Police Log: Woman Reports Mid-Day Assault, Bobcat Stolen from Construction Site, Friends Move 'Stolen' Car

Editor's note: This article was updated on Tuesday, Oct. 25 after a case was dismissed.

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Man Punches Woman In Face After Attempting to Nab Pocketbook

Friday, April 15, 11:29 a.m. A 21-year-old woman told Melrose Police that she was walking near the area of Main and Grove Streets when a man ran up behind her and attempted to take her pocketbook. Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau said the woman held on to her pocketbook and she reported that the man "punched her in the face" before running eastbound up Grove Street. The woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Bobcat Stolen From Derby Road Construction Site

Monday, April 11, 12:49 a.m. GTA Construction reported to Melrose Police that sometime after April 8 that a 1999 Bobcat loader with a sweeper attachment had gone missing from their construction site on Derby Road. Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau said the construction vehicle, valued at approximately $40,000 with the attachment, is technically a motor vehicle and was entered into the state stolen vehicle database.

Man Grabs Kid Horsing Around, Gets Summonsed

Thursday, April 14, 9:29 p.m. A woman reported that earlier in the day, her 15-year-old son was with a group of other boys "horsing around" at Liberty Bell on Main Street and a water bottle was thrown, nearly striking a grown man. That man, DeCroteau said, chased after and then grabbed the 15-year-old by the shirt, according to the boy's mother, and told the boys "don't ever do that again" and left the area with his dog. There were no injuries reported.

The school resource officer spoke the next day with some of the other kids who were there and identified the 57-year-old man, who was issued a summons on the charge of assault and battery to set up the matter for a court hearing, DeCroteau said.

Stolen Car Report Turns Out To Be Some Caring Friends and a Good Deed

Sunday, April 17, 3:10 a.m. A woman who was visiting a friend on Ryder Avenue called her mother for a ride home because she had a couple of alcoholic drinks, but when she walked out of the home with her mother she noticed her car was missing and called the police. DeCroteau said the next morning, at approximately 11 a.m., they discovered that the woman's friends had moved her car without telling her, because they were concerned she would drive after drinking.

Other Incidents

Monday, April 11

9 a.m. Illegal dumping reported on First Street.

6:11 p.m. Caller from Lynn Fells Parkway reports past breaking and entering. Back door kicked open and five-gallon water jug with change in it stolen; detectives took photo of possible imprint of shoe on door and are investigating. 

6:12 p.m. Commuter rail train broken down at Wyoming Depot.

Tuesday, April 12

8:16 p.m. Caller from Stevens Place reports money missing from three bedrooms.

Wednesday, April 13

2:55 a.m. Young man walked in to station .

9:37 a.m. Report of vandalism, broken window on vehicle parked on Linden Road.

Thursday, April 14

1:41 p.m. Caller reports car fire at East Emerson Street at Lebanon Street.

1:47 p.m. SRO reports past larceny at high school.

4:25 p.m. Caller stated that her back window was smashed at Town Line Inn.

11:44 p.m. 911 call from Dunkin Donuts on Lynn Fells Parkway, cab driver has unruly passenger in cab. One transported to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Friday, April 15

1:24 p.m. Caller reports possible domestic on Lynde Street.

Sunday, April 17

3:11 p.m. Someone kicked in front door on Porter Street.

3:30 p.m. Report of fraud from Main Street.

Other Arrests and Summonses

A 20-year-old Melrose man was issued a summons on Tuesday, April 12 on charges of unlawfully attaching a license plate; allowing an unregistered vehicle to remain on a public way; and an uninsured vehicle.

A 41-year-old Stoneham man was issued a summons on Wednesday, April 13 on the charge of intimidating a witness.

Enrico Palladino, Jr., 28, 24 Lynde St., Melrose, was arrested on Wednesday, April 13 on charges of assault and battery and intimidating a witness.

A 28-year-old Melrose man was arrested on Friday, April 15 on the charge of assault. The case was dismissed in August 2011.

A 28-year-old Melrose woman was issued a summons on Saturday, April 16 on charges of disorderly conduct and assault and battery on a police officer.

A 36-year-old Melrose man and a 36-year-old Melrose woman were each issued a summons on Saturday, April 16 on the charge of domestic assault and battery.

A 22-year-old Lynn resident was issued a summons on Monday, April 18 on the charge of unlicensed operation of a vehicle.