Being a police officer is like no other job in the world.   It can best be described as having a ringside seat to the greatest show on earth every day.   As you read the accounts set forth in the LPD update, it is important to remember:

We could not make this stuff up if we tried.

No one lies to the police.

The names of the individuals involved in the cases discussed in this column have not been published to protect their identity.


Noteworthy Arrests and Incidents

Too Fast, Too Slow, Wrong Way, Lie – An LPD officer monitoring traffic on Stafford Street at approximately 1:30 AM recently clocked a motor vehicle at 51 mph in a posted 30 mph zone…..too fast…..Strike #1.   When the officer attempted to stop the motor vehicle, it slowed down dramatically and traveled for a considerable distance at 20 mph…too slow….Strike #2.  After being stopped, the officer questioned the operator of the motor vehicle as to his destination.  The operator indicated a location which was in the opposite direction….wrong way….Strike #3.   The operator, who admitted that he was coming from a local bar and grill, was asked how much he had to drink and replied ….. “Nothing” and then failed the field sobriety test…..Lie!!…..Strike #4…….he was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol.

A Moped License Doesn’t Cut It – An officer on routine patrol recently stopped a motor vehicle on Main Street for speeding.  The vehicle, which was displaying out of state registration plates, was determined to be unregistered and uninsured.   The motor vehicle violations continued to accumulate when the operator could only produce an out of state moped operator’s license and admitted that he did not have a valid license to operate the vehicle. 

He was placed under arrest for operating without a license and other motor vehicle violations…..but that’s not where the story ends.  LPD officers determined that a passenger in the motor vehicle had numerous outstanding warrants in another state that were not “extraditable” meaning that the state holding the warrants was not interested in bringing the passenger back from Massachusetts to face the charges.  Just when you thought this story could not get any stranger, an LPD officer found Sodium Borohydride in the vehicle. 

While not illegal to possess, a quick search of the internet was conducted and the officers learned that Sodium Borohydride is a reducing agent used in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other compounds……..I wonder why these two out of states guys would have this chemical? I bet both you and I could make a good guess.

Out Of Gas But Not Out Of Crack Etc. – An LPD officer, on routine patrol on Stafford Street in Leicester at approximately 1:45, AM came upon a vehicle parked on the side of Stafford Street in violation of the winter parking ban.  When the LPD officer checked on the vehicle he found that it was occupied by a female who claimed that she had run out of gas despite the fact that the vehicle was running when the officer approached it.  In plain view the officer could also see “chore boy” which is a copper mesh that is used as a filter in pipes for smoking crack cocaine. Things went form bad to worse when the officer observed the woman trying to conceal the “chore boy.”  When the officer told the woman he could see her attempting to hide the item, she stated she had no idea what the “chore boy” would be used for and then followed up that statement by telling the officer she was not a drug addict……interesting thought process.  A search of the motor vehicle led to the recovery of two crack pipes containing a small amount of crack cocaine and Suboxone.  The woman has been charged with possession of a Class B controlled substance.

Scam Alert

Tax Day is rapidly approaching.  While April 15th is day that causes some people a great deal of anxiety, it is also a day that scammers use to their advantage.  While most citizens are working to complete the arduous task of getting their taxes done scammers are sending out phony e-mails that appear to have come from the IRS. 

These e-mails are looking for personal information, banking information, or payments to settle delinquent tax payments.  Remember the IRS will not contact you via e-mail, and remember, you should never give out any personal information in response to an unsolicited e-mail.

Mark Your Calendar

Residents should mark their calendars now for the 4th National Prescription Drug Take Back.  The next drug take back will be on Saturday April 28th from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Leicester Recycling Center.   The Leicester Police Department and Leicester Recycling Center are proud to have participated in the previous three drug take backs all of which have been highly successful.

Disclaimer

The opinions set forth in this article are those of Chief James Hurley and do not represent the opinions of the Town of Leicester or other members of the Leicester Police Department.

Thank You

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the residents of the community for their continued support of the police department and also to thank all the men and women of the LPD for the professional and effective work they do in the community.