6:39 p.m. – Pedestrian accident. A bicyclist on the Minuteman Bikeway struck and injured a pedestrian while trying to pass on the left, reportedly knocking her to the pavement, where she hit her head and bled from her left ear. The pedestrian, a 58-year-old Arlington woman, told officers she “hadn’t been paying attention” and may have strayed a bit into the bike’s path. The cyclist, a 32-year-old woman visiting from New York state, was unsure whether she had given adequate warning when attempting to pass. In the absence of clear fault, officers issued no citations or warnings. The injured woman was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
3:44 p.m. – Identity Fraud. A 44-year-old Gloucester Street resident visited APD to report having received notice that an unknown party had opened a “money card” account in his name. The man said he’d been able to have the card invalidated and restart his own account after a temporary shutdown. Some time later, he said, an apparently different party used his personal information to set up a bank account and file for Massachusetts unemployment benefits, adding that the second scammer succeeded in getting $1,600 from the state and transferring it to a separate account in Southern California. The victim told officers he had no idea how his personal information had been harvested. Capt. Flynn commented that the man should probably take a close look at his business practices.
Thursday, Sept. 12
5:26 p.m. – Neighbor Problem. A Quincy Street apartment dweller visited APD to report being driven to distraction by her upstairs neighbor, who’d been playing loud music, stomping on the floor and slamming a screen door while taking out six bags of trash one at a time. She also told officers she’d had no luck whatsoever trying landlord mediation and mentioned she couldn’t retaliate, because the neighbor had taken out a harassment-prevention order against her. Officers offered the suggestion that she take out a harassment-prevention order of her own against the neighbor.
7:59 p.m. – Disturbance, Threats. Two male employees triggered a police visit to the East Arlington CVS after a customer allegedly screamed insults and curses, demanding that one of them leave on the spot to fight him in the street. The aggressor – yelling, “I want to fight you! I want to beat you up!” – was described as a white male wearing a dark baseball cap and gray sweats who’d pulled up to the store on a black scooter with red wheels, accompanied by a woman with long brown hair. The targeted employee, a 33-year-old Arlington man, said he’d crossed paths with the suspect once before in a different location, where the man, for no known reason, had taken sudden dislike to him, snarled insults and made angry faces while assuming a fighting stance. Following the interview, the officers issued an APB and conducted a search of the area, but without luck. The suspect’s description has been added to a watch list.
Friday, Sept. 13
11:26 a.m. – Pedestrian Injury. A passerby on the bikeway near Mill Street called 911 after coming upon an elderly woman lying in pain by the side of the path. Police and fire personnel arrived and attended to the woman, a Mandarin-speaking Arlington resident with minimal English. Officers were able to determine that she had fallen, but not the cause of the fall. EMTs determined that she had a wrist injury and ordered her to be taken to a local hospital.
10:34 p.m. – Credit Card Fraud under $1,200. A 23-year-old Arlington man called APD to report that he’d dropped his wallet outside his Mass. Ave. apartment building and that it had apparently been found by someone who proceeded to make multiple charges at liquor stores. An Apple AirTag in the wallet initially showed activity in Boston, but lost the trail as the thief made purchases in three suburban towns, including Lexington. The victim succeeded in freezing and canceling the card. Police planned to examine security footage at the liquor stores for clues.
Saturday, Sept. 14
11:02 a.m. – Larceny under $1,200. An 81-year-old Mystic Street resident contacted APD to report that the front and rear plates on her 2018 Cadillac SUV were missing and apparently stolen. The woman was unsure when she had last used the car, but thought it had been within the previous 24 hours. Officers have entered a stolen-plate report with the National Crime Information Center. Capt. Flynn commented that car thieves sometimes swipe plates matching the vehicles they’re intending to steal.
2:27 p.m. – Bicycle Theft. A male resident of Mass. Ave. near Arlington Center visited APD to report the theft of his blue Trek mountain bike worth $700. He said he had been pressed for time and left the two-wheeler unlocked on his front porch, which he said he doesn’t usually do. Police found no security video in the vicinity of the theft, but proximity to the main fire department station may yield helpful footage. Capt. Flynn reiterated that it’s never safe in Arlington to leave a bicycle unlocked or parked at a residence within view of the street. “Bike owners should discipline themselves always to follow good bike security practices,” he said.
Sept. 3-9: Lexington woman dies after van hits pole; mail thieves hit Court St. boxes again
This news column by YourArlington volunteer writer Chris Wilbur was published Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, based on information from Arlington Police Department daily logs and explanations from APD spokesman Capt. Richard Flynn.
