Crime & Safety
Former Newton Firefighter Charged With Retail Scheme: Report
John Sheehan is accused of embarking on a return scam in area hardware stores.
NEWTON, MA – A Newton man has been charged in a retail return scam at hardware stores in Dedham, Framingham and Woburn.
According to a MetroWest Daily News report, John Sheehan, 31, a former firefighter, allegedly collected thousands of dollars in false returns. He was been charged with three counts of larceny of more than $250 by false pretense.
Police began investigating Sheehan in June after security at a hardware store in Framingham alerted them that video showed a man walking into the shop, putting tools in his cart and returning them using a receipt from a previous purchase, according to a police report cited by the Daily News.
Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Sheehan was identified as the suspect; he is suspected of conducting the same scam at stores in Dedham and Woburn, netting $2,500 in returns, the Daily News reported.
Sheehan was released following his arraignment Wednesday but ordered to stay away from the Lowe's branches in Framingham, Dedham and Woburn.
Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
>>>Read the full report from the MetroWest Daily News
Image via Shutterstock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
