Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Thursday, Oct. 27 through Nov. 8, 2022. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing to media outlets reports related to incidents related to domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation.
Thursday, Oct. 27
7:51 a.m. Tree branch reported down on Prospect Street.
7:51 a.m. Lights on flash reported on Pleasant and Smith streets.
7:54 a.m. Officer investigated report of past assault and battery on Broughton Road. Officer found the reporting party crying and shaking because a work crew hired by the Marblehead Housing Authority to do asbestos abatement showed up to her residence unannounced shortly after 7 a.m. She claimed a member of the work crew put his hands on her. Woman explained she had received a written notice from the Marblehead Housing Authority a short time earlier advising residents work would be conducted for the asbestos abatement during a certain time in October and November between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Prior to the work being started, each resident was to be notified the day prior in order for them to be prepared. According to woman, she never received notification the day before and was upset because the workers were there around 7:15 a.m., moving her belongings from her yard and cutting down shrubs. Upset with the unannounced visit, woman had decided to take video with her cell phone of the work crew to provide to the Marblehead Housing Authority. Once outside, woman said a work crew member confronted her while she was filming and pushed her back, which is when she contacted police. Officer reviewed video on woman’s cell phone, which seemed to support the allegation that the worker had pushed her. Officer spoke to worker to get his side of the story. He said he understood he was being filmed, but was concerned for woman’s safety, as she was inside a sectioned-off “danger zone.” Worker said he only pushed her back because it was his responsibility to keep her safe. Officer advised the worker that, though his intentions may have been good, he never should have put his hands on the woman. Officer the reviewed the video a second time and determined that woman had not, in fact, entered the sectioned-off area. Officer said he would document the incident, in case she wanted to pursue criminal charges.
1:12 p.m. Officer spoke with a resident regarding an act of vandalism to his Chevy pickup truck. Man said he had parked his truck on Heritage Way at about 3 p.m. Oct. 25 and returned to find someone had smeared feces (unknown if human or animal) underneath the driver’s side door handle. Man had not witnessed the perpetrator in the act, but he believed it might have been his next-door neighbor, with whom he had been having issues since this past spring related to a tree he wanted to take a tree down on his property. When workers arrived to take down the tree, she allegedly told them that she was going to ruin the man’s life. In addition to the tree incident, man alleged there were two other recent incidents where neighbor caused a disturbance, one when he was putting up a privacy fence on his property, which abuts the neighbor’s property. While the workers were putting up the fence, the woman allegedly came outside and started to complain to the workers about the fence’s location and the fact that it was not facing the correct way. It got to the point where the workers had to stop their work, the man said. The other incident occurred when the man’s friend brought an excavator to his property to do work on a Sunday, which is not allowed in town. Man said she had gone as far as blowing an air horn in the direction of his property. Officer advised man that all three alleged incidents would be documented. Officer also planned to check the area of Heritage Way to see if there were any security cameras that might have recorded the vandalism to the truck.
4:22 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the area of Steer Swamp for a report of gunshots. Neither officer heard gunshots or saw signs of shooting while in the area, and they spoke to a person walking a dog in the area, who said he had not heard or seen anything either. Officers concluded that caller may have heard hunters on the ocean firing at birds, as it is
currently waterfowl hunting season (Sept. 24 until the last Sunday in January).
8:05 p.m. Keys were found in the door of a building on Washington Street.
Friday, Oct. 28
6:11 a.m. A suspicious man was reported on Calthrope and Stonybrook roads.
7:40 a.m. Lights on flash reported on Lafayette and Maple streets.
9:38 a.m. A crosswalk violation was reported on West Shore Drive and Waterside Road.
4:07 p.m. Walk-in to police station reported harassment.
6:04 p.m. An intoxicated man was transported to the hospital from Pleasant Street.
7:07 p.m. Man came to the police station to file a report of alleged criminal harassment. Man said he had gotten into the elevator at his condominium complex with his service dog and realized that the dog’s leash was stuck in the doors as the elevator began to move. Man said he was trying to get the elevator to stop, but it kept pulling at his dog’s leash. The elevator then stopped before the man or his dog got hurt. But the elevator was now broken, and the Fire Department had to come get them out. Man said the owner of the complex could not get the elevator company there to fix it for a few days and that he was now being blamed him for
breaking the elevator, when it was just an accident. Man showed the officer an unsigned postcard addressed to him that had a picture of Red’s restaurant in Salem on it, on which was written a message blaming man for breaking the elevator. Man believed he knew that an upstairs neighbor had sent it, as the man had confronted him on the subject at a local cafe. Man said another neighbor had also been harassing him by “yelling stuff” as he walked past his door and badmouthing him in the parking lot. Man said he wanted a restraining order against both of his neighbors. He was told he could apply for a harassment prevention order in court and that he should call police if there was any kind of confrontation.
Saturday, Oct. 29
7:33 a.m. Lights on flash reported on Lafayette and Maple streets.
9:13 a.m. Vehicle crash reported on School Street.
9:49 a.m. Officer responded to report of a man possibly down on Tedesco and Salem streets in Swampscott.
10:39 a.m. Investigated report of rock painting on West Shore Drive.
1:04 p.m. Officer spoke with woman who came into the police station to report that on Oct. 11, her son had been walking to school on the rail trail and stepped into a hole while attempting to cross the street at the Mohawk Road and Pleasant Street crosswalk, which she believed had been created by the sidewalk construction project in the area. Woman stated that the crossing guard located at that location told her son that he should sue the town. Woman added that her son limped his way to school, where the school nurse sent him home for the day due to his injuries. When she reported his injuries, the principal of Marblehead High School told her to file a police report. Officer suggested reaching out to the public works superintendent and filing a formal complaint with her as well.
1:16 p.m. Investigated report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Green Street.
10:26 p.m. Investigated disturbance reported on Shetland Road.
11:12 p.m. Assisted with disabled vehicle on Atlantic Avenue and Smith Street.
Sunday, Oct. 30
2:22 a.m. Well-being check conducted on Stratford Road.
12:46 p.m. Owner of a Washington Street antique shop reported that someone had taken a thunder pine, valued at $250, and its flower pot, valued at $60, from out front of the shop overnight. She just was looking to have the incident logged.
9:09 p.m. Officer investigated report of large bonfire on Washington Street.
Monday, Oct. 31
9:48 a.m. Fingerprint services rendered on Wallingford Road.
5:52 p.m. Assisted with response to vehicle accident on Lynn Shore Drive in Lynn.
7:58 p.m. Investigated report of suspicious activity on Humphrey Street.
8:29 p.m. Investigated report of suspicious activity on High Street.
8:45 p.m. Investigated general complaint on Atlantic Avenue.
10:46 p.m. Report taken after disturbance on Pleasant Street.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
9:36 a.m. Officer was dispatched to Pleasant Street to take the report of a past attempted break-in. Homeowner stated that when he had taken his dogs out this morning, he had noticed the striker plate on his front door was loose, and the door was not closing properly. He then noticed a gash located to the right of the doorknob that had not been there the day before. Man believed he knew who had tried to get in, though he had no proof, beyond the fact that the damage was new, and that he had been involved in a previous incident with the alleged perpetrator.
1:23 p.m. Officers investigated a hit-and-run in which a retaining wall on Beacon Street had been damaged. Officer observed multiple rocks along the side of the roadway, which appeared to have fallen from the retaining wall. He took photographs of the damage. He then returned to the station to speak with the witness via telephone. Witness told officer that she had seen a black truck with a trailer attempting to make a multi-point turn, and that the wall had been struck while the driver was backing up the trailer. She surmised that the driver may not have even noticed the damage, as he completed his turn and headed down Crowninshield Road without stopping. Officer located the driver at a construction site on Crowninshield Road, who apologized and stated that he indeed had not even noticed he had struck the wall. Officer told him a report of the incident would be emailed to his supervisor.
1:45 p.m. Report taken after vehicle crash on Lee Street.
4:47 p.m. Report taken after vehicle crash on Lafayette and Martin streets.
Wednesday, Nov. 2
7:33 a.m. Officer met a woman in the police station lobby, who explained that around 6:45 a.m., while she was having coffee on her front steps, she observed her neighbor strike her trash barrels with the front of his car and keep driving. Woman stated that she had a no-trespass order on the man and had tried to get a harassment prevention order in Lynn District Court but was denied. Officer recommended she apply again for a harassment prevention order.
11:15 a.m. Officers assisted with exchange of papers after minor vehicle accident on Atlantic Avenue.
12:30 p.m. Officer assisted at scene of minor vehicle crash on Humphrey Street.
2:38 p.m. Trucks blocking the road reported on Broughton Road.
Thursday, Nov. 3
6:27 a.m. Solicitors reported on Elm and Harris streets.
8 a.m. Officer was dispatched to Corinthian Lane on the report of a dispute involving an inn owner and one of her renters over nonpayment. Officer tried to explain to the woman several times that this was a civil matter and that her best course would be to consult an attorney. Woman asked that officer write a report so that she could send it to the renters in question.
8:52 a.m. Caller on Cleveland Road reported an email hacking incident.
12:21 p.m. Officer spoke with a West Street resident who called police to file a report about a package stolen from his porch, which contained contents from Italy valued at $700. Shipping company said that it had proof that the package had been dropped off at the residence. Officer asked the man if he was aware of any home security systems in the area, but he was not.
2:56 p.m. Officer investigated construction complaints on Smith and Pleasant streets.
7:54 p.m. A 24-year-old man was arrested on an out-of-town warrant on Cowell Street.
Friday, Nov. 4
7:05 a.m. Solicitors reported on Front Street.
2:43 p.m. Report filed after general complaint on Clifton Avenue.
3:50 p.m. Officer assisted with neighbor dispute on Front Street.
5:14 p.m. Officer investigated a report of bricks in the road on Village and Vine streets.
6:44 p.m. Lost wallet reported on Pleasant Street.
Saturday, Nov. 5
1:10 p.m. Person was transported to the hospital after a general complaint on Atlantic Avenue.
1:43 p.m. Officer took a report after hit-and-run on Franklin Street.
2:40 p.m. Harbor Avenue resident reported receiving annoying phone calls.
5:26 p.m. Bonfire reported on Phillips Street. Resident was later issued a burn permit.
9:26 p.m. Investigated report of suspicious activity on Mechanic Square.
10:46 p.m. Investigated report of a disturbance on Pleasant Street.
Sunday, Nov. 6
10:08 a.m. Vandalism reported on Turner Road.
11:01 a.m. Report taken after vehicle crash on Atlantic and Rockaway avenues.
12:20 p.m. Report taken after vehicle crash on Lafayette Street and Everett Paine Boulevard.
4:16 p.m. Officer was on “proactive patrol” on Ocean Avenue approaching the Pleasant Street intersection from Atlantic Avenue when he observed a vehicle already waiting at the lights signaling to turn right onto Pleasant Street. As he got closer to the intersection, the vehicle in front of his had already made a right on red onto Pleasant Street. The light then turned green, and as the officer was about to enter the intersection, he observed a gray hatchback fail to stop for the red light traveling outbound on Pleasant Street. After pulling the vehicle over, officer asked the driver if he knew why he was stopping him, and the driver acknowledged running the red light. Vehicle wound up being towed from the scene, though the tow company had been unable to remove the rear license plate. Employee stated that they would continue to work on removing the plate and deliver it to the police station in the morning.
9:03 p.m. Officer went to Elm Street to meet with a man who believed his medication may have been stolen from his medicine cabinet, as he had taken it the night before but now could not find it anywhere. Man was unaware of anyone who had been in his apartment since then.
Monday, Nov. 7
9:50 a.m. On Monday, November 7, 2022, I was assigned uptown in MP 67. At approximately 9:50 a.m. Officer spoke in police station lobby with woman who said she was being subjected to ongoing harassment by a neighbor over things such as leaves going into her yard. Woman said her neighbor makes unreasonable demands on not just her but other neighbors, such as asking them to move boats and playground equipment. Woman stated that the neighbor recently installed a burlap leaf barrier on what the woman believed to be town property. She asked for advice as to whether she could take it down or if there would be any repercussions for installing the barrier on town property. Officer advised the woman that, if she removed it, she could be liable for destruction of property. She was advised instead to report it to the relevant town department and let them make that call. Officer advised woman about the processes of obtaining a harassment prevention order or sending a no-trespass letter, if her neighbor was coming onto her property.
11:53 a.m. Report taken after disturbance on Village Street.
1:57 p.m. Assistance provided to Intrepid Circle resident.
3:20 p.m. Report filed after vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Beach Street.
3:29 p.m. Report filed after well-being check on Evans Road.
4:10 p.m. Officer went to Green Street and spoke to a woman who reported that she had been the victim of a possible scam, which involved her trying to download a streaming service and calling a support number she had found on the service’s website. The support person instructed her to buy a $50 gift card and to give them her debit card information. The woman gave them her credit card number and also bought the gift card. The alleged streaming service support person then instructed her to go to CVS to buy another gift card, but a cashier warned her that it could be a scam, so she did not buy the gift card. Officer advised her to contact her bank as soon as possible to cancel the card she had provided to the scammers and also put a fraud alert on her account. Woman said she would do so.
Tuesday, Nov. 8
5:50 a.m. Detail officers reported to the town’s polling stations.
1:36 p.m. Lack of needed detour signs reported on Tedesco and Humphrey streets.
1:50 p.m. Second shift of detail officers reported to the town’s polling stations.
7:17 p.m. Report taken after a well-being check on Davis Road.
