Crime & Safety

Police Log: Detectives Make Drug Arrest, Attempted Car Wash Break

Notable entries in last week's Melrose Police log.

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Detectives' Surveillance Leads To Class A Drug Arrest

Thursday, Feb. 3, 1:45 p.m. Two Melrose Police detectives were conducting surveillance based on reports of drug activity around the city when they saw two men in a vehicle and a possible drug sale take place, according to Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau.

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The plainclothes detectives pulled the car over at Cleveland Street and West Wyoming Avenue, where they interviewed the driver, Denis M. McMahon, 32, 963 Main St., Woburn, and subsequently him under arrest on the charge of possession of a Class A substance, DeCroteau said.

The substance allegedly in McMahon's possession is still undergoing testing to verify what it is; DeCroteau said Class A includes several opiates, including heroin.

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A passenger in the car was interviewed and released, but did not have a driver's license and the car was towed away.

Attempted Break Into Car Wash's Automated Machine

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 9:31 a.m. Employees at on Tremont Street reported finding damage in one of the wash's self-service bays, DeCroteau said, to a "bay vault"—the machine that patrons deposit money in to operate the wash.

"It appears somebody tried to strike that to get it open and they were unable to do so," he said.

The incident remains under investigation.

House Undergoing Work Broken Into, Tools Stolen

Saturday, Feb. 5, 10:11 a.m. A recent new homeowner on Berwick Street had been doing work in the home and on Saturday morning, reported that he returned to the house to discover some of his tools had gone missing.

"There was an apparent forced entry at the rear door of the residence," DeCroteau said. "He’s going to secure all those items in a different location while he’s working and it's still under investigation."

Sidewalk Plow Tips Over, Driver Goes To MGH

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 5:53 p.m. DeCroteau said a sidewalk snow plow on Lebanon Street tipped over. The driver was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, but there was no report of any injuries in the police report. Stephen's Towing righted the plow and towed it to the City Yard.

Other Incidents

Monday, Jan. 31, 2:47 p.m. Caller reported a hit and run on Main Street.

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 9:47 a.m. A Converse Lane resident reported possible identity theft, a checking account opened under someone else's name.

Thursday, Feb. 3, 1:16 p.m. Report of larceny from a vehicle at parking lot.

Thursday, Feb, 3, 6:35 p.m. 911 report of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance in West Wyoming Market. A 29-year-old Boston man was placed in protective custody.

Saturday, Feb. 5, 3:02 p.m. Off-duty firefighter reports seeing person in driveway on East Emerson Street with a possible handgun. Responding officers report that the person was using an Airsoft gun to remove ice.

Saturday, Feb. 5, 4:46 p.m. Person from West Wyoming Avenue reports threats over the phone.

Sunday, Feb. 6, 9:29 a.m. Caller reports she pulled off Fellsway onto Ravine Road and her vehicle slid into a snowbank and is stuck. Stoneham Police notified.

Sunday, Feb. 6, 10:17 a.m. Walk-in report of fraud from Main Street.

Other Arrests and Summonses

A 38-year-old Lowell woman was issued a summons on Monday, Jan. 31 on the charge of violating a probate court abuse prevention order.

A 42-year-old Melrose man was issued a summons on Thursday, Feb. 3 on the charge of violating an abuse prevention order.

A 37-year-old Duxbury, VT man was issued a summons on Friday, Feb. 4 on charges of driving an uninsured motor vehicle, an unregistered motor vehicle and attaching wrong plates.

A 19-year-old Melrose man was issued a summons on Sunday, Feb. 6 on charges of leaving the scene of property damage, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failing to stop/yield.


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