Athol Police Log

Tuesday, Aug. 29

9:38 a.m. – Main and Freedom streets traffic stop resulted in a criminal summons issued for operating with a suspended license, illegally attaching plates and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.

11:18 a.m. – Patrol officer in the Main Street area reported an oil spill hazard eastbound from Larry’s to CVS. Highway Department contacted and will be en route to put sand on it.

7:15 p.m. – Main Street store owner requested police assistance with larceny incident which resulted in the arrest of Cheryl Ann Gravel, 57, of Main Street on charges of trespass, larceny from building, and breaking and entering with the intent to commit felony.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

11:15 a.m. – Hapgood Street and South Athol Road area, suspicious person reported. Subject was located on railroad property, sent on their way and advised not to return.

Thursday, Aug. 31

8:25 a.m. – Main Street caller reported someone had stolen his china cabinet and tools that were in his front yard for sale.

9:58 a.m. – Main Street area caller reported observing an erratic motorcyclist. Black bike with no plates driven by a male party wearing a brown vest and skull helmet. Reporting party stated operator was tormenting cars and doing wheelies on the main road.

10:06 a.m. – Gibson Drive caller reported a man throwing hot coals at the building, and it is an ongoing issue. Reporting party was not home and nothing appeared to be damaged from the supposed hot coals. A pile of coal was located near the bushes, but didn’t appear to be warm.

11:38 a.m. – Morton Meadows caller reported their medication went missing. Doctor notified of the incident.

Sunday, Sept. 3

11:38 a.m. – Drury Avenue caller reported that when they returned to their apartment, they had found someone sleeping in their apartment. Upon police arrival it was found to be a misunderstanding.

3:05 p.m. – Station lobby walk-in reported that someone had given him food with penicillin in it when they knew he was allergic to it. Necessary action taken.

3:53 p.m. – Caller from Conant and Riceville Road area reported people driving their dirt bikes around the neighborhood. Unable to locate.

4:20 p.m. – Call from S Main Street area requesting police assistance due to being locked out of their apartment. The property manager was contacted and advised that someone on scene had a key and would let him in, but requested an officer stand by due to the reporting party and the male with the key having issues with each other. Police on the scene reported a confrontation between the male party with the key and requested access assist from AFD. Door was unlocked by AFD.

5:43 p.m. – Main Street area caller reported a vehicle (description provided) that kept driving through slow and at one point appeared to be taking pictures of juveniles. Police checked the area and initially had negative contact. Follow-up later in the shift resulted in the police locating them at Cumberland Farms. Stated he had dropped someone off and was waiting for them to come back out. Refused to provide their information. When asked about speaking with juveniles, he stated he did not. Subject sent on their way.

6:03 p.m. – Male party found a license plate in the middle of the road and gave it to patrol officer. Police will attempt to contact owner.

Monday, Sept. 4

9:59 a.m. – Highland Avenue area caller reported threats being made to him and two of his siblings. Reporting party stated the person making the threats has mentioned multiple times of a firearm. Advised of court options.

1:51 p.m. – Tower Road caller reported a disturbance involving a female party that would not leave the store until employees called APD. Party had left prior to police arrival. Advised reporting party to call if she came back, and to contact manager for no trespass order.

8:09 p.m. – Main Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue area traffic stop. The operator was an employee and unaware the registration had been revoked for insurance. Officer advised the owner of the company and vehicle was towed.

Tuesday, Sept. 5

9:14 a.m. – Station lobby walk-in reported the owner of Elev8 appeared to be involved in 94C activity outside of the building (name provided).

9:22 a.m. – Freedom Street area caller reported their vehicle had been egged during the overnight hours.

9:24 a.m. – Police investigation into alleged assault reported in the Unity Avenue area. Male party reported he was assaulted by his landlord that morning, stating he had tried to push him into the road with his truck. Later in the shift a party came into the station requesting to speak with an officer regarding issues with a tenant. Another call was received reporting finding video of the incident that morning.

10:07 a.m. – Patrol officer in the Brookside Road area had someone approach him with an injured baby squirrel. Officer assisted and squirrel was picked up by another officer.

10:48 a.m. – Lincoln Avenue caller reported their vehicle had been egged sometime overnight.

11:31 a.m. – Station walk-in to request assistance with possible fraud/scam. Appeared the letter was a notice and not a fraud letter. Reporting party was advised to contact the hospital directly to see if it was an actual letter they had sent out or not. Reporting party also received a fraud packet to fill out if it was fraudulent.

1:54 p.m. – Station walk-in reported someone had attempted to take a credit card out in their name. Reporting party was advised of their options and given a fraud packet.

2:23 p.m. – Caller from Fletcher and Riverbend streets area reported a vehicle had tried to run her off the road when passing, then almost went head-on with a UPS truck. Police units advised.

2:27 p.m. – Caller from the Sanders and Elizabeth streets area reported observing a suspicious-looking suitcase at the intersection that had been there all day. The suitcase was checked, nothing inside.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

11:36 a.m. – Patrol officer in the Main Street area followed up on a vehicle in the parking lot observed with its back hatch open, but nobody was in the area. Contact was made with vehicle operator who had inadvertently left the hatch open.

11:56 a.m. – Station walk-in dropped off a wallet his son had found. Police were able to make contact with a family member to advise that the wallet was at the station.

1:12 p.m. – Orange Street area caller reported a disturbance. Requested police assistance because her husband was yelling at her and she stated she feels like she was being harassed. Officers spoke with parties involved and they were advised of options.

1:44 p.m. – Main Street caller requested police assistance with a Facebook scam where a female party was trying to get money from him.

2:22 p.m. – Athol resident requested a welfare check done on their sister who has Alzheimers Disease and hasn’t been seen or spoken to since Aug. 3. Believes her caretaker could be taking advantage of her. Police were familiar with the situation, and the sister had not yet moved to Athol and living in Maine. Referred reporting party to contact Maine State Police.

Thursday, Sept. 7

4:18 p.m. – In response to a request for assistance from the school, police followed up by speaking with subject of the complaint, who was given a verbal no-trespass to the high school. Subject will receive a hard copy of the order from the school.

Friday, Sept. 8

3:30 p.m. – Laurel Street area caller reported that their son’s smart watch was stolen at school and they want it back. Watch was located and returned.

3:56 p.m. – Report of a tractor trailer truck stuck on the Starrett’s bridge. Police assisted with traffic control until truck could get unstuck.

6:11 p.m. – Templeton Road caller reported a female party driving a vehicle by her house and yelling profanity trying to harass her son. Parties in the vehicle were throwing things into the driveway. Ongoing issue. MA State Police were sending trooper to operator’s address in Orange.

7:28 p.m. – Caller from the Hapgood and Cottage streets area reported the road was washing out where all the construction was being done. Stated there were large rocks in the road. DPW notified.

8:15 p.m. – Main Street caller reported his girlfriend’s purse was either stolen or dropped out of her vehicle that morning at Mr. Mikes.

Saturday, Sept. 9

3:27 p.m. – Main Street caller reported their tires had been slashed the previous night.

4:03 p.m. – Lombard Avenue area caller reported their neighbor was intoxicated and came at him in a threatening way, then took off in his vehicle. Reporting party was advised of court options.

5;19 p.m. – Main Street caller reported bones on the side of the road with cut marks in them. Confirmed animal bones.

6:33 p.m. – Police response to Lombard Avenue for reported disturbance. Police made contact with male party who was visibly irritated when police arrived. Male party continued to yell while telling officers to stay off his property, which they did. Once officer was able to talk over the male party’s yelling to explain the reason for their presence, male party then continued to yell. Male party was then advised to stop yelling or charges would be filed for disturbing the peace if a neighbor calls in for him causing a scene.

7:16 p.m. – Police response to Main Street disturbance. Caller requested assistance behind Athol Soap & Suds for a verbal dispute. Both parties were advised of their Harassment Prevention Order (HPO) rights and advised to stay away from each other before they were sent on their way.

7:21 p.m. – Fern Street caller reported that the parties from Freedom Street were going through the rubble from the structure fire. Advised to not enter the property.

8:59 p.m. – Morgan Avenue area patrol officer reported a light on in the church. Primary contact was notified of the lights being on. Building was secure.

10:13 p.m. – Small downed tree discovered across Pinedale Avenue. Road cleared.