Every day, police officers respond to reports of all sorts of events and nonevents, most of which never make the news. Here is a sampling of lesser-known — but no less noteworthy — incidents from police log books (a.k.a. blotters) in our suburbs.
FEELING THE BURN
Here’s yet another reason not to smoke. At 1:55 p.m. March 31, Belmont police responded to a report that a car had crashed into a tree. Indeed, one had, and for an usual reason: The driver told officers he had dropped a lighted cigarette in his lap, and as he scrambled to retrieve it, he lost sight of where he was going and crashed the car. The good news? He escaped unhurt.
AN ASPIRING HOUDINI?
Another unusual situation unfolded April 3 in Danvers, when police were sent to a motel on Route 1 to help someone locked in handcuffs. The cuffed one proved to be a 10-year-old child, who was soon freed by officers with a handcuff key. And here’s a tidbit: Such keys “are universal,’’ said Sergeant Olivia Silva, “so any of ours would have gotten them off.’’ Just how the child came to be playing with a pair of real handcuffs is unclear, but hopefully a lesson was learned.
A NOT-SO-INNOCENT MISUNDERSTANDING?
At 2:12 p.m. April 12, a man called Winthrop police and recounted an unpleasant exchange he’d had while driving near the Governors Park condominium complex. When he turned onto Revere Street from Shirley Street, he saw two young women, one of whom waved him down. Thinking they might need help, he told police, he pulled over, but as soon as he did, one of the two hopped in and announced, “You have to pay me now.’’ Confused, the man asked her meaning. “I came down here,’’ she said. “You have to pay.’’ At that point, he ordered her out of the car and drove off. Detectives checked the area but found no individuals matching the pair’s description.
NO LAUGHING MATTER
On April 24, Bridgewater police got a call from a woman at Olde Scotland Links reporting that a golf ball had struck the rear window of her vehicle, and as she was assessing the damage, she noticed several golfers laughing at her. Police advised her to follow up with her insurance company.
HE DESERVES A BREAK TODAY
If you lock your keys in your car, you have several options to consider. You can call for roadside assistance or dial 911. Or you can take the matter into your own hands, like one guy apparently did on April 20. At 5:17 a.m. that day, Melrose police were told a man was causing a disturbance at the corner of Grove Street and Cumner Avenue. Responding officers soon found the source: A man had locked his keys in his car and had broken a window to get at them.
THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S KICKS
Neighbors are supposed to help one another, not steal. On April 21, a resident of a condominium in Peabody reported that a pair of sneakers delivered to him by United Parcel Service had been stolen by another tenant. There was substance to the complaint: According to the police log entry, a video captured the larceny. Police subsequently summonsed a 51-year-old man who lives in the building to court on a charge of larceny under $250.
A CASE OF THE MUNCHIES
Eating noodles with chopsticks can be tricky, no? But is the sight odd enough to attract the attention of police? At 10:18 p.m. on April 27, a caller told Norton police that two occupants of a vehicle in a parking lot were “snorting something.’’ Well, not exactly, responding officers learned: The duo were just scarfing down Chinese food.
THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT . . .
And finally, police in Natick are looking for the public’s help in identifying a man who stole quite a few designer-brand sunglasses from a store in town April 7. A surveillance video posted on the department’s Facebook page shows him in action. Talk about expensive taste: According to police, the shoplifter took off with one pair of Gucci sunglasses and eight pairs of Versace shades, with a combined value of $2,325. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact detectives at 508-647-9520.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney.
