Cops on lookout for alleged shoplifter
DEDHAM- Police are looking for a man in his 30s wearing a red zip-up jacket and baseball cap who allegedly stole merchandise from CVS Pharmacy on Eastern Avenue.
Store employees chased the man toward the rear of the neighboring police station after they say he put an $89 CD player under his coat and ran out of the store around 4:30 p.m. Monday, police said.
By the time the employees called police the man was gone, police said.
Motorist may have used counterfeit money
DEDHAM - A Walpole man arrested at noon Sunday on a warrant for motor vehicle charges is being investigated for possibly using counterfeit currency, police said.
Ivam S. Torres, 54, of 12 Fischer St. tried to purchase a laptop computer at the Best Buy at 700 Providence Highway using six $100 bills that the store clerk suspected were fake, said police spokesman Lt. Robert Nedder.
Police turned the money over to the US Secret Service, which will determine whether it is counterfeit, Nedder said.
Torres was arrested on a warrant for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, lights violation, equipment violation, not having a registration in his possession, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Self-immolation stopped
DEDHAM - Police arrested a Dedham man at 6:14 p.m. Friday after responding to a domestic violence call and finding the man had lit himself on fire, police said.
George Harshell Jr., 39, of 321 East St., was charged with attempted arson of a dwelling house and domestic assault and battery.
When police responded to the call, they smelled lighter fluid and were told that Harshell had closed himself in a bedroom, police spokesman Lt. Robert Nedder said.
After firefighters arrived, police opened the bedroom door and found Harshell "engulfed in flames," according to police reports. Firefighters sprayed Harshell with a fire extinguisher as he ran toward officers, Nedder said.
Harshell was taken to Caritas Norwood Hospital with first- and second- degree burns and was released Saturday. One officer had blisters on his fingers from being sprayed with the extinguisher, Nedder said.
