Shoplifter Slips A Tackle, Thief Steals From Washing Machine

A shoplifter with the skills of a running back managed to slip away from Home Depot security, Sunday evening.

Around 6:30 p.m., received a call from l reporting that they had tackled a man trying to steal a drill. However, the man managed to elude their grasp and ran out of the store.

A short time later, a woman called 911 and reported that she saw the suspect A sergeant then spoke to a witness who said they saw the suspect get into a green Stratus or Neon and flee the scene. The witness was unable to provide a license plate number.

Thief adds to his haul, quarter-by-quarter (Dec. 18)

Around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, a clerk from the called police to report a man who had been stealing large amounts of change from the washer and dryer machines.

The clerk told police that the man was not a guest, but somehow had a key to the machines. The clerk had seen the man near the machines and asked if he needed change and then saw a large number of coins around his feet.

The clerk told police that the man fled the scene in a small red car and headed toward Route 133.

More vehicle break-ins reported (Dec, 18)

Police received three calls from residents on Sunday reporting vehicle break-ins overnight. The locations hit were on Dewey Street, North Billerica Street and Virginia Road. The three addresses are within a half-mile of each other.

Additional incidents

On Friday, Dec. 16, around 5 p.m., a worker from Tri-City Mental Health, 1 Pond View Lane, called police and reported that someone had managed to break into a locked medicine cabinet and stole all of the medications inside.

On Friday, Dec. 16, a resident of Trull Road called police to report that a home had been broken into at some point during the day.

Arrests

Sean D. Crowley, 22 20 Garden Ave., Wilmington, was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 17 and charged with OUI-liquor, speeding, marked lanes violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for a police officer.

Daniela M. Ortega, 22, 48 6th St. Apt. 2, Lowell, was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 17 on two warrants, She was also charged with operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration and driving after her license had been revoked.

For questions about this blotter, email williamg@patch.com