• Contact Us
  • Events calendar
Entering Swellesley
Pinnacle, Wellesley

The Swellesley Report

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

  • Advertise
  • Business index
  • Contribute
  • Wellesley Square
  • Private schools
  • Camp
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Top 10 things to do
  • Embracing diversity
  • Kids
  • About us
  • Events
  • Natick Report
  • COVID-19
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Athlete of the Week
  • Seniors
Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley residents warn of renewed check thievery

April 7, 2022 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

new wellesley mailbox on Washington Street near Weston Road intersection

The Wellesley Police log is frequently peppered with various incidents of fraud, including check fraud, and residents say things have gotten worse lately.

One reader wrote recently of having noticed noticed an unauthorized $10,000 withdrawal from their bank account. “Long story short—after notifying the bank and doing some investigation, I contacted the Wellesley police to report this. I then learned that my loss was one of a number that occurred following theft of mail from post office boxes in town.”

Fortunately for that resident, their bank reversed the withdrawal after receiving a detailed memo from the customer about the theft that included the police report. The customer has emailed friends warning them of the situation as well.

The theft brought back bad memories of the fishing scheme that crooks unleashed on the town back in 2019, in which they would lower sticky mouse traps via wire into mailboxes and snag checks. Then they’d alter the information on the checks and cash them illegally. The U. S. Postal Service responded by retrofitting mailboxes with devices to thwart such theft.

But now we hear thieves have become even more brazen in town.

A reader wrote that a neighbor had their mail stolen out of a mailbox outside the post office in Wellesley Square.

“Rather than the ‘fishing’ that happened in 2019 and led to the new more restrictive mail slots, now the thieves are taking the access doors off the mailboxes, stealing envelopes, altering checks and cashing them,” the reader wrote. “As you can imagine, when this happens it is a lot of work to clear this up with the bank, whoever the check was originally for, etc. So once again the advice is to deposit your mail inside the post office.”

We reached out to the Wellesley Police Department earlier in the week and they said they were planning to issue a public service announcement, which they have. The police say other communities are experiencing similar crime.

Among the advice from the police is to mail checks from within a post office when possible. If using a public mailbox, check that a collection will take place that day. And avoid mailing checks from your home mailbox.


  • Subscribe to Swellesley’s daily email
  • If you like what we do and want to help, please consider making a completely non-deductible contribution
Share

Filed Under: Crime, Police

Linden Square, Wellesley
Dedham Country Day School
Wonderful Wellesley, see what's new

Blood drive at Wellesley Police department on April 7

March 31, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Police department is hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross, set for Thursday, April 7, 10am-4pm at the Wellesley Police Department’s Kingsbury Room, 485 Washington St.

For an appointment to donate, please visit redcrossblood.org using sponsor code WellesleyCBD.

 

Wellesley police blood drive

Share

Filed Under: Health, Police

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

Wellesley Police offering citizen academy this spring

February 20, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Police DepartmentThe Wellesley Police Department is offering a 9-week Citizen Police Academy for adults beginning on March 16.

The program gives participants an overview of the Police Department’s functions and operating procedures. Classes feature a combination of lectures, tours, demonstrations, and hands-on practice.

Topics covered include:

  • E911 System & Dispatching
  • Motor Vehicle Law/Operating Under the Influence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Interview & Interrogation/Witness Identification
  • Narcotics Investigation
  • Computer/Internet Crimes
  • Criminal Law
  • Crime Prevention
  • Crime Scene Search/Evidence Processing
  • Defensive Equipment/Procedures and more

Participants also have a chance to ride along in a police cruiser with an officer after all classes have been completed.

Classes are held on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in the Kingsbury Room at the Wellesley Police Department.

The Academy runs for nine weeks, beginning on Wednesday, March 16 and ending on Wednesday, May 18. There is no class on Wednesday, April 20 due to spring vacation break for schools.

Space is limited to 20 students.

Please contact Officer Michael Pino ([email protected]) or Lt. Marie Cleary ([email protected]) for more information.

Share

Filed Under: Police

Exercise Coach, Wellesley

Norfolk County Sheriff to ride into Wellesley

February 17, 2022 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Learn more about the role of the Norfolk County Sheriff’s office and its work with local communities

Residents are invited to drop in for coffee and conversation with Sheriff Patrick McDermott on Friday, February 18 beginning at 8am at the Maugus Restaurant, 300 Washington Street, Wellesley.

This event is part of the Norfolk County diner tour, an effort to promote local restaurants and share public safety information.

The last high-profile visit to Wellesley from the sheriff’s office was back in October 2021 during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, when representatives rolled down Washington Street as part of the parade.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, sheriff, Norfolk
Norfolk sheriff department rep rolls down Washington Street during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, October 2021.

Last spring, Wellesley police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Kingsbury Street and discovered during the stop that the driver was carrying a fake ID from the Sheriff’s Department. The driver was later summonsed to Dedham District Court for Uttering a False Document and Unauthorized Making or Possession of a Badge.

These are just two exciting Wellesley-related sheriff’s tales I came up with off the top of my head. Imagine the stories Sheriff McDermott can tell.

Share

Filed Under: Law, Police

Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley Police log: Fraud & more fraud; suspicious activity at MassBay; license plate gone

February 12, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

wellesley police departmentWellesley, MA police log for the period of Feb. 1-6:

On February 1, 2022 at 11:07 a.m. an officer spoke with a female reporting party regarding suspected fraud.  The reporting party stated she received an email that appeared to be from an anti-virus software company that stated she would be billed for virus protection.  She stated she had previously subscribed to the service but had cancelled it so she called the phone number in the email and spoke to an unknown male party.  The unknown party requested bank and personal information, which the reporting party provided.  After speaking with the male party the reporting party thought the conversation was suspicious, contacted her bank, and closed her account.  There has been no monetary loss at this time and no suspects.

On February 2, 2022 at 1:40 p.m. an officer spoke to an employee of a business on Linden Street regarding check fraud.  The female reporting party stated she received a call from a female party from Colorado who stated she received a check in the mail from her business for $7,900.   The woman thought it was odd that she received the check so she did not attempt to cash it.  The reporting party contacted the bank and was able to put a monitor on the account.  There has been no financial loss suffered at this time.  

On February 5, 2022 at 1:31 a.m. an officer was dispatched to Mass Bay Community College for a report suspicious activity.  The reporting party stated he observed three individuals attempting to pull on one of the door handles on the back of the building.  He stated he saw five male parties walking on campus and when he approached them, they ran off.  The responding officer saw one of the males in front of the school who ran into the woods when he noticed the officer.   Officers checked the area, but did not find anyone walking around.  There was no entry gained to the building.

On February 5, 2022 at 2:56 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party regarding credit card fraud.  The reporting party stated on January 22nd she had used her debit card at a business on Linden Street and noticed later that it was no longer in her possession.  She thought she might have misplaced the card and learned on January 26th that a charge in the amount of $1,639.69 was made at Gucci E-Commerce.  She contacted her bank, filed a fraud claim, and received a new card.  She stated when she went back to the business on February 5th she was advised her debit card was left behind when she was there on January 22nd.  The officer is investigating.

On February 6, 2022 at 12:05 p.m. an officer spoke to a male party regarding a stolen front license plate.  The male party noticed the front plate missing on February 3rd and stated it was either taken from his residence in Wellesley or place of business in Dedham.  The officer looked at the vehicle and noticed the bolts that secure the plate in place were no longer on the vehicle.  The registration was entered into the NCIC computer system as stolen.

More Wellesley police logs


  • Subscribe to Swellesley’s daily email
  • Please consider contributing to Swellesley to sustain our independent journalism venture
Share

Filed Under: Police

Wellesley Police log: Babysitter eventually finds home; Cable bill battle; Snow pas

February 8, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Police Station
Wellesley Police Station

Wellesley MA police log for the period of Jan. 25-29:

Arrests

On January 27, 2022 at 10:55 p.m. Officer Scopa was dispatched to the area of Worcester Street near Weston Road for a report of an erratic operator.  The vehicle was located exiting Worcester Street onto Weston Road.  Officer Dixon attempted to stop the vehicle on Weston Road at Pilgrim.  The vehicle turned onto Pilgrim Road and stopped near Wilde Road.  Once the vehicle was stopped the operator exited the vehicle and told the officers he was okay.  Officer Scopa noticed there was damage to the right front tire and the rear of the vehicle.  When speaking with the driver, Officer Scopa detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath.  The driver was afforded the opportunity to take some reasonable tests of balance and coordination and was unable to successfully pass those 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 January 25, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. an officer was dispatched to a business on Central Street for a report of fraud.  The officer spoke with the owner of the business who stated two checks had been cashed against the businesses bank account that she did not write.  She did not recognize the names the checks were written out to.  The incident is under investigation.

On January 25, 2022 at 3:40 p.m. an officer was dispatched to a bank on Washington Street for a report of male party who had attempted to cash a fraudulent check at approximately 2:15 p.m.  The male party provided a driver’s license to cash the check.  The bank teller contacted the business and learned they still had the check number presented in their possession.  The male party asked for the check back and left the bank.  The male party identified by his license will be summonsed to Dedham District Court for Forgery of a Check and Uttering a False check.

On January 26, 2022 at 6:14 p.m. an officer was dispatched to a residence for an unknown male party who had entered the residence, apologized and stated he thought he was babysitting at that residence and then left.  It was later determined that the male party went to the wrong residence and was babysitting nearby.

On January 27, 2022 at 4:17 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party regarding damage to a window screen at her residence.  The officer observed damage to two exterior window screens that looked as though someone had used a screwdriver or similar type of tool to pry them up.  There was no access gained to the residence.  There are no suspects at this time.

On January 27, 2022 at 8:09 p.m. an officer spoke to two female parties regarding alleged threats to break into a locked room in their apartment.  The reporting party indicated that her roommate threatened to break into her room in the apartment because she refused to pay the cable bill.  The other female party stated she did not make any threats but merely asked the roommate to pay the cable bill.  The officer spoke to both female parties over the phone as neither of them were present at the residence. 

On January 28, 2022 at 11:25 a.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party who noticed two wooden dowels approximately 12’’ long sticking out of a window on her first floor.  She was unsure how long the wooden dowels had been there.   The residence had not been entered, but she wanted to report the incident.

On January 29, 2022 at 5:42 a.m. officers were dispatched to an apartment for an unwanted party.  The female reporting party stated that she had a friend staying over and that after she went to bed for the night the friend became louder and louder and refused to leave the apartment.  The officers spoke with the female party who agreed to leave, but was having difficulty arranging for a ride home.  She was eventually able to arrange for a ride home and left the apartment.

On January 29, 2022 at 5:55 p.m. an officer was dispatched to speak to a resident about a snow plow that had pushed a pile of snow to the end of the street causing one lane of the street to be blocked.  The neighbor who plowed the snow stated he has done so in the past and the snow is then plowed by the town plows.  He was advised that it is against the town bylaws to plow snow into the street and he agreed to move it to another location.


swellesley police ad

Share

Filed Under: Crime, Police

Wellesley Police log: Love scam; mystery moped; $20K necklace missing, found; ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend

February 3, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Police Station
Wellesley Police Station

Wellesley MA police log for the period of Jan. 10-21:

Arrests

A several month long investigation by Officer Misho culminated in the arrest of suspect on January 10, 2022 at 7:20 a.m.  In January 2020 Officer Misho spoke with a female reporting party who had fallen victim to a romance scam.  Over a period of a few months she sent several thousand dollars to an unknown individual who was posing as a male party that she believed she was in a romantic relationship with.   Officer Misho’s investigation revealed that the man had received one of the wire transfers made by the victim, withdrew the funds from his bank account and wired the funds to an individual in Nigeria.  He was taken into custody, transported to the station, booked in the usual manner, afforded all rights and transported to Dedham District Court.   

Incidents

On January 10, 2022 at 1:17 a.m. an officer was conducting security checks of businesses on Worcester Street when he observed a moped at a closed gas station.  As he approached the gas station, the moped and driver drove around the back of the building.  The officer was aware of a recent breaking and entering into a gas station in Natick and checked the doors to ensure they were securely locked.  While he was checking the doors the moped came back around to the front of the building and when the officer attempted to engage the driver he evaded the officer and drove westbound in the eastbound lane and then turned onto a side street.  The officer later located the moped in a parking lot but was unable to locate the driver.  The moped was not properly registered and was towed.

On January 11, 2022 at 6:32 p.m. an officer was dispatched to a business on Worcester Street for a report of an unruly customer.  The officer encountered the male party outside who admitted he did yell at a store employee when they did not have an item he wanted but thought it was an overreaction to contact the police.  The store employee stated the male party has become angry at other store employees in the past yelling and swearing at them.  The male party stated he would shop at another location in the future.

On January 13, 2022 at 12:40 p.m. an officer spoke to a female party who claimed someone had hit her vehicle while it was parked overnight.  The officer looked at the vehicle and noticed the damage to the front of the vehicle was consistent with damage to the guardrail it was parked up against.  The officer asked the reporting party if anyone else had keys to the vehicle.  The reporting party indicated she was the only one with keys to the vehicle but was unaware that the guardrail had been struck when parking the vehicle.  She was advised to contact her insurance company to file a claim for repairs to the vehicle.

On January 15, 2022 at 9:22 a.m. an officer spoke with a male reporting party who was the victim of a Craigslist scam.  The male party posted an item for sale on Craigslist and a potential buyer stated they would like to buy the item and sent a check for $1,500 more than the cost of the item and asked that the $1,500 be sent back to them via Venmo.  The male party deposited the check and sent the $1,500 before learning the check was fraudulent.  The bank indicated they would refund him the $1,500.   There are no suspects.

On January 15, 2022 at 6:11 p.m. an officer spoke to a male reporting party who stated he had left his pickup truck running on Central Street when he went into a restaurant to pick up some takeout food.  He stated when he exited the restaurant he noticed someone trying to move his vehicle and he was unable to get to the vehicle in time to stop the unknown individual from taking it.  He stated the vehicle was driven west on Central Street.   A Wellesley College Officer heard the radio transmission and began checking their campus and the area as well.  The Wellesley College Officer noticed a pickup truck running with another vehicle parked next to it in one of the parking lots on their campus.  The officer spoke to a male party that was standing between the pickup truck and another vehicle and asked him what was going on and he indicated he was just leaving and entered a Mazda and left the campus.  A query of that vehicle’s registration revealed it had been stolen in Malden.  

On January 17, 2022 at 12:45 an officer was dispatched to inspect a traffic control box on Washington Street at Seaward Road for a poster that had been pasted on the box.  The officer found a poster for Patriot Front.  Another officer located similar posters on two traffic control boxes on Washington Street.  The posters were removed and any damage to the paint will be repaired by the artists who painted the boxes.  The incident is under investigation.

On January 17, 2022 at 4:05 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the area of Cross Street for an aggressive dog that was unleashed.  The officer spoke to the male reporting party and the dog owner. The reporting party indicated the neighbor’s dog has attacked him by jumping on him on two occasions and he will be hiring an attorney to address the issue of the dog being unleashed.  The dog owner was apologetic and indicated the electric fence to keep the dog on his property malfunctioned and he will get it repaired.  He indicated the dog jumps when he is excited and he did not believe the dog was trying to harm his neighbor.  ACO Smith was notified and will follow up to ensure the fence is repaired.

On January 18, 2022 at 12:28 p.m. an officer spoke with a male party who stated his girlfriend’s bicycle had been stolen in Boston in September 2021 and he had been tracking bicycles being sold on the internet and noticed a bicycle that he believed might be his girlfriend’s being sold by an individual in Wellesley.  The officer spoke with the seller and was able to verify that the bicycle was not the one that had been stolen and that the seller buys used bicycles, fixes them up and resells them.

On January 18, 2021 at 2:56 p.m. an officer spoke with a female reporting party who noticed a male party in a vehicle taking photographs of her home.  The reporting party provided a vehicle description to the Emergency Communications Center.  The officer checked the area and was unable to locate the vehicle.  The reporting party stated when she made eye contact with the operator of the vehicle he quickly accelerated away from the area.  The reporting party was concerned because a vehicle was stolen from the residence a year ago and she noticed someone outside of the residence prior to the vehicle being taken.  The officer advised her to lock the car doors and ensure the house was secured as well.  

On January 18, 2022 at 3:50 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party regarding a missing diamond necklace valued at $20,000.  The reporting party stated the necklace had been secured in a lock box while they were away and that there had been several people in the residence while they were gone.  On January 19th the reporting party called back and stated the necklace had been located damaged in the garage.  

On January 21, 2022 at 2:10 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party that has been receiving unwanted text messages from an unknown person.  She had received six text messages over a period of three months.  She stated she believed the text messages may have come from her ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend or someone else his ex-girlfriend knows.  The incident is under investigation.

On January 21, 2022 at 3:15 p.m. an officer spoke to a female reporting party regarding a bank account being fraudulently opened in her name.  She stated she received a letter from a bank in Ohio confirming overdraft protection on a bank account that she had not opened.  When she contacted the bank the social security number associated with the account was not hers and they would not give her any identifying information on who may have opened the account.  The officer provided her with a copy of the Wellesley Police Department Identity Theft Guide and advised her to review her credit report to ensure there were no other accounts that had been compromised or other suspicious activity.


swellesley police ad

Share

Filed Under: Crime, Police

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Tip us off…

Please send tips, photos, ideas to [email protected]

 

Advertisements

Wellesley Square
Wellesley, Jesamondo
Edge on Science
Sexton test prep
Feldman Law
Fay School, Southborough
Wellesley Theatre Project
Volvo
Cheesy Street Grill
Admit Fit, Wellesley
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Never miss a post with our free daily Swellesley Report email
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

You can subscribe for free, though we appreciate any contribution that supports our independent journalism.

Click on Entering Natick sign to read our Natick Report

Entering Natick road sign

Most Read Posts

  • Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley's Brook Path
  • Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise 'Parking, parking, parking' concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Wellesley public works taking fresh look at RDF give-and-take area
  • The Wellesley aqueduct bathrooms at Hunnewell Field have landed
  • Wellesley POPS Senior Profile: Jessica Klurfeld doubly talented as clarinet player & singer

Upcoming Events

Aug 24
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tour at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network

View Calendar

Popular pages

  • Wellesley’s 7 official scenic roads

Recent Comments

  • Ian on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Katalin on Wellesley public works taking fresh look at RDF give-and-take area
  • peter of wellesley on Hardy Elementary School project starting to feel more real
  • J on Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley’s Brook Path
  • Donna on Wellesley public works taking fresh look at RDF give-and-take area

Links we like

  • Great Runs
  • Jack Sanford: Wellesley's Major League Baseball Star
  • Taquitos.net
  • Tech-Tamer
  • The Wellesley Wine Press
  • Universal Hub
  • Wellesley Sports Discussion Facebook Group

Categories

  • 2021 Town Election (24)
  • Animals (416)
  • Antiques (49)
  • Art (577)
  • Beyond Wellesley (47)
  • Books (366)
  • Business (1,503)
  • Camp (11)
  • Careers/jobs (48)
  • Churches (79)
  • Clubs (228)
  • Construction (295)
  • Dump (127)
  • Education (3,108)
    • Babson College (250)
    • Bates Elementary School (16)
    • Dana Hall School (34)
    • Fiske Elementary School (9)
    • Hardy Elementary School (44)
    • Hunnewell Elementary School (42)
    • MassBay (55)
    • Schofield Elementary School (24)
    • Sprague Elementary School (19)
    • St. John School (2)
    • Tenacre Country Day School (11)
    • Upham Elementary School (35)
    • Wellesley College (608)
    • Wellesley High School (961)
    • Wellesley Middle School (203)
  • Embracing diversity (69)
  • Entertainment (787)
  • Environment (749)
  • Fashion (141)
  • Finance (14)
  • Fire (163)
  • Food (343)
  • Fundraising (612)
  • Gardens (157)
  • Government (557)
    • 2020 Town Election (47)
    • 2022 Town Election (14)
  • Health (850)
    • COVID-19 (200)
  • Hikes (3)
  • History (388)
  • Holidays (405)
  • Houses (154)
  • Humor (47)
  • Kids (850)
  • Law (8)
  • Legal notices (6)
  • Letters to the Editor (62)
  • Media (70)
  • METCO (4)
  • Military (11)
  • Morses Pond (108)
  • Music (568)
  • Natick Report (29)
  • Neighbors (273)
  • Obituaries & remembrances (73)
  • Outdoors (642)
  • Parenting (62)
  • Police (757)
    • Crime (386)
  • Politics (551)
  • POPS Senior Profile (8)
  • RDF (6)
  • Real estate (331)
  • Religion (131)
  • Restaurants (332)
  • Safety (151)
  • Scouts (2)
  • Seniors (120)
  • Shopping (144)
  • Sponsored (6)
  • Sports (980)
    • Athlete of the Week (6)
  • STEM (107)
  • Technology (164)
  • Theatre (392)
  • Town Meeting (23)
  • Transportation (230)
  • Travel (17)
  • Uncategorized (1,230)
  • Volunteering (346)
  • Weather (177)
  • Wellesley Election 2019 (21)
  • Wellesley Free Library (276)
  • Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend (19)
RSS Feed Icon Subscribe to RSS Feed
Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley

© 2022 The Swellesley Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login