A COMPANY of about 40 NEMLEC officers arrived in Wakefield last night to assist in the search of a missing woman. Also responding to the call were three State Police K-9s and five NEMLEC K-9s. The woman was located this morning, safe and healthy, police said. (Gail Lowe Photo)
WAKEFIELD — Early this morning, a stretch of roadway in front of the First Parish Congregational Church on Church Street to Main Street was closed to traffic while Wakefield police, State Police and about 40 officers from the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) wrapped up their search for a West Side woman who was reported missing last night.
The woman was found safe at the home of a friend this morning, police said.
Police launched a search as soon as the 63-year-old woman was reported missing just after 10 p.m. Thursday. A caller said that the woman had gone to a store to buy a newspaper but failed to return home. She reportedly had a medical condition and may have become disoriented, the caller said.
The NEMLEC officers, along with three K-9s from the State Police and five others from NEMLEC, were dispatched to the area surrounding North Avenue and Lake Quannapowitt. The dogs and their police handlers were out all night in 10 degree weather searching for the woman, said Wakefield Police Lt. Scott Reboulet.
Officers also came with mountain bikes and ATVs to search wooded areas near Lake Quannapowitt.
“Because we’re able to tap into the resources of NEMLEC and the State Police, we can immediately expand our manpower and equipment in situations like this,” said Reboulet. “We’re fortunate to have such dedicated officers here and in other departments who will come out to assist at a moment’s notice — regardless of the time or weather conditions.
“Thanks to everyone who helped get the word out on the missing woman from Wakefield,” he continued. “After a Code Red automated message was sent to all residents, we received a call from a resident where the woman was. Officers were able to confirm that she was healthy and not in any danger.”
Locally, NEMLEC includes officers from Wakefield, Reading, Lynnfield, Stoneham, Woburn, North Reading and Melrose. Officers also came from as far away as Gloucester and Tyngsboro.
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In other police business on Thursday:
• A caller reported a collision on Lawrence Street. Police responded and noted minor damage to a vehicle. Papers were exchanged.
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On Wednesday:
• Police went to the scene of an accident on Lowell Street near Rte. 128 at Exit 40 just before noon. State Police handled the details.
• Wires were reported down on Morgan Avenue at about 12:45 p.m. The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department was notified.
• Students at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School on Hemlock Road reported that money had been stolen from the cosmetology shop and a cell phone from the girls’ locker room. Details were not available.
• A two-car accident took place at the intersection of Richardson Avenue and Foster Street at about 3 p.m. One car was towed.
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On Wednesday, the Fire Department responded to nine calls, five for medical aid.
A crew went to 63 Overlook Rd. at 12:30 p.m. following a call about smoke in the area. Nothing was found.
Firefighters also were called to 17 Crescent St. at 3 p.m. for an odor of smoke, but nothing was found. At 3:15 p.m., a crew went to 12 Myrtle St. for a carbon monoxide detector malfunction and at 4:30 p.m. firefighters went to 41 Church St. following a report about arcing wires at the Hartshorne House. Crew members discovered that a light on the house was flickering and that there were no arcing wires.
