Harvard police made two traffic stops last week, both of which resulted in verbal warnings. They helped one motorist who was locked out of a car, dealt with one parking violation, and responded to four false burglar alarms and two medical emergencies. Police issued or renewed one firearm license.
Tuesday, May 14
At 6:05 a.m. an officer saw that part of a tree had fallen across Stow Road, and she removed the hazard. A 911 caller at 4:19 p.m. complained that someone was driving a car erratically near Dunkin’ Donuts, but the driver was gone when police arrived.
Wednesday, May 15
At 10:20 a.m. a mail carrier called 911 to report a large bear near South Shaker Road, in an area where several people were also out walking.
Thursday, May 16
At 7:10 a.m. an officer stopped a car on Mass. Ave. for speeding in a school area. In addition to speeding, Philip L. Carson II, age 56, of Worcester was found to be driving an uninsured car with a revoked registration; he received a summons for all three violations; the car was towed. At 5:20 p.m. an Elm Street resident called to complain that a car had been parked in front of his house for several days; police spoke to the vehicle’s owner. A Peninsula Road resident called 911 at 8:36 p.m. to say a gas stove was on fire. Police and firefighters responded, and National Grid was called to check the house with a thermal imaging camera, but no fire was found.
Friday, May 17
An officer spoke with some people parked at the Prospect Hill overlook and told them to move along. At 6:05 p.m. a driver on his way to the Bromfield prom rolled his car over on Old Shirley Road. Police, firefighters, and the ambulance squad all responded, but the driver refused ambulance transport. The car had to be towed. The driver, preferring not to go to the prom in a cruiser, found another ride. At 7:40 p.m. an officer stopped a car for speeding on Route 2 eastbound and found that the driver, 59-year-old Charles I. Downes of Dover, New Hampshire, had a suspended license. Police gave him a summons on charges of unlicensed operation and speeding. While officers were dealing with Downes, a caller at 7:49 p.m. reported a tractor-trailer had knocked down a stop sign at the corner of Littleton Road and Fairbank Street. Police called Ayer for assistance, but Ayer police were unable to respond. The truck driver left before police arrived.
Saturday, May 18
At 12:06 p.m. an Old Mill Road resident called about a missing dog, but the animal was soon found. At 5:14 p.m. a caller notified Harvard police about a rollover on Route 2 westbound, with the driver possibly trapped in the wreck. The driver was extricated and taken to the hospital in Leominster by the Harvard ambulance squad. A caller informed police about a hazard on East Bare Hill Road, where a piano had fallen off the back of a truck. Police determined that it was not in a dangerous location and called the Department of Public Works.
Sunday, May 19
At 1:21 a.m. a caller told police about a car crash near the intersection of Oak Hill and Littleton County roads. The driver had locked the car and left. Police issued a summons to Joseph Russo, 37, of Old Littleton Road for a marked lane violation, driving an unregistered vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident in which there was property damage.
Monday, May 20
Nothing of significance to report.
The police log is written by a Harvard Press reporter based on information gleaned from daily police logs and interviews with police staff. Decisions to publish or withhold names of people arrested is based on our need to balance the privacy of individuals with our responsibility to report news of significance and public safety.
