police

Police received reports this week of unemployment claims that were fraudulently filed in the name of Lincoln residents on South Great Road and Page Farm Road.

October 9

Conant Road (12:32 p.m.) — Caller reported wires were down on the ground and on fire. Fire Department responded; Eversource notified.

Lincoln Road (5:55 p.m.) — Caller reported smoke in the area of the Ryan Estates. Fire Department responded and found that Codman Farm was burning in their pit.

Indian Camp Lane (6:43 p.m.) — Caller reported someone came to the house saying they needed to inspect it. Upon following up, the officer found that it was a legitimate visit from a social service agency

Todd Pond Road (6:49 p.m.) — Caller reported that solicitors had come to their door two days earlier selling magazines. No permit had been issued.

October 10

Sandy Pond Road (4:48 p.m.) — Four people fishing were sent on their way and advised that they couldn’t fish in the reservoir.

Lexington Road (7:20 p.m.) — Officer conducted a well-being check on a resident, who reported they now have phone service.

North Commons (8:03 p.m.) — Caller reported a neighbor was banging on the walls and stomping around. Officer responded; unable to make contact.

October 11

Virginia Road (1:45 p.m.) — Emerson Hospital requested a well-being check on a party. Officer checked and they were fine.

Sandy Pond Road (9:32 p.m.) — Lawn sign stolen from the five-way traffic island.

October 12

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (2:30 a.m.) — Officer stopped a vehicle and arrested Amanda Bright, 30, of Marlborough on a warrant for Larceny. She was later bailed.

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (12:30 p.m.) — A party trying to enter Hanscom Air Force Base was found to have an arrest warrant. Daniel Mugavero, 26, of Lawrence was arrested on a warrant for traffic violations.

Sandy Pond Road (2:10 p.m.) — Lawn sign stolen from the five-way traffic island.

Drumlin Farm (4:17 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the lot with its door open and no one around.

Winter Street (7:46 p.m.) — After receiving multiple calls of an erratic motor vehicle operator, an officer came across the vehicle on Winter Street. After an investigation, Michael Feeney, 27, of Taunton was arrested for OUI–drugs, possession of Class A drug, and possession of a Class E drug. 

October 13

Doherty’s Garage (9:25 a.m.) — Officer took a report of someone possibly entering buses during the night. Doherty’s requested extra checks.

Mary’s Way (4:33 p.m.) — Caller reported being notified that his identity may have been compromised due to a data breach.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (9:21 p.m.) — State police requested assistance on Rte. 2 eastbound with multiple disabled vehicles due to flooding.

October 14

North Great Road (9:09 a.m.) — Report of an injured hawk in the roadway. An officer responded and located the hawk, which flew away.

Lincoln Road (2:53 p.m.) — Car vs. motorcycle crash at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Codman Road. One party was transported to the Lahey Clinic with minor injuries.

South Great Road (3:34 p.m.) — One-car crash (party struck a traffic sign). No injuries.

Lexington Road (5:18 p.m.) — Council on Aging requested a well-being check on a resident. Everything was fine.

September 25

Red Maple Lane (10:36 a.m.) — Resident reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name.

Trapelo Road (12:45 p.m.) — Waltham police requested assistance in locating a suicidal person driving a vehicle in the Trapelo Road area. The vehicle was located at 2 p.m. on Rte. 2 westbound between Lexington Road and Bedford Road in Lincoln. The person was later found dead in the woods near the vehicle. Police said the dead man’s name was Alberto Cosco but did mot immediately provide any further information.

Griffiss St., Hanscom Air Force Base (4:35 p.m.) — A worker at the Hanscom commissary reported that a co-worker poked him during a dispute. Officer took a report; the reporting party was advised of the process if he chose to seek criminal charges.

September 26

South Great Road (8:37 a.m.) — Report of a deceased raccoon on the roadway. DPW notified.

Teddy Bear Club, Concord Road (9:28 a.m.) — Caller reported landscapers using a gas-powered leaf blower. Police advised landscapers of the by-law.

Carroll School, Baker Bridge Road (1:39 a.m.) — Caller reported landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers. Officer arrived and the landscapers were using mowers; no signs of leaf blowers being used.

Hanscom Law Enforcement, Robbins Toad, Bedford (4:56 p.m.) — Caller reported a piece of his vehicle blew off on Hartwell Avenue earlier in the day and was no longer there. Caller was advised to contact Lexington police.

North Commons (10:16 p.m.; also September 27 at 4:48 a.m. and 8:20 a.m.) — Caller reported their neighbor was continuously banging on the wall. Caller asked it to be documented and they’ll contact the management company.

September 27

Concord Road (11:26 a.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a party walking on Concord Road. Officer checked on the party, who asked for directions.
Lincoln Road (2:43 p.m.) — Resident called with a complaint regarding the amount of bicyclists not stopping at the stop signs at the five-way intersection. Complaint documented.

Huckleberry Hill (7:16 p.m.) — Unknown caller reported a resident was being scammed. Officer spoke to the resident, who reported that they were not being scammed. Officer also followed up with a family member

Page Road (9:50 p.m.) — Resident called to speak with an officer regarding an ongoing civil matter.

Weston Road (8:19 p.m.) — Officer assisting two people as they looked for a lost phone.

September 28

Beaver Pond Road (1:07 p.m.) — Resident reported that someone called them to purchase artwork and they believe it’s a scam. Party had not given no money or personal information. They were advised to ignore any future calls from the person.

Lincoln Road (3:40 p.m.) — Party called reporting an unleashed dog walking near the public safety building. The caller was advised that there is not a leash law in town.

Lincoln Police Department (4:58 p.m.) — Beverly police called looking for information on a vehicle that was previously involved in an incident in town.

Page Road (4:58 p.m.) — Caller requesting information regarding an ongoing civil matter. An officer spoke to the caller in regard to the matter.

Blueberry Lane (5:32 p.m.) — Caller reported they were walking in the area and came across a dog that was aggressive and wanted the incident documented.

Lincoln Road (6:42 p.m.) — Caller requested information on where they could load a car onto a car carrier.

MBTA station (7:41 p.m.) — Caller complained that their train was late. They were advised to contact the MBTA.

Minute Man National Park, Hartwell lot (7:57 p.m.) — Officer checked on vehicles parked in the lot after dark. The parties were sent on their way.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound) 8:37 p.m.) — Robert Walsh, 29, of Watertown was stopped and later arrested for OUI (second offense), speeding, and drinking from an open container. He was later bailed to appear in Concord District Court.

Huckleberry Hill (9:21 p.m.) — Caller reported their carbon monoxide detectors were going off. Fire Department responded and found zero CO readings

September 29

Linway Road (9:46 a.m.) — Caller report that someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim.

Page Road (11:01 a.m.) — Officer assisting a party with a civil matter.

Lincoln Road (12:34 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas in the home. The Fire Department responded and found zero readings.

Todd Pond Road (4:11 p.m.) — Caller reported an electrical burning odor in the home. Fire Department responded and found a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

Sandy Pond Road (4:39 p.m.) — State police at Logan Airport reported that a drone was flying near Flints pond. Officers checked the area but found nothing.

September 30

Reported of trees and branches down starting at 7:33 a.m. on Old County Road (three reports), Conant Road (two reports), Winter Street, Davison Drive, and Old Sudbury Road. Report of wires down on Lincoln Road at 7:48 a.m.

Trapelo Road (8:21 a.m.) — Waltham police reported that Trapelo Road is closed on their side of the town line due to a transformer fire.

Browning Lane (11:15 a.m.) — Police Department investigating a case of identity fraud involving possible harassment.

Lincoln Road (12:21 p.m.) — Eversource asked for an officer to assist with traffic at the five-way intersection due to a power outage from storm-related damage.

The Commons (4:0 p.m.) — Multiple 911 calls from a party in the memory care unit looking for assistance. Officers confirmed that everything was fine.

Stonegate Gardens, South Great Road (6:10 p.m.) — Two vehicles were reportedly broken into while parked in the lot. The case is under investigation.

October 1

South Great Road (10:18 a.m.) — Weston police reported they received a call about a party yelling on the railroad tracks near the town line. Weston police later reported that they located the party.

Stonegate Gardens, South Great Road (11:28 a.m.) — Police received a report that a vehicle that was parked at Stonegate on September 30 was broken into. The case is under investigation.

Lincoln Road (2:41 p.m.) — Caller reported a fraudulent unemployment claim was filed in their name.

Weston Road (3:47 p.m.) — Report of a suspicious person walking on Weston Road. Officer checked the area but was unable to locate the party.

Lincoln Police Department Dispatcher Spencer Hughes was arrested on October 13 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations for one count of possession of child pornography in violation of Title 18 USC 2252(a)(4)(B).

Hughes has been placed on administrative leave without pay. The town will conduct its own internal investigation and will take appropriate action, Police Chief Kevin Kennedy said in a statement, adding, “the crime alleged is very concerning and we will continue to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.”

The specific statute in question concerns possession and/or distribution of visual depictions involving the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or up to 20 years if the visual depiction involves a minor under 12 or if the defendant has a prior conviction for sexual abuse or child pornography.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations has broad legal authority to enforce a diverse array of federal statutes and investigates all types of cross-border criminal activity, including cybercrime and human rights violations.

Kennedy would not comment further on Hughes as it involves an ongoing personnel matter. He referred questions to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston, which did not immediately return a phone call on Wednesday. Further information on Hughes was unavailable, though a Google search revealed that in 2019, he participated in a Cops for Kids with Cancer donation to a Burlington boy suffering from cancer.

Police received reports this week of unemployment claims that were fraudulently filed in the name of Lincoln residents on Concord Road, Conant Road, Trapelo Road, Wells Road, Twin Pond Lane, and Huckleberry Hill.

October 2

Silver Hill Road (5:52 p.m.) — Caller reported seeing a child walking barefoot in the roadway.. Area checked but no sign of a child walking in the area.

Brooks Hill Road (6:09 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone called him looking for iCloud account information. No information was given to the apparent scammer.

October 3

Bedford Road (1:54 a.m.) — Caller reported the sound of a female scream in the area of Bemis Hall. Office checked the area but were unable to locate anything amiss.

Bedford Road (3:25 a.m.) — Kelvin Ko, 23, of Ayer was stopped on Bedford Road and later arrested for OUI/liquor and speeding.

Winter Street (6:02 p.m.) — Caller complained about tree work being done at a neighbor’s house. An officer spoke to the resident, who said the work would be done by 7 p.m.

Tower Road (6:42 p.m.) — Caller reported receiving a call asking them to purchase American Express gift cards as payment.

Old Concord Road (1:13 a.m.) — Caller requested information regarding a civil matter. Officer spoke to the caller and gave them given all legal options.

October 4

Mt. Misery parking lot, South Great Road (12:08 p.m.) — Caller complained about horses running on the trails and people not wearing masks at an annual event. An officer spoke to the coordinator of the event and advised all riders to wear masks.

North Great Road (12:08 p.m.) — Police received a 911 call about a child found in the National Park. The parents reported the child at the same time to the National Park staff. Officer responded to assist and helped reunite the child with the parents.

Drumlin Farm, South Great Road (3:07 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog being locked in a vehicle. Officer responded; the car’s window was partially open, it wasn’t hot out, and the dog appeared to be fine.

Trapelo Road (3:35 p.m.) — Police stopped a bicyclist for running the stop sign and gave them a verbal warning.

October 5

North Great Road (5:43 p.m.) — A bicyclist riding behind another person walking called out that he was going to pass on the left, at which point the walker took out a box cutter. There were words from the suspect about a friend getting knocked over by a bicycle. The suspect also allegedly made a statement that the bicyclist wasn’t wearing a mask. No arrests were made.

South Great Road (8:21 a.m.) — Caller reported someone was at his house who claimed to be from Dig Safe. Officer responded; the worker was at the wrong house.

North Commons (10:22 a.m.) — Caller reported an injured hawk in the area. The animal control officer was contacted to handle the matter.

Tower Road (3:29 p.m.) — Caller reported receiving a call from Publishers Clearinghouse stating they had won some money. No personal information was given over the phone.

October 6

Old County Road (2:05 a.m.) — A stop sign was vandalized with spray paint.

Morningside Lane (9:46 p.m.) — Caller reported a car parked outside their house for a while. Officer checked the area; two neighbors were talking.

October 7

Huckleberry Hill (9:55 a.m.) — Caller reported they couldn’t get in touch with a relative. An officer spoke to the homeowner and advised them to call the reporting party.

Tower Road (10:12 a.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas outside their house. Fire Department responded and shut off the propane tank. Propane company responded. No gas readings inside the house.

Old Concord Road (1:48 p.m.) — Caller wanted to report their vehicle was stolen but was advised that it was a civil matter.

Old Lexington Road (4:05 p.m.) — Caller reported being possibly scammed by someone who claimed to be tech support staff who gained access to their computer.

Police received reports of trees and branches down starting at 5:51 p.m. until 2:41 a.m. on October 8 on Concord Road, Bedford Road, Lincoln Road, Trapelo Road, Weston Road, Sandy Pond Road, Codman Road, South Great Road, Mill Street, Bypass Road, Old Lexington Road, Brooks Road, Blueberry Lane, Tabor Hill Road, Meadow Dam Road, Todd Pond Road, Baker Bridge Road, Page Road, Conant Road, Grasshopper Lane, Granville Road, Meadowbrook Road, North Great Road, and Windingwood Lane.

North Great Road (5:50 p.m.) — A large tree fell on a passing car. No injuries but road was closed temporarily.

Lincoln Road (6:05 p.m.) — A tree fell on a vehicle; no injuries.

Doherty’s Garage, Lincoln Road (7:32 p.m.) — A vehicle drove off with the pump hose still attached. The hose was reattached to the pump.

Oak Knoll Road (7:35 p.m.) — Fire Department assisted a homeowner who was locked out of their house.

Todd Pond Road (9:24 p.m.) — Caller reported suspicious activity and possible scam by door-to-door solicitors.

South Great Road (11:30 p.m.) — Two-car crash, no injuries.

October 8

Todd Pond Road (9:15 a.m.) — Caller reported that a tree fell on their two cars parked in their driveway.

Concord Road (3:02 p.m.) — A car hit a tree. One party was transported to Emerson Hospital.

Hawk Hill Road (4:07 p.m.) — Caller reported being bitten by a dog earlier. Animal control officer will handle.

Sunnyside Lane (7:48 p.m.) — Caller requesting a well-being check on a resident. Resident was fine and will contact the reporting party.

Lexington Road (7:01 p.m.) — The Council on Aging requested a well-being check on a resident. An officer checked and found that resident was fine and has power restored.

Lincoln Road (7:12 p.m.) — A police cruiser stuck a deer but sustained no damage. The deer ran off into the woods.

September 18

Hillside Road (12:20 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name.

deCordova Museum (4:58 p.m.) — Caller reported individuals parking and unloading fishing gear. Officer located the parties and advised them to move along.

South Great Road (7:54 p.m.) — Jonathan Caso, 23, of 63 Florence Rd. in Waltham was arrested for OUI–liquor and speeding. He was later bailed to appear in Concord District Court for arraignment.

September 19

Weston Road (9:07 p.m.) — Street sign knocked over. DPW notified.

September 20

Mill Street (6:36 p.m.) — Caller reported that a forklift was parked in her driveway. Forklift was found to belong to a landscaping company doing work on the property.

Lincoln Woods (7:32 pm.) — Caller reported fireworks going off opposite Lincoln Woods. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

September 21

Lincoln Woods (10:57 a.m.) — Caller reported that employees from the mall were seen throwing trash in his dumpster. Officers spoke to the business owner, who will look into the issue and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Harvest Circle, 1:05 p.m. — Officer took a report of an attempted fraud via on online takeover of the party’s computer. Report taken. The party suffered no financial loss.

Carroll School, Baker Bridge Road (2:55 p.m.) — Caller reported leaf blowers were being used at the school. Officer responded and found no leaf blowers being used.

Lincoln Road (11:32 p.m.) — Resident called reporting that they were possibly scammed and personal information was acquired online. An officer took a report and advised the person to put a fraud alert on their personal information.

September 22

South Great Road (9:50 a.m.) ­— Caller reported that two males pulled up their driveway in a vehicle. One man got out and walked around the side of the house while the other went to the front door. The homeowner spoke to the man at the front door and asked them to leave the property. The two parties left. Officers checked the area and were unable to find them.

Wheeler Road, Concord — Officer assisted Concord police who are busy with other calls by responding to a crash and assisting the parties in exchanging paperwork. No injuries.

Donelan’s parking lot (5:51 p.m.) — Caller reported he believes his car was scraped while parked in the lot. He was advised to file a report with his insurance company.

September 23

Lincoln School (1:48 a.m.) — Officer checking on a vehicle parked in the school located several teen walking around the property. Contact made with their their parents; teens were advised to drive directly home.

Weston Road (7:21 a.m.) — Caller complained about noise from construction in the area with the sound of music being played. Officer spoke to the workers and asked if they’d turn down the music. The workers were cooperative.

Russett Court (7:22 p.m.) — Caller reported they were scammed while attempting to use their stimulus money. Report taken; the party will follow up with customer service in the morning.

September 24

Bowles Terrace (10:03 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim. Report taken; caller was also given the state’s website to file a report.

Lexington Road (1:24 p.m.) — Officer delivered legal paperwork to a resident.

Indian Camp Lane (3:15 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a resident. While an officer was en route, the caller said they were able to speak with the resident.

Ridge Road (3:29 p.m.) — Caller reported their cat has been missing for a couple of days. Police have no reported of a found cat. 

Twin Pond Lane (4:44 p.m.) — Police received a 911 call reporting that a male had been stabbed in in a vehicle on Twin Pond Lane. As a result of an investigation, a juvenile was arrested and is facing delinquency charges of armed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The juvenile was arraigned in Middlesex Juvenile Court on September 25. The victim sought treatment on their own at a local hospital. This was not a random act, but due to the age of the suspect, police could not provide further details. 

Greenridge Lane (7:06 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing gunshots. A subsequent caller reported hearing fireworks in the area. Police were unable to locate.

Lincoln Police Department (2:39 a.m.) — A party walked into the station looking to make a phone call for a ride due to their mobile phone dying. Party made arrangements for a ride home.

September 11

Marconi Auto, Concord Rd. (4:00 a.m.) — Officer checked on a party sitting in a vehicle; all was well.

Page Road (12:45 p.m.) — Caller asked to speak with an officer regarding a possible violation of a civil order. Officer spoke to the party and determined there was no violation.

Old Sudbury Road (3:02 p.m.) — Caller reported a low-hanging branch partially in the roadway. An officer coned off the roadway and contacted the DPW to respond.

[Read more…] about Police log for week of Sept. 11, 2020

Sudbury police are now also looking for information on this masked man who was caught on camera in Lincoln last week.

A masked man caught on a home surveillance camera in Lincoln last week has appeared in Sudbury, and police in both towns are asking anyone with information to contact them.

The Sudbury Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred on September 15 at approximately 3:15 p.m. when a man on a black scooter and wearing a similar outfit as the person in the Lincoln photo approached a residence on Rte. 117 in Sudbury (the same road on which the Lincoln home is located).

The man entered the garage of the residence and, when confronted by the homeowner, said he was selling magazines. “We believe this to be a ruse but, if it is true, it is also a violation of the solicitor bylaws,” Sudbury police said on their Facebook page.

The encounter occurred 10 days after the Lincoln incident, which Lincoln police reported on their Facebook page on September 8.

Sudbury police asked anyone who has video of North Road between Longfellow Road and Mossman Road or anyone who remembers seeing a male on a smaller black scooter at the given time to call a detective at the Sudbury Police Department 978-443-1042. “We also welcome the pictured person to contact us, so we can sort out this matter,” police added.

September 4

Old Concord Road (12:39 a.m.) — Berkshire Sheriff’s Department requested a well-being check, as a Lincoln resident’s car was found parked out in Lee. Officers checked; house is under construction and no one was home. Sheriff’s Department notified.

Aspen Circle (9:30 a.m.) — Caller wanted to speak with the dog officer regarding a dog that charged her. Dog officer was asked to call the reporting party. The person called again at 3:59 p.m. The dog officer had tried to call earlier but no one answered; she’ll call them back.

Old Concord Road (3:19 p.m.) — Caller complained about cars parked on Old Concord Road. Officers found that road was passable.

Hemlock Circle (4:1 p.m.) — Caller reported an aggressive dog she encountered. Animal Control is already speaking with the owner regarding the other complaint.

September 5

Bypass Road (2:01 a.m.) — Jason Gillis, 32, of16 Phillip Rd. in Burlington was arrested for OUI–second offense and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:43 p.m.) — 911 call about a two-car crash on Rte. 2 at Bedford Road. No injuries; state police are handling the crash report with Lincoln officers assisting.

Weston Road (3:26 p.m.) — Resident reported a brush fire hat they can’t control. Fire Department responded; Weston Fire Department also requested to assist.

South Great Road (4:32 p.m.) — Caller reported that earlier in the day, they witnessed a male party come up to their door of their residence on their surveillance camera. The party had a mask covering their face and was possibly driving a motorcycle. Click here for details.

September 6

Old Concord Road (5:42 a.m.) — Caller reports an odor of smoke in the area. Smoke was coming from a cooking fire.

September 7

Lincoln School (4:36 p.m.) — Caller reported a party walking at the school who appeared to be intoxicated, throwing rocks and mumbling. Police were unable to locate the party at the school but an officer then located a person on Weston Road who fit the description. The officer spoke to the person who was coming from the school and all appears to be fine.

Standish Circle, Wellesley — A Fire Department member responded to Wellesley for a dive team activation for a water incident.

September 8

Virginia Road (10:25 a.m.) — Caller reported an issue with his smoke detector. Fire Department responded and found the detector’s batteries were low.

Trapelo Road (2:41 p.m.) — Party came to the station reporting that her Black Lives Matter sign is missing from her front lawn. Officer took a report.

North Great Road (6:00 p.m.) — Caller reported seeing two bicyclists down on the side of the road near the National Park. Officer spoke to the parties who were waiting for a ride; they declined any medical attention.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (8:06 p.m.) — Caller reported that her dog ran off into the woods and her husband went to find it and hadn’t come back either. An officer responded and located the husband on the roadway. The dog soon returned to the house.

September 9

Lexington Road (11:19 a.m.) — Caller reported that a dog just ran out onto Rte. 2 but subsequently reported that the owner located the dog and is bringing it home.

Page Road (1:25 p.m.) — Court paperwork was delivered to a resident.

Greenridge Lane (1:26 p.m.) — Party reported that someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name.

Farrar Road (4:41 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas in the area. Fire Department responding and reported that a gas company crew was working just over the town line in Wayland.

South Great Road (5:49 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas in the area. Tennessee Gas is working in the area and said the odor should dissipate soon.

September 10

National Park, Hartwell lot 2:04 a.m.) — A group was parked in the parking lot. The parties were spoken to and sent on their way.

Concord Road (8:19 a.m.) — Caller reported a deceased animal on the side of the roadway. DPW notified to handle.

Boston Post Road, Weston (10:16 a.m.) — Motorcycle officer assisted Weston police at the funeral of a Weston Fire Department member.

Concord Road (8:19 p.m.) — 911 calls reported two parties yelling at each another on the side of the road in a dispute between the driver and a passenger in a vehicle. Parties were separated and passenger agreed to take an Uber home.

A photo of the unidentified man captured by a resident’s doorbell camera.

A photo of an unidentified man ringing the doorbell of a house has caused apprehension as well as warnings not to jump to conclusions after the photo was posted to Facebook by the Lincoln Police Department.

The image was captured by the doorbell camera of a South Great Road resident who wasn’t home at the time — Saturday, Sept. 5 at about 12:30 p.m., according to police. The man was wearing a hoodie, heavy gloves, and a military-style mask that obscured most of his face.

In a discussion of the photo on LincolnTalk, some wondered why someone would be dressed on a hot summer day in what one resident characterized as “deliberately scary, identity-obfuscating gear” while other noted that face masks are common in this Covid-19 era. Another resident reluctantly raised the possibility that the man was Black while also adding, “Are we in a situation where we have assumed something because the color of someone’s skin by definition made him ‘other’ and ‘suspicious’?”

Police noted in their Facebook post that the man was operating a small motorcycle or scooter. In the photo he was holding what could be a helmet with his left arm. 

“Someone could say that [clothing] is consistent” with motorcycle-riding attire, but “other people could say he’s overly dressed based on the weather,” Police Chief Kevin Kennedy said in an interview Thursday afternoon. 

The sister of the resident whose house was involved wrote that the home is on a busy road but well off the street. When the homeowner reported the incident to police, the officer mentioned that there had been a few break-ins in Concord and Weston, the homeowner’s sister added.

Potential burglars sometimes ring a doorbell first to see if anyone is home; if someone answers the door, they can then make an excuse such as having gotten lost or being there to perform repairs at the home, Kennedy noted. There were no signs of a break-in, though “there could be other things going on” that might have forestalled an attempt, he added.

“You have to go into this with an open mind, and it doesn’t appear at this point that a crime was committed,” Kennedy said. “I don’t want anyone to think that this person is associated with any crime at this point.

“This is not a case of someone innocently driving through town and being unfairly profiled” by Lincoln police, a resident wrote on LincolnTalk.

“There are plenty of red flags here that don’t involve [skin] color,” another resident wrote. “They put the picture out to see if others saw this person and witnessed any suspicious behavior. Just diligent police work.”

“It’s not for us to judge. At the same time, [it’s] not wrong to ask respectful questions in these weird times,” another resident wrote.

Anyone who recognizes the man in the photo is urged to call Detective Ian Spencer at 781-259-8113.