Press Release

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Steven Derr, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Agency-Boston Field Division, announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office has commenced a civil forfeiture proceeding against a Tewksbury, Massachusetts property used to facilitate the trafficking and distribution of illegal narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The United States alleges that 434 Main Street (operated as the Motel Caswell) has been used to facilitate that distribution of illegal narcotics in the Tewksbury area since at least 2001. Investigations into drug activity at the property over the past eight years have included a number of controlled and undercover purchases of illegal narcotics (including heroin and cocaine) at 434 Main Street, as well as the investigation of a methamphetamine laboratory being run from one of the rooms at 434 Main Street. These investigations led to the execution of three search warrants, the seizure of drugs and drug distribution and drug manufacturing paraphernalia, and the arrests of various residents of the property.

“This forfeiture action stems from the unprecedented coordination by both federal and local law enforcement to take significant steps toward protecting our communities from the trafficking and distribution of illegal narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz.

“Businesses used to facilitate drug trafficking are a blight in our communities. These drug dens hurt our citizen’s quality of life and will not be allowed to operate in our neighborhoods. Working with the Tewksbury Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office we were able to seize the Motel Caswell” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Derr. 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tewksbury Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonya A. Rao of Ortiz’s Civil Division.

Posted 11/16/2009 at 10:33AM

Press Release

   On November 6, 2009 at approximately 10:26AM the Wilmington Police Department broadcasted a ‘wanted alert’ for a dark colored Ford Taurus with New Hampshire plates,  suspected of committing a house break in Wilmington.  Officer Nicosia while on patrol observed a vehicle matching the broadcasted description turn on to Tanglewood Ave with two occupants in the vehicle.  Officer Nicosia notified Dispatch that he observed a vehicle matching the description and attempted to stop the vehicle on Tanglewood Ave.  Officer Nicosia then observed one of the suspects fleeing and detained this individual until other units arrived. 

Shortly there-after Billerica Police and Wilmington Police arrived on scene to assist with investigation.  Sgt. Cooke and Sgt. Tim Kelly (K-9) directed the search for the second suspect.  As the K-9 units from Tewksbury, Billerica, and Wilmington were tracking this individual, Detective Farnum (Who was on a Paid Detail) observed this suspect running down Chandler Street.  The K-9 units then tracked this individual to Boisvert Road in Tewksbury where he was apprehended by police.

 Tewksbury Police Department will be charging both suspects with following offenses;

 Roger Rodrigue;

Failure to stop for a Police Officer Chapter 90 section 25/D

Receiving Stolen Property over $250  Chapter 266 Sect 60

 Anthony  Cappello;

Receiving Stolen Property over $250  Chapter 266 Sect 60

 Wilmington Police continues to investigate this incident. 

Posted 11/06/2009 at 2:10PM

TRAFFIC ALERT: I-495 LOWELL BRIDGE BUNDLE PROJECT LANE SHIFTS, RAMP CLOSURE 

Cross-Over Lanes, Temporary Closure of Northbound Exit Ramp

Lowell, MA – Temporary traffic lane shifts and closure of the northbound exit ramp at the Woburn Street interchange in Lowell begin Saturday, November 7, 2009 as part of the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle project.  The changes should be fully implemented by Monday, November 9 assuming favorable weather conditions and will remain in place for approximately seven months.  The MassDOT Highway Division recommends drivers allow extra time for trips through the work zone. 

Temporary cross-over lanes beginning south of the Concord River Bridge and ending north of the I-495 Woburn Street interchange in Lowell will shift traffic from the northbound high speed lane across the median and continuing north along a former southbound lane before shifting back.  A concrete barrier will separate traffic traveling in opposing directions.  An overview of the cross-over lane shift is available on the project website:

http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/laneshift.html.   

The I-495 northbound ramp at the Woburn Street interchange, exit #37 will be closed.  Drivers will be detoured to the Route 38 interchange, exit #38, cross under I-495 and return to the Woburn Street interchange using I-495 southbound.  Traffic signals at the Route 38 interchange have been adjusted and a temporary traffic signal added at Woburn Street to handle additional detoured traffic.   Temporary signs and Variable Message (VMS) Signs will alert drivers to the changes and detour route.  

Large trucks will be prohibited from using the temporary traffic lanes except during specific, nighttime construction when all northbound traffic is directed into the temporary lanes.

For an overview diagram of the detour, please visit http://495bridgebundle.mhd.state.ma.us/detour1.html.

The replacement of the six bridges in the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle is taking place under the Patrick Administration’s historic Accelerated Bridge Program, an eight year, $3 Billion plan to repair structurally deficient bridges throughout the state.  The lane shifts and ramp closure will allow the project team to launch the first major phase of bridge work.  For more information about the I-495 Lowell Bridge Bundle project, visit http://mass.gov/mhd/495lowellbridgebundle.  

For transportation news and updates visit the EOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow EOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot. 

Posted 11/04/2009 at 8:44AM

Bank Robbery

On Monday, October 19, 2009, at approximately 10:45am, members of the Tewksbury Police Department responded to a reported bank robbery that occurred at the Lowell 5 Bank located at 10 Main Street.

A call came in from the Lowell 5 reporting a bank robbery in progress at 10 Main Street. The suspect, a white male approximately 25-30 years old with brown hair, wearing a black sweatshirt, gray pants and carrying a black brief case, left the building on foot towards Clark Road. If anyone has any information, please contact the Tewksbury Police Department (978) 851-7373  x239 or x225 or email at tewksburypd@tewksbury-ma.gov

Posted 10/19/2009 at 1:30PM

Overnight Parking - Snow & Ice Removal

Town By-Law:  8.24.010

1. It shall be unlawful for any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency to be parked on any street from 12:00 (Midnight) to 6:00 A.M. This shall take effect on November 1^st of each year and end on March 31^st. (A fine of $25.00 will be imposed for a violation of this section).

2. It shall be unlawful for any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to be parked on any street, day or night, when it is snowing or when icy conditions exist. (A fine of $25.00 will be imposed for a violation of this section)

3. Any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, parked, day or night, on any street in the Town, so as to interfere with the work if removing or plowing snow, removing ice, or sanding the street, may be removed or towed away, at the sole expense of the registered owner of said vehicle, under the authority and direction of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works to a public garage or any convenient place. The Superintendent of the Department of Public Works shall within a reasonable time, notify the Chief of Police of the removal of any such vehicle and of the place to which it has been removed, and the Chief of Police shall give like notice to the registered owner of the vehicle. Vehicles so towed away shall be stored in a safe place and restored to the registered owner thereof upon proper identification and full payment, to the Town or to the Keeper of the place of storage, for the expenses incurred in such removal and storage.

Inquiries, about vehicles so towed away, shall be made at the Police Station. (Art. 48, ATM 1991)

Posted 9/18/2009 at 8:20AM

ATM Armed Robbery

On 08/14/2009 at 1715 hours, an armed robbery occurred at the Bank of America ATM, which is located at 1899 Main Street, Tewksbury. Three victims reported that they were inside the Bank of America ATM making a withdrawal when an unknown white male suspect came up to the ATM door and entered. While inside, the suspect brandished a black handgun that he had on his waste band. The suspect demanded the cash they had just withdrawn and told them to take out more cash. The victims described the suspect as a white male, 18-25 years old(5’6” to 5’9”) with a thin build.  The suspect was wearing a Red Sox baseball cap (backwards), a dark colored tee-shirt with a gray Nike logo in the center, white shorts with black stripe (possible Nike logo), and Nike sneakers.

Members of the Tewksbury Criminal Bureau are seeking an identification of the suspect.  Please contact Detective Brian O’Neill (978-851-7373, Extension #254) and/or Detective Sergeant Tom Casey (978-851-7373, Extension #225) with any pertinent information.

Updated 8/21/2009 at 1:32PM

Tewksbury Police Department Encourage Safe Driving this Summer

The Tewksbury Police Department will partner with the Massachusetts State Police and hundreds of other local police departments to conduct extra traffic enforcement focused on arresting impaired drivers as part of a Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. Mobilization August 14, 2009 through September 7, 2009.  State and local police will conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout the mobilization.  The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has provided $700,000 in federal grant funding for this initiative for both enforcement and a public education campaign.

In an effort to keep Massachusetts roadways safer during this summer season, the Tewksbury Police Department offers these six travel tips:

·         Drive sober and well-rested.

·         Obey speed limits and allow extra time for unexpected traffic and weather conditions.

·         If celebration plans involve alcoholic beverages, designate a sober driver before heading out or plan to use public transportation, take a taxi (program a cab company’s phone number into your cell), or sleep over at the event location.

·         Never accept a ride with an impaired driver.

·         Report impaired drivers by dialing 911.

·         Make sure everyone is properly buckled up – it’s the best defense against a drunk, speeding or aggressive driver.

Additionally, those hosting holiday celebrations are urged to consider having ample non-alcoholic drinks available, do not serve alcohol to anyone under age 21, and prevent impaired guests from getting behind the wheel. More information is available at www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.

On average each week 300 people are arrested for impaired driving in Massachusetts.  A first-time conviction for drunk driving in Massachusetts can cost more than $7,800, plus the significant expenses involved with insurance surcharges and attorney services.

Updated 8/19/2009 at 1:29PM

Armed Robbery

 At approximately 3:35 am on March 22^nd, the Tewksbury Police Department was summonsed to the Tedeschi Food Shops (2280 Main St.), for a reported armed robbery that had just occurred.  Upon arrival, Officers spoke to the store clerk, who stated that at approximately 3:30 am a white male, 5'11” with a medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt (with the hood pulled up and over his head), blue jeans, work boots, and a red bandana masking his face entered the store and went directly behind the counter.  The store clerk stated that the suspect then brandished a knife and said this is a robbery.  He then told the store clerk to empty the safe and the cash register into a plastic bag that he was carrying. The store clerk did so and the suspect ran out of the store towards the Trahan School.

          Tewksbury Officers then set up a perimeter and called for Detectives and a K-9 Unit. The K-9 Unit and Officers searched the area around the Trahan School and the abutting neighborhoods but were unable to locate the suspect. Surveillance footage confirmed the description of the suspect and the direction he traveled after leaving the business. The Tewksbury Police Department Detective Division processed the scene and is conducting an investigation into the events of the evening. Detectives are following up with other local Departments (Chelmsford, Groton, and Cambridge) who have had similar robberies within a few days of this robbery. Anyone with information regarding the robbery and/or the suspect revealed in the surveillance photos provided should contact the Tewksbury Police Department immediately @ (978)-851-7373. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.   

Updated 3/31/2009 at 12:01PM

Press Release

On Sunday, January 25, 2009, at approximately 4:00pm, members of the Tewksbury Police Department responded to a reported armed robbery that occurred at the Fairfield Inn located at 1695 Andover Street.

First responding patrol officers, Sergeant Perry and Officer Hollis found two females victims bound in room #205. The adult female victims reported an unknown male subject knocked on their door. Upon opening the door, the suspect entered the room brandishing a firearm.  He tied up the victims, and demanded their money and personal belongings. The females were then sexually assaulted before the suspect fled. A witness gave a vehicle description which was crucial to the investigation.

Members of the Tewksbury Criminal Bureau, Detective Sergeant Casey, Detective O’Neill, and Detective Farnum, arrived at the crime scene and conducted the investigation. During the preliminary investigation it was ascertained this was not a random crime.  The victims, who advertised services on Craigslist.com, were targeted by the suspect.

The information received from the armed robbery/sexual assault was disseminated through a law enforcement intelligence networking system       (Lt. Neville, Wilmington Police Department). This department received information from the Burlington Police Department and the Cambridge Police Department that had similar crimes at hotels in their respective jurisdictions within the past forty-eight hours. The reported suspect description and vehicle description was consistent.

Detectives in each jurisdiction conducted a joint investigation with the assistance of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. Evidence from the crimes indicated the possible suspect was in the City of Framingham.

On January 30, 2009, detectives set up surveillance at the suspect’s residence. The suspect, later identified as Reinaldo Prado DOB: 05/18/1981, was observed entering the reported vehicle seen at the crimes. Prado was placed under arrest without incident.

At this time Reinaldo Prado has been arraigned at Woburn District Court on applicable charges. Prado will appear at Lowell District Court and arraigned for the following offenses committed in the Town of Tewksbury:

Armed Robbery (two counts)

Rape       (two counts)

Kidnapping (two counts)

Intimidation of a Witness (two counts)

Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon

Posted 2/4/2009 at 9:11AM

Water Meter Installers

The DPW has subcontracted the installation of water meters to the Easton Winwater Works Co. The individuals pictured below will be working in Town and going house to house to install water meters. Work starts on 10-15-2008 and the duration of the project is 3 years. DPW Project Manager Nina Nazarian (978)640-4440 x252

Posted 10/17/2008 at 6:00AM

Tewksbury Police Department Receives Child Passenger Safety Equipment Grant

The Tewksbury Police Department has received a $10,000.00 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to expand its child passenger safety efforts.  The EOPSS awarded 67 of these grants totaling $660,773 to Massachusetts communities and organizations with a public purpose to reduce motor vehicle fatalities and injuries involving children.  

Nationwide traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14.  The grants will be used primarily to purchase child safety seats for distribution to parents and caregivers in need.

 "With this grant, the Tewksbury Police Department can better serve parents and caregivers who want to protect their children from death or injury by properly securing them in a safety belt, booster seat, or child safety seat," said Tewksbury Police Department.  "We can also keep reminding adults that they must set a good example for kids by obeying the Massachusetts safety belt law and always buckling up themselves."

In April 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed Senate Bill 2018, dubbed the Booster Seat Bill, into law.  This law will go into effect on July 10, 2008.  This enhancement of the Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law requires that all children riding in passenger motor vehicles must be in a federally approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or over 57” tall.   Once a child has outgrown their child seat they need to use a booster seat until they are 8 years old or over 57” tall.  Children 12 and under are safest when properly restrained in the back seat, ideally away from airbags.

The Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law is a primary enforcement law.  With minor exceptions, a police officer may stop a motor vehicle if a child is riding improperly restrained.  A driver will be fined up to $25.00 for each improperly restrained child.

The Tewksbury Police Department wants to remind the public that the Massachusetts Safety Belt Law requires everyone to buckle up.  Adults need to set a good example for children, because 70% of youngsters whose parents don't use safety belts will not buckle up when they grow up.  A 2007 EOPSS survey found only a 69% safety belt use rate among front seat occupants of all ages in Massachusetts – far lower than the national use rate of 82%.  This low use rate is a serious public safety and health issue given that safety belts reduce one’s risk of death or serious injury in a crash by up to 50%.

If you need more information on how to obtain or properly install child passenger restraints call the Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Hotline at 1-877-392-5956, TTY 1-617-725-0261, or go to www.mass.gov/childsafetyseats.

Posted 07/27/2008 at 6:00AM

Legal Update

Police Officer Stop and Frisk

Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968),” was a decision by the United States Supreme Court which held that the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures was not violated when a police officer stopped a suspect on the street and searched him without probable cause to arrest.”

“The Court held that police may briefly detain a person if they have reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime.  Because of the important interest in protecting the safety of police officers, police may perform a quick surface search of the person’s outer clothing for weapons if they have reasonable suspicion that the person stopped is armed.  This reasonable suspicion must be based on “specific and articulable facts and not merely on an officer’s hunch.  This permitted police action has been referred to as a “stop and frisk,” or a Terry Stop.”

Terry Stops or investigative detentions allow officers to temporarily seize individuals based on the reasonable suspicion standard, which is not as strict as probable cause. 

A Terry Stop has two components:  the stop and then the frisk.  When an officer conducts a Terry Stop, he/she must have reasonable suspicion that a crime or criminal activity has, is, or is about to be committed... The officer must also be able to articulate his reasonable suspicion with specific facts...  When an officer conducts a Terry Stop and feels that the individual possesses a weapon, a pat down may be conducted of the individual’s outer clothing.  This pat down has to be articulated that it was done for the officer’s personal safety or the safety of others in the area. 

Terry Stops must be temporary and the questioning has to be limited to the purpose of the stop.  If an officer has stopped an individual who was suspected of stealing a vehicle and then confirms that the vehicle was not in fact stolen, he cannot force the individual to answer questions about anything else. 

Posted 05/27/2008 at 6:00AM

Bicycle Helmets

  The Tewksbury Police Department has been awarded 50 bicycle helmets for the children of the town to promote bicycle safety.  Effective June 11, 2007, these helmets will be available and in the cruisers to be distributed at no cost, to those children observed by a Police Officer who do not have a bike helmet. If the Officer does not have a bike helmet to fit the child, the child can have their parents contact Training Officer Brian Warren at the Police Department.  He can be reached at 978-851-7373 X238.

There are only 50 bike helmets and we will continue distributing them until such time there are no bike helmets available.

Chief's Message

The Tewksbury Police Department is committed to provide for the safety and security of our community through the judicious enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Constitution of the United States of America. We are dedicated to provide these services with the highest degree of professionalism, honesty, integrity, and character as humanly possible. Every member of our organization shall be devoted to provide the highest quality of public service with respect, honor, fairness, pride, compassion, and courage. We are committed to treating the public with respect, dignity and fairness and to serve as role models in both our public and private lives by adhering to the highest standards of ethical and moral principles and conduct. We are dedicated to the principles of honesty and truthfulness and will strive to do the right thing, the right way, at all times.

Road Closings