Police Log: Possible Counterfeit Bills Passed at Melrose Shell, Rowdy Amtrak Passengers, Missing Children Found

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Possible Counterfeit $20 Bill Passed at Melrose Shell

Responding to a report of a panic alarm by the security alarm company employed by the Melrose Shell gas station, Melrose Police found themselves instead faced with a possible counterfeit situation.

According to Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau, a Shell employee activated the alarm after a male party entered the store and attempted to pay for cigarettes with what the clerk suspected was a counterfeit $20 bill.

"The clerk took the $20 bill from the person and immediately found that the texture of it was suspect. The clerk held it to the light and questioned the person," DeCroteau said. "The person then took it back and provided what appeared to be a genuine $10 bill."

By the time the police arrived, the customer had left the store. However, the Shell clerk was able to provide officers with the customer's license plate number and a description of the customer's car. The detective bureau is now investigating.

Melrose Police Called in to Assist with Unruly Amtrak Passengers

On Friday, April 24 at 12:54 p.m., Melrose Police were called in to assist with two "difficult" passengers riding an Amtrak train.

The train's conductor made the call for assistance, which was relayed to the Melrose station. Officers were then dispatched to meet the train at the Melrose Highlands depot.

The conductor told the officers who arrived on the scene that two male passengers were "being difficult." According to Lt. DeCroteau, the parties then left voluntarily.

Melrose Youths Reported Missing, All Found 

On Saturday, April 30, the mother of an 18-year-old Ashland Street resident called police to report her daughter as missing. After investigating, police obtained information that indicated the teenager might have headed to Saugus or Lynn. Further investigation on Sunday, May 1, revealed that the woman had been staying at a friend's house.

Earlier in the week, two children were also reported missing. On Monday, April 24, at 2:40 p.m., a child was reported missing from Horace Mann School, but was located soon after. The following day, a six-year-old girl was also reported missing. The girl was then found at a local park with a friend.

Other Incidents

Monday, April 25

9:18 a.m. Walton Park resident reports that she received a phone call asking for information about her bank account.

2:40 p.m. Call made from Horace Mann School reporting a missing child. The child is later found.

Tuesday, April 26

10:34 a.m. Caller alerts police that possessions are being removed from house on Goodyear Ave. Individual questioned turned out to be working for a preservation company.

8:37p.m. Complaint made that a group of youths wearing "Scream" masks are chasing a male in the area around Caruso Pizza. Area cleared.

Wednesday, April 27

5:01 p.m. Pearl Street residents calls in report of telephone fraud.

5:36 p.m. Caller reports that a group of youths has removed a picnic table from the MDC pool on Tremont Street and has brought it to the nearby skate park. Table is later returned.

Thursday, April 28

8:17 p.m. Nurse working at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital requests assistance in removing an unwanted male from the property. Man then left hospital. 

Friday, April 29

9:23 p.m. Caller reports that woman is on the ground in front of Johnnie's Foodmaster. Woman is found to be intoxicated and is brought to hospital.

Saturday, April 30

5:30 p.m. Caller from Walgreens reports that an individual tried to fill false prescriptions.

9:53 p.m. Large group of teenagers dodging cars at intersection of Porter and School streets. Group told to move along.

Sunday, May 1

6:38 p.m. Caller reports that there is a hypodermic needle on the ground in front of 520 Franklin Street. Needle removed.

Other Arrests and Summonses

Colleen Worthen, 48, 25 West Wyoming, Apt. 5, Melrose, was arrested on Wednesday, April 27, on charges of shoplifting at the Melrose Army and Navy Store.

A 33-year-old Melrose man was issued a summons on Wednesday, April 27, on the charge of violating a harassment prevention order.

A 45-year-old Melrose man was arrested on a warrant on Thursday, April 28.

Conor Emmitt Lucey, 26, 515 Pleasant St, Apt. 2-1, Melrose, was arrested on Saturday, April 30, on charges of OUI drugs, speeding, improper operation of a motor vehicle, license not in possession and resisting arrest.

Eric Chiu-Lin, 43, 251 North Ave, Weston, was arrested on Monday, May 2, on charges of OUI liquor, marked lanes violation and failure to stop/yield.