Newton Police Log: Tree Abuse, Hefty Handbag Theft, OUI Arrest

Tree Abuse

On May 22, Newton Police received a call to respond to Wellington Playground on Kilburn Road for what appeared to be malicious damage to a tree.

According to police reports, the officer arrived to find a limb of about 30 feet had been chopped from a city oak tree. In addition, the bark had been stripped from the trunk of the tree and an attempt to cut it down had been made.

Hefty Handbag Theft

Newton Police responded to T.J. Maxx on Needham Street after receiving reports of a larceny in progress.

According to police reports, two women attempted to exit the store with $2,000 worth of handbags. The store's security alarm went off when they attempted to leave -- one woman carrying one pocketbook and the other with five.

Store security detained the women who reacted by pushing and slapping the store security officer. They dropped the pocketbooks and fled the store, according to reports.

Children in the Car, Alcohol on Her Breath

Newton Police arrested Michelle Emily Thomas, 21, of 8025 Sunset Branch Ct., in Raleigh, N.C., on May 16, charging her with two counts of reckless endangerment of child, OUI - Liquor, and leaving the scene of property damage.

According to police reports, an officer was dispatched to the Tedeschi's at 612 Washington St. for a report of a motor vehicle accident. On arrival he found a minivan operator seated in the van with "a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on her breath and person."

The report also states that her eyes were glazed and "her head swayed back and forth, and her head bobbed downward every couple of minutes as if she were going to pass out."

Police say there were two children in her vehicle, ages 4 and 7, and that she sideswiped another vehicle, leading to the phone call to police.