Published in the July 19, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — A Forest Street couple are out $5,000 after falling victim to a popular scam involving the purchase of gift cards.
Yesterday around 9:50 a.m. police were told that the victim was called by a man who said he was a grandson, that he had been arrested and needed money to post bond to get out of jail. The victim was instructed to go to Home Depot, purchase five $1,000 gift cards, and provide the serial numbers that appear on the back of the cards. Not long after that was done, the victim learned his grandson was fine and that he and his wife had been scammed.
The police investigation continues.
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A parrot was found on the side of Melvin Street yesterday sometime before 7:53 a.m. The bird was taken to the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital and the Animal Control officer was notified.
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Some sort of sanding set off fire alarms at the Northeast Regional Metropolitan Vocational School around 8:45 yesterday morning.
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A 44-year-old Wakefield man was taken into protective custody just before 11 yesterday morning near the Beebe Memorial Library.
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At 11:46 a.m. yesterday a black “fluffy” dog — possibly an Akita — was seen wandering around on the railroad tracks at North Avenue and Prospect Street. Authorities were unable to locate the dog.
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An abandoned motor vehicle was reported on Route 128 south near the Montrose exit just after noon yesterday.
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Police were told of a deceased animal in a stream alongside Salem Street near the Lynnfield line around 12:40 p.m. yesterday. The animal turned out to be a deer.
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Someone on North Avenue reported unauthorized charges on their debit card account around 1 yesterday afternoon. According to police $738 in on-line purchase had been made and the goods shipped to Illinois.
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Someone in distress on Broadway was taken to MelroseWakefield Hospital yesterday around 1:20 in the afternoon.
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Police are checking surveillance footage after a fake $100 bill was passed at Honey Dew Donuts at the head of Lake Quannapowitt sometime before 1:37 p.m. yesterday.
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Police were told of a hit-and-run accident yesterday around 2:10 p.m. involving a 2017 Ford Escape and a 2012 Mercedes C-Class.
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At 2:33 p.m. yesterday a caller told police that a woman came to her Water Street door and asked for a ride. When the woman was told no, she asked to stay at the home. Police located that woman and gave her a ride to Stoneham.
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Someone in distress in the 600 block of Main Street was assisted by first responders around 2:50 p.m. yesterday.
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A patrolman was flagged down by an Uber driver “with a difficult passenger “around 5:30 yesterday afternoon. That passenger arranged another means of travel.
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Pedestrians were reportedly being harassed by others in the 300 block of Main Street around 7 last night. Police said they spoke to those involved.
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Someone who was said to be dumping liquid near Crystal Lake at the intersection of of Meriam Street and Linden Avenue around 7:10 p.m. yesterday was gone when police arrived.
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Someone in distress on Preston Street was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital around 10 last night.
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A woman was sleeping on a bench at the Main and Water streets intersection last night around 11:10.
