In the past week, police made 10 motor vehicle stops, eight resulting in verbal warnings, one in a towed vehicle, and one in a summons. They also helped one driver in a disabled vehicle. Emergency responders received two medical calls, one for a lift assist and one in which a person was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Officers responded to three false burglar alarms and issued or renewed two firearm permits. Four brush fires were reported in the area—one in Harvard, one in Stow, and two in Lancaster.
Tuesday, March 3
At 8:31 a.m. an officer noticed that the traffic blinker in town center was not working and notified the Department of Public Works. At 9 a.m. a resident came to the police station to report that someone had stolen money from the resident’s bank account by cashing a very authentic-looking—but forged—check; the bank returned the resident’s money and is investigating the matter. At 6:40 p.m. a 911 caller reported being stuck in the Town Hall lift, but then canceled the call after successfully opening the lift door.
Wednesday, March. 4
At 12:56 p.m. a caller told police that a fallen tree was blocking Stow Road near the Route 495 overpass; the DPW removed the hazard.
Thursday, March 5
At 1:28 p.m. an officer stopped a car on Ayer Road because of an expired inspection sticker and found the driver, Tianna Maloney, 20, of Fitchburg, did not have a valid license. received a summons for operating a vehicle without a license or a current inspection sticker. The car was not towed because Maloney called a licensed driver to come help her. At 2:40 p.m. someone found a wallet near the intersection of Ayer and Old Mill roads and brought it to the station; the owner was notified and picked it up. At 7 p.m. a caller reported two cars parked after hours at the Holy Hill conservation area, but the cars were gone when police arrived. At 9:31 p.m. another sharp-eyed caller reported a dented car parked at the closed General Store. An officer spoke with the driver, who had pulled in to make a phone call, and determined that the dent was not new.
Friday, March 6
At 12:14 a.m. a driver passing through the center of town called police to say steam was pouring out of a town building; police say the situation was normal. At 1:47 p.m. a 911 call brought police, firefighters, and EMTs to a car crash on Still River Road. Police say the driver had apparently fallen asleep at the wheel, and the car spun around and off the road. The driver refused ambulance transport but was cited for a marked lane violation; the car was towed.
Saturday, March 7
Nothing of significance to report.
Sunday, March 8
At 6:49 a.m. a caller reported a one-car crash near the corner of Stow Road and Murray Lane. Firefighters and the ambulance squad also responded, and the latter took one person to the hospital; the car was towed. Two incidents of vandalism took place around midday. At 12:11 p.m. a Prospect Hill Road resident called to say her house and car had been “egged” and the paint on the car was damaged. At 1:17 p.m. a Depot Road resident also reported his car had been egged. At 1:33 p.m. someone on Bolton Road called, saying he had cornered a dog that had been wandering in the road. He asked police to come get the animal, but they refused, saying he should let it go on its way; they also notified the animal control officer. At 2:26 p.m. a person reported broken glass on the Bromfield School tennis courts; police referred the matter to the school and the DPW.
Monday, March 9
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 the names of people arrested will be based on our need to balance the privacy of individuals with our responsibility to report news of significance.
