The following is based on selected Arlington Police Department logs from May 20 through May 25. Excerpts from the Arlington Police Department log:
Wednesday, May 20
2:58 a.m. Stolen Vehicle. A stolen motor vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle crash at Decatur Street and Arizona Terrace. The stolen vehicle was a Nissan SUV that had sustained heavy front-end damage from crashing into a pole. When officers arrived on scene, the passenger side door was open and unoccupied. After looking up the plate number, the Arlington Police Department discovered the vehicle was reported stolen out of Medford and had failed a stop by the Burlington and Lexington police that evening. A witness passing by informed officers that they saw a man wearing all black and a ski mask exit the vehicle and run through the Arizona Terrace parking lot toward the greenway. Officers followed on foot in that direction to search for the suspect. State Police were also called to the scene with their canine unit. At this time, an officer noticed a blue Ford Explorer traveling at a low speed on Sunnyside Avenue. He was unable to initiate a car stop since he was on foot. The vehicle appeared again at the intersection of Arizona Terrace and Decatur occupied by two men in dark ski masks. Cruises were parked all along the intersection, making it impossible for them to continue down Arizona Terrace. The operator failed to listen to commands and continued to drive through the greenway and exit. He accelerated toward Cambridge. The suspect fled the backyard of a Sunnyside Avenue address and exited through the front gate. Medford Police Department was notified of the stolen motor vehicle that was in Arlington. The vehicle owner was notified by Medford Police.
Thursday, May 21
8:04 a.m. Bicycle Crash. An operator of a motor vehicle told officers she was stopped in traffic, heading north on Lake Street, when a bicycle passed her vehicle. She stated that while passing her, he struck her passenger side mirror and ripped it off the car. After speaking with the bicyclist, officers learned he was a foreign exchange student in the company of his sponsor, who was translating for him. The translator stated the student was traveling north on Lake Street when he attempted to pass a vehicle, but then struck the side mirror. He suffered a small laceration on his left arm that was treated by Arlington Fire Department, but the driver of the car was not injured. All parties exchanged necessary insurance information before leaving the scene.
Friday, May 22
2:47 p.m. Wildlife Exposure. Animal Control Officers responded to a request from a reporting party who had caught a live bat in his home the night prior. Officers met the reporting party outside his residence with a large bowl taped shut with the bat inside of it. In case of possible rabies exposure to the party and his two cats, they were transported to Mill Brook Animal Clinic. Officers then dropped off the package with the bat inside to custody of the health department.
4:34 p.m. Accident. A vehicle owner who lived on Drake Road stated her 2022 White BMW was parked slightly on the curb to assist her husband. When they got to the car she noticed major front-end damage. She believes the accident must have occurred around 4 p.m. since the car was unoccupied at the time. She did not witness or hear the accident take place. When officers asked nearby residents if they had witnessed the accident, one resident stated she had a mattress delivery earlier that day and saw the truck back up and strike the BMW. The box truck quickly drove off after that. Officers contacted the truck’s company in Burlington and spoke to a representative. The company called the Arlington Police Department back and stated they would reach out once they identified the truck driver at the time. The matter is still under investigation.
Sunday, May 24
3:43 p.m. Vandalized Property. An apartment owner on Massachusetts Avenue reported to Arlington officers that someone had damaged the outside of her deadbolt, jamming something into the key slot. The reporting party believes the incident was an act of retaliation in relation to an argument last week that involved another individual. A neighbor passing by stated that the female party, whom he believes is involved in the argument, lives on the second floor and described her as a 35-year-old white female, heavyset with a round face and brown/red hair. Officers advised the reporting party to not confront the female and to call Arlington Police if there’s any further altercations.
11:46 p.m. Crash. Officers arrived at the scene on Grove Street in response to a report of a single-vehicle crash with air bag deployment. They observed a Black Lexus that was heading westbound towards the intersection of Summer Street and Grove Street. The operator stated he was traveling westbound on Summer Street towards the intersection when he noticed a bicyclist on the road. In an attempt to pass the bicyclist, he didn’t see the island in the middle of the road, which caused him to drive up onto it. His airbag hit him in the face, but no serious injuries were sustained. The passenger had a similar statement to the operator after speaking with officers. The operator was asked if he had been drinking, to which he answered yes. He took four field sobriety tests and submitted a portable breath test, which came back negative. He received a marked-lane violation and was free to go after that, but the vehicle was towed.
Monday, May 25
11:21 a.m. Breaking and Entering. A reporting party had informed officers that multiple vehicles in the neighborhood had been broken into on Hillside Avenue. After speaking with neighborhood victims, officers assisted with the investigation and discovered luggage, a wallet, jewelry, cash, credit cards and more were taken from multiple vehicles. On top of that, multiple vehicle compartments were left open. Officers located a pile of discarded clothing and bags in front of another Hillside residence. One of the parties discovered some of their items from the pile. Officers were able to determine that three other vehicles were broken into that night. They used ring camera footage to determine the break-ins occurred between 4:49 a.m. and 5:49 a.m. after observing a vehicle on camera parked in front of one of the residences.
This installment of the police log, published on May 29, 2026, is based on information from Arlington Police Department daily logs.
