stoneham

Stoneham Police Warn Residents of Area Home Improvement Scams

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Stoneham Police Department
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Stoneham Police Warn Residents of Area Home Improvement Scams

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre and the Stoneham Police Department wish to warn residents of an area home improvement scam.

Victims of the home improvement scam have reported to several area police departments that the suspects request payment for their services upfront, and perform a small portion of the work before claiming that additional work to the home needs to be done, such as repointing a chimney or replacing shingles. The individuals continue to raise the price of their services as they claim additional projects need to be done, and when the homeowner eventually refuses to pay any more money, the suspects leave the property and do not return.

The suspects pose as legitimate contractors and reportedly have an Irish accent, but are allegedly not licensed and do not obtain permits to conduct the work.

Four Burlington residents reported being victimized by home improvement scams, and suspects allegedly did damage to the chimney of a Melrose resident’s home that will cost more than $1,200 to repair.

Most victims of the scams are elderly.

“While we haven’t had any reports of these suspects approaching Stoneham residents, we want to be proactive and warn our community of this scam that has targeted individuals in several nearby towns,” Chief McIntyre said. “We’re urging residents to be wary of anyone approaching you at home to perform unsolicited home improvement services. Always verify a business is legitimate, especially before paying for a service, and call the Stoneham Police Department if you think you may be dealing with a scam.”

The Stoneham Police Department wishes to share the following tips regarding home improvement contractor scams from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation:

  • Scammers often approach potential victims for home improvement scams by phone, email or by traveling door-to-door, and may claim they’ve been performing work locally and have surplus material.
  • Scammers frequently offer their services at a very low price.
  • Check to make sure the contractor is registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by using their home improvement contractor registration look up service. Request a business card or website address for the contractor’s business.
  • Be wary if the individual is driving an unmarked motor vehicle.
  • Request a copy of the company’s standard contract.
  • Learn where the company is based out of, whether they are a local business and verify a minimum of three references.
  • Inquire about whether the company will provide a warranty and how long that warranty will last.
  • Remain wary if a severe weather event has just occurred. Scammers often take severe weather storms as an opportunity to target potential victims for home improvement scams.
  • Never pay more than one-third the total cost of a service upfront, in cash, and only do so once you have verified that this person is a registered home improvement contractor and you have a contract.
  • The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can verify whether the company is a member, and the BBB, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, can also tell you if there have been complaints filed against the company.

Anyone who believes these suspects are in their neighborhood is encouraged to contact the Stoneham Police Department at 781-438-1215.

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*Photos* Stoneham Police Seeking Armed Robbery Suspect

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Stoneham Police Department
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 14, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

*Photos* Stoneham Police Seeking Armed Robbery Suspect

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre reports that the Stoneham Police Department is actively investigating an armed robbery that occurred this afternoon.

At approximately 12:23 p.m., police responded to the GameStop located in the Redstone Shopping Center at 69 Main St. for a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, police learned that a male entered the store and walked to the register where he allegedly demanded money from the store clerk. A small knife was allegedly shown.

The unknown male left the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. He fled on foot east toward the adjacent Five Guys and then north toward Dunkin’ Donuts and the area of Westwood Ave. and Governor Rd.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described as male, wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, white sneakers, an old man’s mask and black gloves.

The Stoneham Police Department is actively investigating this incident, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Stoneham Police at 781-438-1215.

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Stoneham Police Investigating Hit and Run That Injured Four Children

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Stoneham Police Department
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Stoneham Police Investigating Hit and Run That Injured Four Children

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre reports that the Stoneham Police Department is investigating a hit and run crash that injured four children this evening.

At approximately 6:38 p.m., Stoneham Police received multiple 911 calls about a hit and run accident that involved several children who were struck by a dark-colored vehicle near the intersection of Elm St. and MacArthur Rd.

The initial on-scene investigation found that a dark-colored Subaru Legacy was traveling westbound on Elm St. and struck four children that were standing with their bikes in front of a residence at the corner of MacArthur Rd. The vehicle then struck a parked vehicle in the driveway. Witnesses reported that the suspect vehicle backed out of the driveway and fled the scene while one of the children’s bicycles was lodged underneath the fleeing vehicle.

All four juveniles were treated on-scene by Action EMS and two were transported by ambulance from the scene to a local hospital with minor injuries. All four children were 12 or 13 years of age.

The intersection was closed off while police investigated.

Anyone with information on the suspect vehicle or driver is encouraged to call the department at 781-438-1215.

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Stoneham Fire Department Extinguishes Two-Alarm Residential Fire

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For Immediate Release

Saturday, Oct. 12 , 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Stoneham Fire Department Extinguishes Two-Alarm Residential Fire

One Resident Rescued from Roof Overhang by Responding Stoneham Police Officers

STONEHAM — Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Police Chief James McIntyre report that the Stoneham Fire and Police Departments responded to a two-alarm fire at a home this afternoon.

At approximately 12:25 p.m., Stoneham Group 4 firefighters were dispatched to 16 Flint Ave. for reports of a fire at a single-family residence. Stoneham Engines 2 and 3 and Ladder 1 arrived on-scene and located fire coming from the kitchen on the home’s first floor and smoke coming from all windows.

Before firefighters arrived, a female resident had climbed out of a second floor window and onto the roof overhang. Responding officers from Stoneham Police instructed her to jump from the overhang and she was caught by Officers Stephen Aprile and John Burton. The female resident was the only person in the home at the time of the fire.

A second alarm was struck upon arrival. Crews from the Woburn, Melrose, Wakefield, Winchester and Reading fire departments assisted at the scene. Saugus, Medford and Malden firefighters responded to provide station coverage. Chief Grafton would also like to thank Stoneham’s Department of Public Works and Action Ambulance for their assistance on scene.

Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the house. However, the house sustained heavy damage due to smoke and water. The damages are estimated to be approximately $150,000-200,000.

The family of six who resides in the house was displaced and is being assisted by family and friends in the area.

One dog was rescued from the home and was taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. No firefighters were injured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Department, Stoneham Police Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. Saturday.

“Today marks the last day of Fire Prevention Week and the theme for this year covered how important it is for people to have an escape plan to get out of their home,” Chief Grafton said. “The resident who was at home at the time of today’s fire is an excellent example of someone who knew to find an available escape route and got herself safely out of the house as quickly as possible.”

Click here for videos from the scene.

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