Crime & Safety

Police Log: Two Arrested for Counterfeit Bills; Attempted Unarmed Robbery at Melrose Shell

Notable entries from last week's Melrose Police log.

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Two Arrested for Counterfeit Bills After Initial Arrest for Suspended License

Friday, April 8, 9:22 p.m. A 20-year-old Wakefield woman and 25-year-old Medford man were arrested after a Melrose Police officer pulled their car over and noticed dollar bills in the woman's handbag that turned out to be counterfeits.

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The officer first pulled the car over after observing a couple of motor vehicle violations, Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau said. When interviewing driver Laura A. Blair, of 15 Lincoln St., Wakefield, and passenger Robert Severino, of 121 Riverside Ave., Medford, the officer smelled a "strong odor" of marijuana in the car.

DeCroteau said Blair's license came back as suspended and the officer placed her under arrest on charges of driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

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"Looking into her car during the arrest, the officer could see a large amount of money in plain view sticking out of her handbag," DeCroteau said. Both Blair and Severino denied any ownership of the bills, which upon closer inspection, turned out to all share the same serial number and were printed on something other than the paper used for printing U.S. currency.

Blair and Severino were each arrested on the charge of possession of counterfeit notes. DeCroteau declined to state the denomination of the bills or the number of bills, citing an ongoing investigation involving the U.S. Secret Service.

Shell Gas Clerk Thwarts Robber's Attempted Cash Grab

Saturday, April 9, 1:03 p.m. A man reached over the counter and tried to snatch money from the cash register at , but was blocked by the clerk, who reported the attempted robbery to Melrose Police.

DeCroteau said that according to the clerk, the man entered the station at approximately 1 p.m. and asked for the key to use the outside restroom. When the man re-entered the store, he requested the clerk break up a $10 bill for him.

"When the clerk opened the register, the man reached over and attempted to grab the money (from the register)," DeCroteau said, adding that no weapon was shown and the robber did not make any threats to use a weapon. "The clerk was able to block him with his arm and keep him from doing that."

The man walked quickly out of the store and west towards the Lynn Fells Parkway. He was described as a white man between 30-40 years old with a large build and six feet tall, wearing a possibly denim hooded Dickies jacket and blue colored pants. He had his hood up over his head the whole time.

Horace Mann Student Cited for Malicious Damage to Car

Monday, April 4, 1:12 p.m. An 11-year-old student has been cited by Melrose Police after he was caught using a rock to scratch a car belonging to a school custodian.

The custodian came out of the school and found the student allegedly scratching the car and notified the police. DeCroteau said the incident has been set up for a court hearing, with the student issued a summons on the charge of malicious damage of a motor vehicle, but that the investigating officer has spoken to the student's parents and is trying to resolve the matter through restitution for the damage.

Other Incidents

Tuesday, April 5

12:12 p.m. Report from Windsor Street of fraud.

Wednesday, April 6

6:31 p.m. Caller reported marijuana pipe on his front lawn on First Street. Police picked up pipe, destroyed it at the station.

Thursday, April 7

10:38 a.m. Caller reports vandalism damage to vehicle on West Wyoming Avenue

11:24 a.m. Person reports items stolen from lobby of Main Street apartment building.

6:33 p.m. Melrose-Wakefield Hospital nurse reports threats made to him and staff.

Friday, April 8

9:28 a.m. Walk-in report of possible scam.

2:11 p.m. Report of past robbery at Town line Inn.

2:32 p.m. Teenagers threw what appeared to be snack cakes at another vehicle on Mount Hood Terrace. Four teenagers found by police, made to apologize.

Saturday, April 9

10:36 a.m. Caller complaining that animals owners are not leashing their animals at Hesseltine Park behind Horace Mann School. Officer spoke with animal owner.

 1:41 p.m. Report of larceny from Ferdinand Street.

3:01 p.m. Bicycle stolen from East Wyoming Avenue.

Other Arrests and Summonses

A 17-year-old Melrose girl was issued a summons on Monday, April 4 on the charge of threat to commit a crime.

A 42-year-old Revere woman was a summons on Tuesday, April 5 on charges of larceny under $250 (two counts) and larceny over $250.

A 28-year-old Malden woman was issued a summons on Friday, April 8 for an uninsured motor vehicle, an unregistered motor vehicle and a number plate violation.

A 46-year-old Melrose man was issued a summons on Friday, April 8 on the charge of threat to commit a crime.

A 33-year-old Melrose man was placed under warrant arrest on Saturday, April 9.


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