Police Log: Teen Attempts to Drop Lit Cigarette into Cop’s Hand

Stolen Car Items

June 28- 8:34 a.m.- Police were called to the area of 39 Mayo Ave. for a report of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Richard Forbes spoke with the victim who led him to the vehicle in her driveway. She stated she had left the vehicle unlocked and that her purse and wallet had been in the car. The wallet was now stolen.

The woman also related that her husband had told her that he had coins stolen from his unlocked vehicle the same night. Neither person had noted any suspicious activity before these events.

Man Witnesses an Egging

June 3- 12:01 a.m.- Police were dispatched to Pickering St. to speak with a male party about a past egging incident. The reporting party said that he was looking out the window when he saw a black SUV drive slowly down the road. He then observed three youths exit the vehicle, egging the home at 84 Kingsbury St.

The reporting party stated that he began yelling at the youths to stop, but the youths drove off. Police notified the man that they would be searching the area for the black SUV.

Too Hot to Handle

July 4- 9:49 p.m.- While on patrol during the Fourth of July fireworks show at Memorial Park, Officer Thomas McNiff was approached by an adult male who had just been in an argument with several youths regarding them putting cigarettes out on the turf. Officer McNiff approached the teen that was said to be involved in the cigarette situation.

The teen, identified as 17-year-old Henry Schwartz of Needham, was talking with a group of other youths when McNiff approached. McNiff asked all of the youths to disperse from the area, but Schwartz began to argue about his rights to smoke. During this conversation McNiff noticed that Schwartz's eyes were "red and slightly dilated," according to reports. McNiff also noted that Schwartz spoke very rapidly and was likely under the influence of a substance.

After Schwartz would not answer any questions posed to him, Officer McNiff confronted him about dropping cigarettes on the field. Schwartz then said, "Here," and attempted to drop the lit cigarette into McNiff's hand. McNiff then escorted Schwartz to the side of the field, extinguished the cigarette and attempted to conduct a field sobriety test.

Schwartz refused to comply with the test and became "apprehensive and verbally aggressive." He then tried to pull away from police, but was apprehended and a bag of marijuana was found in his possession. Schwartz was charged with disorderly conduct and was cited for possessing under an ounce of marijuana.