OMG PD

Turtle, Absentee Juror Prompt Police Action

Additionally, one town gave us plenty of fodder for what could have been an entire unusual police news column.

If he had just gone to court the first time, this wouldn't have happened. A Fitchburg man found himself on the wrong side of the bar in Westborough District Court this week when he was arrested for failing to appear for jury duty. When police pulled him over for failing to stop/yield, they found that he was wanted for skipping out on jury duty. No doubt his trip to court as a defendant will be less pleasant—and more expensive—than if he had simply shown up for jury duty. Why did the turtle cross the road? In Shrewsbury, he crossed the road because if he had stayed in the middle of it, he would have continued to block traffic. Shrewsbury police recently were called to Grafton Street to remove the turtle from the road, as cars were backing …

• Photos (1)

Brush Fires, Vandalism, Among Week's 911 Calls

The following information was provided by the Grafton Police Department. All arrests are reported. Charges do not indicate a conviction.

Sunday, May 5 11:28 a.m.: Vandalism was reported on Merriam Road. 1:45 p.m.: A family disturbance was investigated on Upton Street. 7:48 p.m.: A suspicious person was reported on Messier Street. Monday, May 6 7:22 a.m.: Illegal dumping on Milford Road was referred to another agency. Tuesday, May 7 4:17 p.m.: A brush fire was reported on Old Upton Road. 4:59 p.m.: A past breaking and entering was investigated on Nottingham Road. 6:06 p.m.: A brush fire was reported on Waterville Street. Wednesday, May 8 3 p.m.: Larceny/theft was investigated on Pleasant Street. Thursday, May 9 1:42 p.m.: A crash with injury was reported on the Mass Pike. 6:26 p.m.: A crash with personal injury was reported at Worcester Street and Wheeler Road. Friday, May …

• Photos (1)

Have You Seen This Alleged Bank Robber?

Anyone with information is asked to call Shrewsbury Police.

Have you seen this person? Each week, Patch features a different outstanding criminal case from a local police department. All information is courtesy of MassMostWanted.com. Theft - Case No.  080531 Aug. 29, 2008 Citizens Bank in Shrewsbury. Case Details: Shrewsbury Police tell Mass Most Wanted that at 1:57 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2008, a roughly 45 to 50-year-old man entered the Citizens Bank on Route 9 in Shrewsbury and "passed (a) note making his demands." "The Suspect was wearing a light colored bicycle helmet, possibly silver on top, dark sunglasses, tan bandage on nose, fake mustache, red Nike t-shirt, black spandex shorts and a black messenger bag," Shrewsbury Police said. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Shrewsbury…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Michael Gelbwasser

10:51 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I've deleted a comment that was a personal attack.   more ›

OMG PD

Annoying Singer, Mysterious Opening Door Prompt 911 Calls

Also in unusual police news, a man was weaving in and out of traffic (on a bike).

The case of the annoying singer/honker. A woman kept Holliston dispatchers busy last week, when she was the subject of not one, not two, not three, but at least four 911 calls in two days. Apparently, she was harassing the caller, first by blocking her from passing on the street. (She had called earlier about advice on a court action.) Then, she was singing God Bless America loudly and honking his horn. The final call was from a neighbor, who was also perturbed by the loud singing and honking. Can you get pulled over for drunken-bicycle-driving?  A person called 911 in Milford on Tuesday afternoon reporting that an intoxicated man was on a bicycle, and weaving in and out of traffic. (Or, he was just a man learning how to ride a bicycle.)  …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Danielle Horn

9:53 am on Saturday, May 11, 2013

Hi, Cheryl: I just made the correction.   more ›

Chief's Blotter

Chief: Beware the 'Jury Scam'

Grafton's police chief says there have been incidences of this scam in recent months.

I recently received some information regarding a con referred to as the “Jury Scam.” Please review the warning below and pass it on to your friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure they don’t fall prey to this scam.  The information may be found on the FBI website at www.fbi.gov and the United States Federal Court website at www.uscourts.gov. The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for your arrest.  You say you never received a notice.  To clear it up, the caller says he'll need some information for "verification purposes" - your birth date, social security number, or maybe even a credit card number.  This …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Week's Arrests Include 3rd Time Drunken-Driving Offense

The following information was provided by the Grafton Police Department. All arrests are reported. Charges do not indicate a conviction.

Sunday, April 28 12:24 a.m.: Domestic violence was reported on Institute Road. 1:45 p.m.: A brush fire was reported on Saddle Hill Circle. Monday, April 29 1:21 a.m.: A family disturbance was reported on Belmont Street; a person was taken into protective custody. 11:04 a.m.: The Fire Department responded to a brush fire on Worcester Street. 11:55 a.m.: The Fire Department responded to a brush fire on Old Upton Road. 11:59 a.m.: Breaking and entering into a vehicle was reported on Greenlawn Avenue. 12:03 p.m.: A brush fire was reported on Browns Road. 2:48 p.m.: Breaking and entering into a vehicle was reported on Main Street. 5:29 p.m.: The Fire Department responded to a brush fire on Ray Street. Tuesday, April 30 8:14 a.m.: A rollover …

• Photos (1)

Worcester Roman Catholic Bishop Arrested for Drunk Driving

Bishop Robert McManus was arrested on Saturday evening.

Following a hit and run in Narragansett, RI, on Saturday night, Worcester Roman Catholic Bishop Robert McManus was arrested for drunk driving, reported CBS Boston.  CBS Boston also ran a statement from McManus, which was released on Monday morning, in which he wrote, "There is no excuse for the mistake I made, only a commitment to make amends and accept the consequences of my action. More importantly, I ask forgiveness from the good people whom I serve, as well as my family and friends, in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Providence." McManus was arrested while at his vacation home shortly after the hit and run. He will be arraigned on Tuesday. 

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Have You Seen This Alleged Flim Flam Man?

Anyone with information is asked to call Grafton Police.

Have you seen this person? Each week, Patch features a different outstanding criminal case from a local police department. All information is courtesy of MassMostWanted.com. Theft - Case No.  100045 Aug. 28, 2009 Stop & Shop in Grafton. Case Details: Grafton Police tell Mass Most Wanted they want to identify this man regarding a "flip flam larceny with exchange of money" at Stop & Shop in Grafton on Aug. 28, 2009. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Grafton Police at 508-893-5343.  

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

OMG PD

Flashing Motorcyclist and Flashing Lights Prompt 911 Calls

In other quirky police news, a raccoon avoided capture.

Look out for bikers (who may be accidentally flashing you). Just as drinking and driving don't mix, neither do dresses and motorcycle driving. A woman on Monday afternoon told a Wendy's employee in Milford that a woman wearing a "pink flowered dress" had flashed her. An officer reported it didn't sound like an indecent exposure incident, but rather, a biker who didn't cover herself up enough. Mutual aid was not required for this "fire."  Officials have warned about the high threat of brush fires this week, and at least one area resident was particularly vigilant and on the lookout for anything that might need to be reported. In the wee small hours of the morning Wednesday, a Holliston resident called in what was believed to be a fire. …

• Photos (1)