Resident Happy with Needham PD Work in Boyle Situation

When 22-year-old John Boyle led police on a chase through town Thursday, most residents of Needham were fortunate enough to be removed from the situation. Others were caught in the middle.

Alan Weiner of Great Plain Avenue relates that he received a phone call that day from his sister, Cheryl Lekousi, saying that her daycare center had been locked down as police searched for Boyle.

"I live down the street and I came right over (to Tiny Hearts daycare)," Weiner recounted. "I saw several cop cars blocking off the street and I saw officers walking around."

Weiner introduced himself to one of the officers, explained his situation and was allowed into the center to be with his sister. As he entered the house, canines circled the area and a helicopter flew above as the manhunt continued.

Unbeknownst to Weiner at the time, his 15-year-old son, Dan, was hanging out with a friend next door. He two teens were reportedly playing with foam toys that, while harmless, resembled weapons from a distance. When it was believed that Boyle might have been in the Tiny Hearts neighborhood, officials approached Dan.

"The cops noticed us and shouted for us to get down," Dan said. "My mind felt totally safe, but my body was a little scared."

Dan related that unidentified police officers approached and quickly realized that neither he nor his friend were the suspect they were looking for. Both teenagers were asked to get to a safe location indoors and to lock the windows. As he and his friend left, Dan noticed that the officers were armed with tasers, should they come across their man.

"They were so close that I could see the electric current bouncing from pole to pole," he said of the taser guns.

Meanwhile, Alan Weiner had been speaking with a few different officers and learning more about the man they sought. Weiner notes that the officers involved were very respectful during the situation and friendly with him, making sure that residents in the area were as safe as possible.

"The police were very cordial. Obviously, they have things blocked off while looking for somebody, but there was no animosity, no storm trooper attitude. They had a very neighborhood type attitude," said Weiner. "They handled it very well."

Perimeters were established by Needham and Wellesley Police Departments and Boyle was captured within a matter of hours. He now awaits arraignment in Wrentham District Court.

Weiner states that several items, including Thursday's events and the recent case of a man with Alzheimer's being located by authorities, have bolstered his confidence in the Needham Police Dept. and the work that they do.

"I grew up in Needham," Weiner said. "It seems like the police really handled the situations, even with Dan, very well. I'm glad that everything worked out."