Dedham Library Hazmat After White Substance Found; 1 Arrested

DEDHAM, MA — A Westwood woman who police said sparked a Hazmat incident by leaving what are believed to be narcotics at Dedham Public Library Tuesday afternoon was arrested after fleeing the building.

Police Chief Michael d’Entremont and Fire Chief William Spillane said in a joint statement library staff went to check on a woman, who was in the restroom for a long time. When they checked, she ran away, leaving a white powdery substance believed to be narcotics behind.

Police responded around 3:15 p.m. and a Tier One Hazmat response was declared out of an abundance of caution.

The woman was pulled over shortly after near the police station, according to officials, who said there was more white powder in the car and on her. That powder tested positive for Fentanyl.

The woman, 28, who police are not identifying, will be face charges of possession of a class A substance, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and providing a false name to law enforcement. She will be arraigned at Dedham District Court.

The powder at the library tested negative for Fentanyl.

No one was injured during the incident.