Residents Curious About Ongoing Search at Buckmaster Pond

Massachusetts State Police and FBI dive crews continued to search the waters of Buckmaster Pond in Westwood for a third day in a row Thursday, as local residents watched from the pond's shores. 

Dennis and Anna Riley, who live nearby on Clapboardtree Street, said they were more than intrigued as to what the teams were looking for.

"It's interesting to see what they're going to pull out," said Dennis Riley, who was tipped off to the events when news helicopters flew over the area on Wednesday. "We didn't even know anything until we saw helicopters around."

Both State Police and the FBI Boston Division have remained tight-lipped about the search, and would not provide details as to what they were looking for or what investigation the search might be linked to.

FBI Special Agent Damon Katz in Boston told Westwood Patch Wednesday that the search was related to a federal investigation, but would not elaborate on the matter.

Dive crews have been at the pond since Tuesday, and unconfirmed reports indicate that the FBI Miami division has sent a dive crew to help in the search.

Meanwhile, news vans, curious residents and children flocked to the area Wednesday, huddling near a particular area of the pond close to Pond Street that leads down to the water, where dive crews and State Police had been working.

As of Thursday noontime, however, State Police roped off that same area, preventing residents or media from trespassing through the scene. 

As such, the best view residents and curious onlookers could obtain was on an opposite shore of the pond.

"Your first reaction is . . . is there a body coming out?" Riley said. "I don't think there is. Small-town Westwood, and you see this."

Added Anna Riley, "This is just interesting. We kind of want to know what's going on."

Norwood resident Glenn Cutler, who grew up in Westwood close to the pond, hadn't heard of the events until he stopped by the area on Thursday for a stroll. 

"I don't have a clue what's going on," Cutler said. "I used to swim down here as a kid."

Likewise, Walt Webb, who lives on Willow Street in Westwood, stood on the banks of the pond with binoculars in hand to get a better look.

Webb declined to comment, but said that he drove by the pond Wednesday and saw a line of news vans and State Police vehicles, which aroused his interest. 

Westwood Patch will provide more information on the search at Buckmaster Pond as it becomes available.