Reading Public Safety Log: January 5–11, 2026

Compiled from official records by Townbrief | Edited by Dave Watkins

The following is a compilation of incidents and arrests recorded in the Reading Police Department's official public log for the period January 5–11, 2026. All persons listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Domestic violence incidents, sexual assaults, and juvenile matters are excluded per Massachusetts law (G.L. c. 41, section 98F).

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Monday, Jan. 5, 4:20 a.m. — Fire Alarm: A commercial fire alarm box was transmitted at the 600 block of Main Street.

Monday, Jan. 5, 9:46 a.m. — Larceny: A woman came to the station to report a past larceny that occurred in Puerto Rico.

Monday, Jan. 5, 11:32 a.m. — Road Hazard: A large pothole was reported in the roadway on the 60 block of Willow Street.

Monday, Jan. 5, 12:11 p.m. — Larceny: Multiple packages were reported stolen from a residence on the 50 block of Jacob Way.

Monday, Jan. 5, 12:31 p.m. — Shoplifting: A bottle of liquor valued at approximately $900 was taken from Liquor Junction on the 70 block of General Way.

Monday, Jan. 5, 12:34 p.m. — Fraud: A party came to the station to report fraud involving a bank account.

Monday, Jan. 5, 15:31 p.m. — Fire Response: A caller reported an odor of smoke at a residence on the 60 block of Minot Street.

Monday, Jan. 5, 4:53 p.m. — Shoplifting: A store manager reported a shoplifting incident at Golf Galaxy on the 40 block of Walkers Brook Drive.

Monday, Jan. 5, 5:36 p.m. — Road Hazard: Traffic lights were reported struck and turned at the intersection of Main and Salem Streets.

Monday, Jan. 5, 7:09 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Complaint: Vehicles were reported doing donuts in the parking lot at the 50 block of Walkers Brook Drive.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7:00 a.m. — Traffic Control: Train gates were reported down for an extended time at Main and Ash Streets.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7:16 a.m. — Road Closure: Bancroft Avenue at Middlesex Avenue was closed; access was possible.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7:41 a.m. — Road Hazard: A large pothole was reported forming near Joshua Eaton Elementary School on the 300 block of Summer Avenue.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 12:35 p.m. — Lost Property: A child's backpack was found left on the sidewalk near the 80 block of Woburn Street.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1:12 p.m. — Larceny: A woman came to the station to report stolen luggage.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 3:28 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A report was filed of damage to a motor vehicle whose owner was not present; the other party left a note, at the 20 block of Pond Meadow Drive.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 3:46 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A two-vehicle crash with no injuries was reported in the parking lot at the 40 block of Walkers Brook Drive.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 3:53 p.m. — Traffic Control: A train gate was reported down at High and Woburn Streets; a technician responded.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 3:56 p.m. — Suspicious Person: A caller reported a suspicious person wearing a ski mask near Austin Prep on the 100 block of Willow Street.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 5:25 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A two-vehicle crash with no injuries was reported near McDonald's on the 400 block of Main Street.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 5:56 p.m. — Residential Alarm: A burglar alarm was triggered at a residence on the 5 block of Chapel Hill Drive.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 6:45 p.m. — Lost Property: A debit card was found in an ATM at Eastern Bank on the 100 block of Haven Street.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 9:34 p.m. — Robbery: A caller reported being struck by a vehicle and robbed on the 30 block of Zachary Lane.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6:08 a.m. — Road Hazard: Icy road conditions were reported at Main and Charles Streets; no injuries.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:18 a.m. — Road Closure: Bancroft Avenue at Middlesex Avenue was closed; access was possible.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:25 a.m. — Identity Theft: A man came to the station to report identity theft.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:46 a.m. — Road Closure: Forest Street at Spruce Road was closed with no access.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 9:45 a.m. — Water Main: A possible water main break was reported in a basement and street area on the 100 block of Grove Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10:40 a.m. — Extortion: A caller reported being blackmailed, from an address on the 20 block of Cross Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 11:41 a.m. — Motor Vehicle Complaint: A vehicle was reported traveling the wrong direction at Salem Street and the rotary.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2:44 p.m. — Suspicious Person: A caller reported an elderly woman behaving suspiciously in the area of the 10 block of Spring Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 3:30 p.m. — Residential Alarm: A neighbor reported a residential alarm had been sounding all day at a home on the 100 block of Charles Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 5:13 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A two-vehicle crash with no injuries was reported in the parking lot at Planet Fitness on the 200 block of Salem Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 5:22 p.m. — Utility Hazard: Lines and a box were reported fallen from a pole at Pratt and Boyce Streets.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7:03 p.m. — Medical Emergency: An 88-year-old man fell at a residence on the 200 block of Grove Street; injuries unknown.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 5:26 a.m. — Commercial Alarm: A commercial burglar alarm was triggered at Market Basket on the 30 block of General Way.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 7:05 a.m. — Road Closure: Bancroft Avenue at Middlesex Avenue was closed due to a trench across the road; detours were in place.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 10:43 a.m. — Carbon Monoxide: A carbon monoxide detector activation was reported at the 100 block of Woburn Street.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 11:38 a.m. — Parking Complaint: A van was reported parked on the road for approximately one month near Temple and Woburn Streets.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 12:08 p.m. — Road Reopened: Bancroft Avenue was reopened.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 12:53 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A two-vehicle minor crash with no injuries was reported near the 400 block of Main Street.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 5:21 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: Officers came upon a two-vehicle minor crash with no injuries at John and Salem Streets.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 8:44 p.m. — Unwanted Guest: A possibly homeless man was reported camped out in the lobby at the 500 block of Main Street.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 9:47 p.m. — Larceny (Attempt): Patrons left Longhorn Steakhouse on the 30 block of Walkers Brook Drive without paying for food.

Friday, Jan. 9, 5:55 a.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A motor vehicle crash with no injuries was reported at Salem and Main Streets.

Friday, Jan. 9, 11:08 a.m. — Larceny: A man came to the station to report a larceny involving a residence on Elderberry Lane.

Friday, Jan. 9, 11:12 a.m. — Needle Pickup: A syringe was reported in the parking lot at the 500 block of Main Street.

Friday, Jan. 9, 2:58 p.m. — Animal Call: A caller reported individuals chasing and kicking geese at Memorial Park on the 60 block of Salem Street.

Friday, Jan. 9, 3:58 p.m. — Disturbance: Teenagers were reported causing a disturbance inside Jordan's Furniture on the 50 block of Walkers Brook Drive.

Friday, Jan. 9, 5:07 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A two-vehicle crash with no injuries was reported at Salem and Main Streets.

Friday, Jan. 9, 6:17 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Crash: A two-vehicle minor crash with no injuries was reported at Charles and Wakefield Streets.

Friday, Jan. 9, 6:49 p.m. — Disturbance: Youths were reported banging on doors and running away on the 80 block of County Road.

Friday, Jan. 9, 10:37 p.m. — Suspicious Person: A male was reported yelling and appearing intoxicated on the 100 block of Salem Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 4:15 a.m. — Motor Vehicle Disabled: A disabled vehicle was reported blocking the roadway on the 1300 block of Main Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:01 a.m. — Harassment: A male associated with a prior case was reported contacting employees at REI on the 200 block of Salem Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 11:12 a.m. — Fraud: An elderly woman reported being defrauded through a computer scheme, from an address on Abigail Way.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 11:23 a.m. — Larceny: A woman reported items stolen from a locker room at Planet Fitness on the 200 block of Salem Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 1:21 p.m. — Disturbance: A customer was reported causing a disturbance at a Honda dealership on the 80 block of Walkers Brook Drive.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 5:46 p.m. — Harassment: A man came to the station to report threatening text messages; incident logged from the 800 block of Main Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 8:27 p.m. — Disturbance: A possible home invasion was reported on the 10 block of Walnut Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 8:34 p.m. — Carbon Monoxide: A carbon monoxide detector activation with no reported illness was reported on the 500 block of Summer Avenue.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:59 p.m. — Motor Vehicle Complaint: A vehicle was reported driving erratically at Haverhill and Franklin Streets.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:20 p.m. — Utility Hazard: Arching wires on a pole were reported on the 20 block of Green Street.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 11:49 p.m. — Parking Complaint: A black sedan was reported parked on the 100 block of Belmont Street, impeding traffic.

Sunday, Jan. 11, 3:49 p.m. — Suspicious Person: A male was reported yelling and swearing at passersby near Simply Fit & Fun on the 1 block of General Way.

Sunday, Jan. 11, 5:11 p.m. — Disturbance: Three to four youths gained unauthorized access to an apartment lobby at the 30 block of Lincoln Street.

--- Source: Reading Police Department official public log, January 5–11, 2026. G.L. c. 41, section 98F. All incidents are as reported in the official log; Townbrief has not independently verified each entry.

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