police & fire

Lincoln firefighters were called out three times for fires in two towns in a 24-hour period on June 26-27.

Early in the morning of June 26, a Todd Pond Road resident heard something strange outside their house and discovered a brush fire. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the slow-moving fire, which eventually covered about an acre and started when a tree branch took down power lines.

Later that morning, Wayland firefighters were out handling a fire on High Rock Road in that town and Lincoln personnel responded to covered their station. Then that evening at 7:10pm, it was back to Wayland when the owners of a house on Emerson Road came home to find their house on fire. Crews from Lincoln, Weston, Sudbury, Framingham, and Natick as well as Wayland responded.

“Someone went inside prior to the Fire Department [arriving] to rescue the dog,” said Lincoln Fire Chief Brian Young. The dog was taken to a 24-hour vet and was apparently fine. The fire started in the kitchen and was mostly contained to that room, “though smoke and heat damage did a lot of damage to the other rooms,” he added.

June 20

Due to high winds, there were reports of trees or large branches down on Greenridge Lane, South Great Road, Route 2 eastbound, Macintosh Lane, Mill Street, and Weston Road.

Storey Drive (10:32am) — A resident spoke with an officer regarding a possible banking fraud incident.

Stoneybrook Road, Weston (4:25pm) — An officer assisted the Weston Police Department with a mutual aid request.

Walden Pond boat ramp (6:26pm) — A caller reported seeing three people walking on the railroad tracks near Walden Pond. Concord Police and the MBTA were notified.

June 21

Sandy Pond Road (4:35pm) — An officer spoke to several people who were illegally fishing at Flint’s Pond.

Weston Road (4:52pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a civil matter.

Huckleberry Hill (5:13pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a civil matter.

North Great Road (5:27pm) — A two vehicle crash was reported at the intersection of Hanscom Drive and Route 2A. There were no injuries and both vehicles were towed from the scene. One of the operators was cited for failure to stop/yield.

Cranberry Terrace, Hanscom AFB (7:20pm) — Officers assisted Hanscom Air Force Security Forces in conducting a well-being check at a residence (everyone was OK).

June 22

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (7:23pm) — Several calls were received for a motorcycle rider possibly passed out in the roadway median. An officer located the person, who was not licensed to operate the motorcycle. The vehicle was towed and the operator was cited. They were transported to the police station to make alternative transportation arrangements.

Weston Road (10:53pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person.

June 23

Silver Birch Lane (12:06am) — An officer responded to the area for the report of dogs barking and spoke to both the reporting party and the dogs’ home. The officer observed no barking for the duration of their time on scene.

South Great Road (9:56am) — A caller found a lost item on the trails by Mt. Misery and was able to return the item to its owner.

Wells Road (4:51pm) — An officer spoke to a person regarding an out-of-state incident.

June 24

Wells Road (2:33pm) — An officer conducted a follow-up on a previously reported incident.

June 25

Round Hill Road (10:10pm) — An officer assisted a caller with a residential lockout.

June 26

Twin Pond Lane (1:48am) — A caller reported seeing and hearing something strange behind their home. A brush fire had broken out after an electrical wire snapped. The Fire Department and Eversource responded.

Harvest Circle (9:57pm) — Officers assisted a person with a civil matter.

Beaver Pond Road (4:08pm) — An officer checked a residence at the owner’s request.

Todd Pond Road (5:02pm) — An officer responded for a report of a gas-powered leaf blower being used and spoke with the user to advise them of the town bylaw.

June 27

Todd Pond Road (2:39pm) — An officer responded to a different Todd Pond Road residence for the report of a gas-powered leaf blower being used. The officer spoke with the user and advised them of the town bylaw.

Bedford Road (5:02pm) — A person requested an area-wide well-being check for a family member who had not been heard from for several days. The request was canceled a short time later.

June 28

Pierce House (6:38pm) — A caller reported a drone above a wedding. The drone belonged to the wedding videographer.

Old Town Hall Exchange (11:21pm) — A caller reported a person on an electric bicycle acting erratically. An officer spoke with the cyclist; there was no issue.

June 29

Old Bedford Road (5:58pm) — A dog was reported on the loose on the conservation trails. The dog and owner were reunited shortly thereafter.

Wells Road (7:31pm) — An officer assisted an outside agency with a notification.

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum (7:49pm) — An officer spoke to a motorist regarding a possible hit-and-run incident in a parking lot.

June 12

Weston Road (11:23am) — Several vehicles were parked on both sides of Weston Road and Lincoln Road for an event held at the Pierce House. An officer helped Pierce House staff with moving several vehicles.

Lincoln School (10:19pm) — An officer checked on a person who was waiting for a tow service due to a disabled motor vehicle.

June 13

South Great Road (11:50am) — A caller reported a damaged utility pole. An officer checked the utility poles and found no apparent damage.

Stratford Way (2:45pm) — A caller reported the unauthorized use of a leaf blower by a landscaping company. An officer spoke with a landscaper, who stated that they had not yet used a leaf blower but would refrain from doing so to comply with the town bylaw.

Birchwood Lane (2:57pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a possible bank fraud.

June 14

MBTA station (1:58am) — Officers responded to a physical disturbance near the train platform. They were able to deescalate the situation and remained on scene until everyone cleared from the area.

Bedford Road (8:33am) — The owner of a construction trailer parked in the roadway was asked to move as it was obstructing traffic.

Winter Street (5:19pm) — Officers were called to a residence to check the area after a caller reported seeing someone on their Ring camera. They checked the area but were unable to locate anyone.

Trapelo Road (7:19pm) — Several people were advised fishing was prohibited at the Cambridge Reservoir.

June 15

Lincoln Road (12:50pm) — An officer spoke to a caller about several possibly missing items.

Sandy Pond Road (2:20pm) — An officer remained on scene with a disabled motor vehicle until a tow truck arrived.

June 16

South Great Road (2:20am) — Officers helped Weston Police and Massachusetts State Police with a stolen motor vehicle that was reportedly passing through Lincoln via Rt. 117. An officer encountered the vehicle by Old County Road but broke off the pursuit once the vehicle turned onto Route 2. The investigation is ongoing.

Lincoln Gas and Auto (12:37pm) — An officer helped a person with a civil matter.

Wells Road (3:10pm) — A caller reported that their parked vehicle had been struck during the overnight hours.

June 17

Ballfield Road (6:59am) — An officer helped a caller contact a family member.

Old Winter Street (5:21pm) — A caller reported seeing a sick racoon on their property. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Baker Bridge Road (5:40pm) — An officer helped a caller conduct a well-being check on a family member.

June 18

Codman Road (1:00pm) — A caller spoke to an officer regarding a possible fraud.

Trapelo Road (3:46pm) — An officer checked the area for the report of unauthorized soliciting for sales of solar equipment. The officer was unable to locate the solicitor.

Bedford Road (4:50pm) — An officer checked the area for another report of unauthorized solar solicitor. The officer was unable to locate the person but remained in the area in case they return.

Lincoln Road (5:22pm) — A caller reported that they lost their keys and were unable to access their vehicle. A tow company was called to assist.

Lincoln Police Department (11:55pm) — An officer spoke to a person in the lobby seeking assistance.

June 19

Todd Pond Road (11:38am) — A caller reported that someone at a neighboring home was using a leaf blower. An officer responded and advised the person about the town bylaw.

Stratford Way (11:38am) — A caller reported that a neighbor’s landscape company was using a leaf blower. An officer spoke to the landscaper and advised them to cease all leaf blowing operations per the town bylaw. The landscaper complied.

Trapelo Road (1:46pm) — An officer spoke to a motorist whose window had shattered window after from a rock that was launched by a piece of landscaping equipment.

North Commons (4:59pm) — The Fire Department helped a person inside their home.

(Editor’s note: the June 10 Upland Feld item was updated on June 20 after the Lincln Squirrel received further information.)

June 1

Pierce House (2:36pm) — A caller reported a missing item from a vehicle parked at the Pierce House. The investigation is ongoing.

Baker Farm Road (6:55pm) — Police and fire units for a motorcycle crash. The operator was transported to the hospital and cited for speed and a marked lanes violation.

June 2

Bypass Road (11:28am) — An attempt to serve court paperwork was unsuccessful.

Wells Road (3:25pm) — An officer assisted an individual with an ongoing matter.

June 3

Route 2 Gas (8:07pm) — An officer assisted two motorists with a minor motor vehicle crash.

South Great Road (9:34am) — A caller reported the railroad gates appeared to be malfunctioning. Officers checked the area and observed the gates, which appeared to be operating normally.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (6:49pm) — Officers assisted a motorist after a report of a possible hit and run.

June 4

Twisted Tree Café (1:40pm) — An officer responded to the parking lot for the report of a motor vehicle hit and run.

Bedford Road (5:30pm) — An officer spoke with a motorist about a report of tailgating. The officer followed up with them after attempting to locate the vehicle.

Ballfield Road (6:55pm) — An officer was called to help a turtle across the road. The officer was able to move it to a safe location.

Tower Road (7:44pm) — An officer spoke to a person about the delivery of some items.

June 5

Woods End Road (10:51am) — Officers spoke with a person after an accidental activation of an Apple watch alarm.

June 6

Old Concord Road (11:25pm) — An officer spoke with a resident regarding a suspicious person ringing their doorbell and then checked the area but was unable to locate anyone on foot.

June 7

Wells Road (2:35am) — Officers responded to a residence for a noise complaint.

June 8

Pine Ridge Road (2:25pm) — An officer spoke with an individual regarding being the possible victim of a fraud.

Trapelo Road (12:52pm) — A crash occurred near the intersection of Trapelo Road and Winter Street when a vehicle had crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. All occupants of both vehicles were transported to area hospitals. The road remained closed for several hours while the vehicles were being removed. The operator responsible for the crash was cited for a marked lanes violation.

June 9

Trapelo Road (8:46am) — A caller reported a landscape company using leaf blowers outside of the approved time period. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate anyone using a leaf blower.

Virginia Road, Concord (12:05pm) — The Lincoln Fire Department responded to the town of Concord for a mutual aid response.

Trapelo Road (4:04pm) — Three people were told to stop fishing at the Cambridge Reservoir.

Lincoln Woods (5:21pm) — A caller advised that they were approached by a solicitor. The person was with an environmental organization providing information related to bee preservation.

Blackburnian Road (5:53pm) — A caller reported someone soliciting pest control services. An officer spoke with the person and advised them about the soliciting bylaw.

Indian Camp Lane (6:59pm) — A person spoke with an officer regarding potential computer hacking.

June 10

Upland Field Road (8:10pm) – A caller reported the odor of natural gas inside the residence. The Fire Department and National Grid were able to locate the source of the odor emanating from an exterior leak. The gas service to the residence was temporarily disabled until a faulty valve could be replaced.

June 11

Giles Road (3:02pm) — n person who was soliciting without a permit was advised to cease operations.

South Great Road (6:44pm) and Lincoln Gas and Auto (7:16pm) — Callers reported a solicitor without credentials in the area. This individual was believed to be related to the previous call.

Lexington Road (8:56pm) — An officer checked a residence. All appeared secure.

Lexington Road (11:23pm) — Officers helped a person get back to their residence.

May 21

Winter Street (8:31am) — A caller reported a past suspicious vehicle in the area. An officer did a follow-up with the vehicle’s owner.

Lincoln Road (12:19pm) — A caller reported an individual with grocery bags walking on a conservation trail near a residence. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate anyone matching the description.

Wells Road (6:30pm) — An officer helped a resident after speaking with an immediate family member.

May 22

Wells Road (12:43pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on an individual at the request of a family member.

Trapelo Road (9:22pm) — An officer checked the area for the report of loud noise but heard nothing out of the ordinary.

Mayflower Road, Hanscom AFB (10:06pm) — An officer spoke to an individual regarding an ongoing incident.

May 24

Langley Road, Hanscom AFB (8:30pm) — An officer provided directions to a lost motorist.

May 25

Gerard’s Farm Stand (12:54pm) — Lincoln police and fire helped the Massachusetts State Police with a single-vehicle rollover motor vehicle crash.

May 26

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (12:52am) — An officer provided directions to a lost motorist.

Trapelo Road (5:40pm) — Several people were advised they were not allowed to fish at the Cambridge Reservoir.

Beaver Pond Road (10:27pm) — An officer advised a homeowner to turn down music at an outside event after a noise complaint was received.

May 27

South Great Road (9:32am) — Officers helped two motorists with an information exchange after a minor motor vehicle crash.

Sandy Pond Road (10:45am) — National Grid was notified after a residential natural gas line was inadvertently severed.

Mount Misery parking lot (10:49am) — A two-vehicle crash occurred when a vehicle was struck from behind. There were no injuries reported. The operator responsible for the crash was cited.

Tracey’s Corner (7:58pm) — A caller reported an interaction with a suspicious individual. An investigation is ongoing.

Concord Road (8:23pm) — A caller reported two solicitors trying to sell solar products without proper identification. The area was searched but they were not found.

May 28

Canoe landing parking lot (12:41am) — A caller reported a deer walking in the middle of the road. Officers checked the area and found that the deer had walked into the woods.

Multiple larcenies were reported at locations including Pine Ridge Road and Chestnut Circle — details here.

Bedford Road (7:21am) — A large turtle was reported in the roadway. An officer was able to move it off the road.

South Great Road (11:56am) — An item was turned into the police station for safe disposal/destruction.

Long Meadow Road (2:05pm) — A person asked to speak to an officer regarding some past suspicious activity.

Tracey’s Corner (4:30pm) — An officer conducted a follow-up investigation related to an earlier incident.

May 29

Bypass Road (9:09am) — A caller reported a past deer strike. An officer documented the incident.

Lincoln Road (4:33pm) — A minor hit and run was reported on Lincoln Road when a motorist struck another vehicle but failed to stop after the collision. No one was injured.

South Commons (1:56pm) — A caller reported hearing a single loud bang. Officers checked the area but heard and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Lincoln Road (6:00pm) — After a one-car crash, the roadway was closed for some time due to utility wires contacting the ground. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was eventually towed from the scene and the wires were removed by a utility company.

Trapelo Road (7:37pm) — A caller reported two people offering power washing services without proper soliciting credentials. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate them.

Sandy Pond Road (10:21pm) — A caller reported seeing a suspicious motor vehicle in the area. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle.

May 30

Bedford Road (10:14am) — Officers helped a turtle cross the road.

Lewis Street (6:52pm) — Officers helped an outside agency in locating an individual.

May 31

Winter Street (8:38am) — The Cambridge Water Department reported illegal dumping. An officer arrived and documented the items.

Bedford Road (4:49pm) — A small dog was found wandering in the roadway. It was reunited with its owner a short time later.

Weston Road (6:21pm) — A single-vehicle crash was reported on Weston Road and the road was closed in both directions for several hours due to a damaged utility pole. There were no reported injuries.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 28, officers responded to multiple calls for car breaks on the south side of Lincoln close to major routes that intersect the town, as well as one stolen motor vehicle (a BMW sedan).

These incidents are similar to those that occurred on May 17 and 24 where several car breaks occurred throughout Lincoln and area towns. Thieves targeted unlocked vehicles, passing on those with locked doors.

Lincoln police, in partnership with departments in towns that were also targeted, are investigating these incidents. Communities reporting similar incidents include Wayland, Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Arlington, Lexington, and Reading.   

Police say it’s imperative for all residents and visitors to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables from view. It’s also crucial for ignition keys or fobs to be removed from vehicles when not in use. 

 

May 9

Lincoln Road (12:38am) — An officer helped an injured owl close to the roadway.

Trapelo Road (12:49am) — Waltham Police requested assistance in checking the area for reported gunshots. Officers searched the area but heard nothing out of the ordinary.

Lincoln Road (11:47am) — An officer spoke with an individual regarding a potential fraud incident.

May 10

Wheeler Road (5:59pm) — An officer helped a motorist with a disabled vehicle. AAA was notified.

May 11

South Great Road (7:08am) — A motor vehicle and cyclist collided as the vehicle attempted to pass the cyclist. The cyclist suffered minor injuries. The operator of the vehicle was cited for a passing violation.

Minuteman Technical High School (5:31pm) — A person reported damage to their vehicle after it had been parked in a designated parking spot for approximately seven hours. The incident is under investigation.

May 12

Concord Road (2:19pm) — A dead deer was reported on the side of the roadway. The DPW was notified.

Trapelo Road (5:38pm) — Two people were advised that fishing was prohibited in the Cambridge Reservoir.

Concord Road (6:40pm) — A person whose identity may have been compromised spoke with an officer.

May 13

South Great Road (6:31am) — A caller requested police intervention for a noise complaint due to residential construction.

Longmeadow Road (2:53pm) — An officer took possession of an firearm that was to be destroyed.

Wells Road (7:14pm) — An officer spoke with a resident regarding a dispute with a neighbor.

Twin Pond Lane (7:45pm) — An officer spoke with a resident about a noise complaint.

May 14

Lincoln Road (12:48pm) — A caller asked for help in getting their dog in a car after it was apparently struck by a vehicle. Officers assisted the dog and owner with the preparation for transport.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (2:26pm) — A caller reported that a contractor was removing their trees without permission. The building inspector arrived to handle the issue related to property lines.

Lincoln Road (3:05pm) — An officer assisted two people with a parking complaint.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:18pm) — Officers assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a two-vehicle crash.

Lincoln Road (5:51pm) — Two dogs were seen loose in a neighbor’s yard. The owner of the dogs was contacted.

May 15

Bedford Road (3:51pm) — A caller reported a suspicious person walking on Bedford Road. A family member was contacted. The individual is known to the department.

South Great Road (6:18pm) — A two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection with Lincoln Road. One of the drivers was cited for failure to yield. There were no injuries reported and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Lexington Road (7:37pm) — A caller reported a loose cow in the area of the cemetery. The owners were contacted and retrieved the animal.

May 16

Birchwood Lane (2:45pm) — An officer performed a site check on a residence under construction.

May 17

Todd Pond Road, South Great Road, Trapelo Road (6:37am to 9:33am) — Police received reports of cars being broken into and (in one case) stolen. Details here.

Todd Pond Road (4:23pm) — A caller reported seeing an owl on a low-hanging branch. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Trapelo Road (4:49pm) — Two people were advised fishing was prohibited at the Cambridge Reservoir.

Tower Road (5:54pm) — A caller reported a man in distress on their property. The Fire Department assisted the person.

Sunnyside Lane (9:30pm) — A caller reported someone knocking on their door. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anyone.

May 18

Mill Street (3:17pm) — A caller reported that a vehicle struck a tree and that the driver fled on foot. An investigation is ongoing.

May 19

Wells Road (8:37am) — A person reported their vehicle had been broken into and damaged. The incident appears to be related to the May 17 reports.

Weston Road (10:36am) — A caller reported their dog had been bitten by another dog. An officer is investigating the incident.

Todd Pond Road (3:34pm and 7:04pm) — An officer tried to serve a resident with Registry of Motor Vehicles paperwork. The second attempt was successful.

Sandy Pond Road (4:13pm) — An officer tried to locate two people fishing at Sandy Pond but was unable to find them

Oak Meadow Road (9:11pm) — An officer checked the area after a report of five successive noises similar to gunshots but found nothing.

Lincoln Road (10:01pm) — An officer responded to the area for an injured owl. As the officer arrived, the owl flew away.

May 20

Baker Bridge Road (8:43am) — An officer responded after a report of a motor vehicle crash. They located the vehicle and helped the driver.

South Great Road (10:58am) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person.

Ryan Estate (11:03am) — An officer helped a person get into their residence after a lockout.

Several vehicles in south Lincoln were broken into last weekend, police reported.

Police got reports of larcenies from motor vehicles on Todd Pond Road and South Great Road near the Weston town line, as well as a stolen car on Trapelo Road, all in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 17. The stolen car, which had the keys inside, was later recovered in Waltham.

“As of now, it appears all of the vehicles were either in driveways or parked in designated parking spots,” said Lincoln Police Sgt. Ian Spencer. “The incident is still under investigation in coordination with state and neighboring agencies.”

Police asked residents to be vigilant in locking vehicles and not leaving valuables or keys inside. Anyone whose security cameras might have captured suspicious activity are asked to contact police.

Old County Road

Old County Road will be closed from May 28 through June 10 for routine inspection and maintenance of an underground pipeline. The work will run Mondays through Saturdays from 7:00am–5:00pm. Police officers will be assigned to the area to assist with detours and residential access. 

Lt. Jon Wentworth, a 27-year veteran of the Lincoln Police Department, was named acting chief of police during a closed-door meeting of the Select Board on May 12. The action was taken after Chief of Police Sean Kennedy was arrested on May 10 on domestic violence charges and the town put him on paid administrative leave.

A call to Martin F. Kane II, Kennedy’s attorney, was not returned.

On Tuesday, media outlets including the Boston Globe and 10Boston (NBC) reported more details of the incident. The woman required stitches to close a wound near her eye, according to the Boston Globe, citing the Westwood police report. 10Boston (NBC) quoted the same report, saying the woman told police this was not the first time Kennedy had assaulted her. “She stated ‘he’s just a jealous guy’ and that he ‘definitely lost his [expletive], it doesn’t take much'” but that Saturday’s injuries were “‘worse than anything in the past.'”

Wentworth was promoted to lieutenant in July 2024 after serving as a sergeant for 10 years. Before that, he was a detective for 11 years and a patrol/juvenile officer for five years, according to his LinkedIn page.

This is not the first time in recent years that a Lincoln Police Department officer has been arrested. Dispatcher Spencer Hughes was arrested in October 2020 on charges of possessing child pornography and resigned a week later while the town was in the process of moving forward with a termination hearing.

Lincoln Police Chief Sean Kennedy has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested over the weekend at his Westwood home on domestic violence charges.

Kennedy was arrested by Westwood police on May 10 and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a wall) and assault and battery on a household member. He was arraigned Monday in Dedham District Court and released on $1,500 bail. He was ordered to stay away from the victim.

Reached by the Lincoln Squirrel, Westwood Police Chief Jeffrey Silva declined to specify the charges on which Kennedy was arrested, saying that state laws concerning public records and police logs “enumerate exceptions [to public release] for certain types of events.” However, WCVB-TV quoted the Westwood police report as saying that Kennedy’s wife said he threw her into a wall at their home during an argument. The victim was reportedly treated at a local hospital for facial injuries and received stitches above her eye. The victim also told officers she had been assaulted by Kennedy in the past, according to WCVB’s account of the police report.

Westwood police informed town officials that Kennedy had been arrested in connection with “an off-duty incident taking place at his residence,” according to a written statement from Town Administrator Tim Higgins. “The town takes any such allegations very seriously and, consistent with town policy, has placed the chief on administrative leave. As with any person under arrest, the chief is presumed innocent pending the results of the legal process. The town will be conducting its own internal review of the matter.  At this time, the Town will refrain from any additional comment.”

Kennedy began his career with the Lasell College Police Department and the South Portland Police Department before joining the Lincoln Police Department in 1996. He was promoted to sergeant in 2014 and lieutenant in 2014 before being named acting chief in 2023 (succeeding the retiring Kevin Kennedy) and then chief in June 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile.