Parked Couple Flee Masked Bandits At Willett Pond-This Day in Norwood History-June 14, 1946

Shot Shatters Windshield Of Car As Driver Ignores Gunman’s Order

A frightening early‑morning encounter at Willett Pond sent a young couple racing to safety yesterday after two masked men attempted to rob them at gunpoint. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. at the beachhead area, a location long known as a gathering spot for parked cars.

According to police, the male victim, a serviceman who had previously lived in Norwood, was seated in a parked vehicle with his female companion when two masked individuals approached. One of the men carried a revolver. The armed bandit ordered the serviceman to step out of the car, but instead of complying, the driver threw the vehicle into reverse and sped away from the scene. As the car retreated, one of the assailants fired a shot that pierced the windshield, narrowly missing both occupants. The young woman suffered cuts from flying glass.

The couple drove directly to the Norwood Police Station, where they reported the attempted holdup. Sgt. Thomas McNulty and Officer George Sanborn immediately searched the Willett Pond area but were unable to locate the suspects.

The victims were unable to provide a detailed description of the assailants, but they told police that the gunman appeared to be of medium‑slight build, stood about 5 feet 11 inches tall, and had brown curly hair. He was described as wearing a light brown suit coat. Both men were believed to be young, and neither wore a hat.

Chief Thomas C. Lydon, along with Sgt. Mark Folan and Officer Sanborn, continued the investigation throughout the morning. As of noon, no new developments had been reported. Police withheld the names of the couple pending further inquiry.

Authorities noted that the Willett Pond area has long been a popular location for parked cars, and similar robberies and attempted robberies have occurred there in the past. Some of these incidents, police said, were never officially reported because victims feared “the disclosure of their identity.”

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