CONTENT WARNING: This article contains mentions of sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual misconduct, help is available 24/7 via the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

On July 24, 1980, Norwood Police Chief James Curran issued an urgent public safety warning instructing parents to keep children away from wooded areas near town playgrounds.

The advisory followed a violent attack on a 15-year-old girl and verbal threats directed at two others in the woods adjacent to the Winslow School Playground on Friday afternoon.

According to police reports, an assailant described as standing approximately six feet tall with a good build, freckles covering his chest, and wearing a makeshift maroon ski mask confronted the girls near the playground’s stone wall brandishing a screwdriver. He forced the victims into the woods, where he compelled two to lie on the ground and forced the third to perform sexual acts.

The victims delayed reporting the harrowing incident to their parents until Sunday because the attacker explicitly threatened to “get them” if they spoke out. Four Norwood detectives are actively leading the ongoing investigation. Chief James Curran urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals loitering near parks or wooded trails.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

More Norwood Crime Stories

State Traffic Engineers Investigate Missing Stop Sign Reports in Norwood-August 31, 1966

Local frustration over municipal traffic safety measures came to a head when town officials addressed long-standing delays regarding state approval for stop signs at key intersections. Commenting on the sluggish bureaucratic pace, one local selectman dryly remarked, “It takes an act of God to post a stop sign!” The exasperation stemmed from a nine-month delay…
Police Probing New Attempt On Life Of ‘Punchy’ McLaughlin-August 18, 1965

This Day In Norwood History-August 18, 1965-Police Probing New Attempt On Life Of ‘Punchy’ McLaughlin
Two Norwood Patrolmen Bitten In Struggle With Youthful Break Suspect-July 29, 1965

This Day In Norwood History-July 28, 1965-Two Norwood Patrolmen Bitten In Struggle With Youthful Break Suspect
Murdered Norwood Woman Found With Stocking Around Neck-April 13, 1964

Mystery Cloaks Woman’s Death NORWOOD A 62-year-old woman was found dead in her bed this morning, a nylon stocking wrapped around her neck. Police said the fully clad body of Mrs. Goldie Fine was discovered about 8 a.m. in her home at 16 Lewis av., South Norwood. Medical Examiner Dr, Joseph King performed an autopsy…
Bank Bandit Sought In Six State Alarm-October 10, 1963

A six-state alarm for the lone gunman who on Tuesday afternoon held up the Norwood Office of the Bay State Federal Savings & Loan Association of $2360, and dropped another $310 in his haste to make his getaway, has been broadcaste by the local police as they and agents of the Boston office of the…
Car Found in Norwood Connected to Boston Stangler Case-This Day in Norwood History-August 27, 1962

This Day in Norwood History- August 27, 1962-Car Found in Norwood Connected to Boston Stangler Case
Protests, Problems Follow Norwood’s Beach Bomb Hoax-July 15, 1957

The sweltering summer heat that enveloped New Pond Beach on July 15, 1957, was only matched by the sense of unease and panic that gripped its patrons. The tranquil atmosphere of this private beach facility, nestled on the Norwood side of the pond, was shattered when a telephone call to Ann Reardon, an attendant at…
Bomb Scare Routs 2000- July 15, 1957

Bathers at New Pond In Norwood Evacuated Telephone Tip Leads to Battery Under Building A warning that a bomb was in the sands at the beach of New Pond caused the evacuation of 2000 bathers and picnickers from the area at 4 p.m. today. A corroded battery, similar to the type used in portable radios,…
Attorney Files Petition For New Trial in Local Murder-October 6, 1955

Attorney Files Petition For New Trial in Local Murder-This Day In Norwood History-October 6, 1955
Makarewicz Guilty In Slaying of Geraldine Annese-This Day in Norwood History-March 18, 1955

Sentenced to Life on Jury’s Request Peter William Makarewicz, 16, was convicted at 6:02 last night of first-degree murder for the Nov. 4 strangling of vivacious Geraldine Annese, 15, who lived only a stone’s throw from his Norwood home. The gangling, handsome defendant was whisked from Dedham to Charlestown State Prison early last night to…