Crime & Safety

'First Hug' Backfires; Animals Keep Cops Busy

Our unusual police news column provides a summary of some of the stranger police calls from the region.

“Cat Burglar” removed.

In Dover earlier this month, a caller reported a cat was on her steps and trying to break into her house. An officer removed the cat from the property.

This was his first hug? Really?

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A Shrewsbury father was charged with indecent assault and battery after allegedly groping an 18-year-old teacher aide’s backside while hugging her. The dad told police his son had given the aide a hug, and he followed with one. As it was his “first time hugging a woman,” the man told police, he was not sure if he “would just open his arms wide and move them away, or if how (he) moved them away was the right way.” (It was not.)

Slow and steady wins the race. (And blocks traffic.)

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On a recent afternoon in downtown Acton, police were called because a large turtle was obstructing traffic. Officers removed the turtle out of the road.

And after Animal Control responded, they called the Department of Bird and Family Services to file a complaint of neglect.


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