the sidewalks and roadway causing a hazard.  Officer Mankavech asked the male party pumping the water in to the roadway if he had a permit and he indicated he did not.   The male party agreed to stop pumping water during the cold temperatures.  Officer Mankavech notified the building inspector of the incident.

On December 16, 2020 at 6:15 a.m. Officer Gerard was dispatched to a parking complaint for residents parking in areas that were not designated parking spots.  Officer Gerard verified that all vehicles belonged to residents of the apartment complex and issued them warnings for parking in the Fire Lane.

On December 16, 2020 at 8:22 a.m. Officer Kane spoke with a female party regarding a theft from an unlocked vehicle.   A gold bracelet valued at $100 had been taken from the glove box.  The reporting party stated when viewing her ring doorbell camera, she noticed two male parties enter the vehicle at 1:28 a.m.  The incident is under investigation.

On December 19, 2020 at 9:36 a.m. Officer Popovski was dispatched to a business on Central Street for a report of a past theft from the store.  The store employee stated that the previous day at 2:26 p.m. an older man and woman entered the store. The male party took a black Tumi crossbody handbag valued at $245 and put it inside his jacket.  Both parties then left the store.  The reporting party stated they spoke to another store owner and were told that the same couple had taken an item from his store as well.  There are no suspects at this time.

On December 19, 2020 at 11:05 a.m. Officer J. Popovski spoke to a female reporting party regarding fraudulent credit card charges.  She stated she still has the credit card in her possession and two charges to Napa online in the amount of $470.20 each and 3 additional attempted charges that were declined.  Her bank cancelled the card and she will not be held responsible for the charges.  No suspects.

On December 20, 2020 at 12:06 a.m. Officer Knapp was dispatched to a residence on Riverdale Road for a report of a house fire (more details).  Upon arrival a female party was outside with her 2 children and she stated her husband had gone back into the house to try to locate their family dog.  Officer Knapp went into the residence and observed there was heavy smoke.  He located the male party on the 2nd floor and escorted him from the residence.  The Wellesley Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.   The incident is under investigation by the Wellesley Fire Department and The State Fire Marshall’s Office.

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