Police Log Roundup: Storm, Syringes and Prom Haircuts

Macroburst Storm Keeps Police Busy On Sunday

Sunday's macroburst kept the Melrose Police Department busy. Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau said that police received "a plethora" of calls for trees and tree limbs down all over the city.

"Most of our units responded if there were any wires down, just to keep people away from that until the power company or Fire Department responded and any traffic issues that resulted," DeCroteau said. "No report of injures — just property damage and power service to houses."

Starting at 4:35 p.m. on Sunday with a report of a car hit by a tree — and police unable to send a cruiser due to numerous trees down with power lines — police responded to 23 storm-related calls within an hour and 15 minutes according to the police log, mainly downed trees and power lines, including a house fire on Natalie Avenue started by a bolt of lightning that struck the home.

Priorities, Priorities — Alleged Assault, Or Prom Haircut?

Tuesday, June 1, 5:46 p.m. Melrose Police received a 911 call transferred from the State Police from a caller who said he was "jumped" on South Mountain Avenue in Melrose, but is now at the barbershop to get a haircut for the prom. The caller refused to initiate police action because he was getting his hair cut and was "now OK," according to the police log. The caller was told to call the Melrose Police back or come to the station to initiate a complaint if he so wished.

Car Drops Bag of Syringes And Takes Off

Wednesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. A caller reported seeing a red vehicle driven by a woman with a ponytail drop a package on Mount Vernon Avenue and drive off. The two officers who responded found a clear plastic bag with what appeared to be syringes inside, DeCroteau said. The syringes were taken to the station for investigation and disposal. Police were unable to find out any license plate number for the vehicle.

Question Over ID Card Leads To Dispute Between Customers

Friday, June 4, 1:49 p.m. Police responded to a report of a disturbance at Garniss Market, 163 West Emerson St., that DeCroteau said began with the store clerk questioning the validity of an ID presented by customer attempting to buy cigarettes, resulting in an argument between two customers.

"During the that time, we received another call of the same type of situation, people attempting to buy tobacco products at the Mobil Station and they were denied as well due to an ID issue," he said.

The matter is under investigation and one of the Garniss Market customers was issued a summons for assault and battery, which DeCroteau said is advancing the issue to the court for a hearing on the matter. No Melrose Police charges are pending regarding an underage attempt to purchase tobacco products.

Why Did The Turkey Cross The Road?

Sunday, June 6, 10:55 a.m. Police received a report of a turkey in the roadway on Main Street blocking traffic. An officer reported the turkey left the area.