Tewksbury Police Department

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.

Tewksbury Police Department Slams Another Door in the War Against Drug Distribution.

           On Friday, March 7, 2008, at approximately 8pm, Tewksbury Police Detectives arrested Kevin Lutz for Possession of Class B (Cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute (Chapter 94C S32A).  While conducting surveillance at one of Tewksbury’s local motels, Detective Sergeant Tom Casey and Detective Patrick Harrington observed what they believed to be a drug transaction.  Shortly thereafter, the Detectives stopped both motor vehicles.  A search was conducted and an undisclosed amount of money and cocaine were seized from the vehicles.  Kevin Lutz was immediately placed under arrest and the other individual involved in the transaction was charged and released.   Mr. Lutz was additionally charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Narcotics Drug Laws, and Controlled Substance Violations in a School Zone (Chapter 94C S 40, Chapter 94C S32J).   

          Anyone interested in providing the Police Department with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to call the Tewksbury Police Department immediately.  Those reporting illegal drug activities, who wish to remain anonymous, should call the Drug Hotline at 978- 851-0175. 

From:  Lt John S. Voto

Date:   March 10, 2008

 Dandi-Lyons Robbery Solved by the Tewksbury Police Department

            The Tewksbury Police Department Detective Division requested warrants (which were issued by Lowell District Court) for Michael Reed (age 29) and Christina Morando (age 20) in connection with a recent armed robbery.  These two individuals stand accused of committing the armed robbery that occurred at Dandi-Lyons, on January 5, 2008, at approximately 6:30 P.M..  Police allege that Ms. Morando went to several businesses on Route 38 that day, including Dandi-Lyons, asking for employment applications and several questions that would reveal vulnerability to her accomplice, Michael Reed, for a subsequent robbery of the business.  After ascertaining information about the vulnerability of Dandi-Lyons, Ms. Morando relayed it to Mr. Reed who shortly thereafter, while completely disguised and armed with a knife, conducted the robbery.    

             A short time after the robbery, Tewksbury Detectives were notified by Chelmsford and Woburn Detectives about recent similar incidents in their jurisdictions.  A cooperative investigation revealed the identities of the above named suspects.   The Tewksbury Police Department will be charging both of these suspects with Armed Robbery While Masked (Chapter 265 section 17).   

            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. 

Press Release

Press Release by Lieutenant John S. Voto

Date:  October 6, 2007

ANONYMOUS DRUG TIP HOTLINE 978-851-0175

Drug Deal Gone Bad.

  On October 1, 2007, around 7pm, Tewksbury Police Detectives conducted an undercover surveillance operation at a local hotel.  After conducting a brief surveillance, the Detectives attempted to stop a vehicle which they believed to be involved in a drug transaction.  This vehicle failed to stop for the detectives, and crashed into a picket fence at the corner of Rogers and Main Street.  The suspect (Miguel Martinez 25 years old, from Lowell) exited the vehicle and ran into the woods to evade capture.  The Tewksbury Police K-9 Officer (Sergeant Kelly) and his K-9 (Ali) were immediately summoned to the scene. After several minutes, Ali was able to find the suspect hiding in the woods.  The suspect was immediately arrested and taken to Saints Memorial for evaluation.  After being evaluated, Mr. Martinez was transported back to the station were he was booked and advised of his rights.  After searching Mr. Martinez and his vehicle, approximately 2 grams of Cocaine (Class B Substance) and a large amount of cash were seized by Tewksbury Detectives.  This suspect was charged with the Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (Cocaine), Failure to stop for a police officer, Resisting Arrest, and numerous other motor vehicle violations.   The Tewksbury Police Department continues the fight to keep drugs off our streets. 

One Arrested in Latest Sting in Tewksbury

  Around 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 19, Detectives from Tewksbury, Lowell, and Billerica were conducting surveillance in an undisclosed area.  After days of surveillance, the Detectives from these Departments were able to apprehend Roberto Medina Padilla for conducting several narcotics transactions.  Mr. Padilla (age 29, from Lawrence) was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B (Cocaine) Substance, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, and Furnishing a False name during arrest.  Mr. Padilla was held without bail and arraigned at Lowell District Court this morning at 9am.  Detectives recovered approximately 12 grams of cocaine and undisclosed amount of moneys from this arrest. 

Lowell 5 Bank Robbery

   On Friday, September 7, 2007, Tewksbury Police received a alarm from Lowell 5 Bank located at Stadium Plaza in Tewksbury.  After getting the alarm, dispatch called the bank to confirm that a white male had just passed a note saying, “this is a robbery and demanding all of the cashier’s money”.  The Branch manager stated that he had left the scene in a yellow cab parked in the front of the store, with all of the money. 

   After getting a general description of the suspect, Officer McLeod stopped a Yellow cab coming from that vicinity of the town.  She was able to ascertain that the cab driver had dropped the suspect at the Burger King in front of Home Depot on Main Street.  At this time, Officer McLeod notified the other officers of the suspect’s last location.  It was later determined that the suspect was heading to the Motel 6.  

  Officers and Detectives began to search the hotel.  After approximately one hour, they came to a room where the occupants believed that the suspect was taking a shower in their room.  Officers then asked the suspect to come out of the bathroom.  The suspect refused to come out, and after approximately 15 minutes of negotiation he exited the bathroom.  He was immediately arrested by Detective Gonzalez and Officer Hanley.  Detectives searched the room with permission from the owners and found several pieces of evidence linking the suspect ( Gary Keith Record DOB 9/25/64) to the robbery.  The suspect will be arraigned at Lowell District Court on Monday September 10, 2007. 

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.

Drug Arrest

  Tewksbury Police Detectives, working from an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen, arrested two suspects on Thursday August 2, 2007, for drug offenses. After the tip was received, Detectives set up surveillance and were able to affect the arrest of two suspects engaged in drug transactions on Ruskin Road. 

John J. Sullivan (age 44, from 22 Ruskin Road, Tewksbury) was charged with the following offenses: 

Chapter 94c/s40 Conspiracy to violate the Drug Laws (2 Counts), Chapter 94c/s32a Possession with the intent to distribute a Class B (cocaine) substance (2 Counts), Chapter 94c/s32j Drug violation near a school zone (2 Counts)

Jose Delacruz (age 37, 124 S. Broadway Street, Lawrence) was charged with the following offenses:

Chapter 94c/s40 Conspiracy to violate the Drug Laws (2 Counts), Chapter 94c/s32a Possession with the intent to distribute a Class B (cocaine) substance (2 Counts), Chapter 94c/s32j Drug Violation near a school zone (2 Counts), Chapter 90/s10 Unlicensed operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Chapter 268/s32b Resisting arrest

The Tewksbury Police Department would like to thank the concerned citizens of our community once again and encourage them to continue reporting all drug and suspicious activity.  Tips like this one help shield the Community from the growing drug epidemic.  If you wish to remain anonymous please call our drug tip hotline at 978-851-0175.  

  Armed Robbery at Revere Tanning Salon

  On Saturday, July 21, 2007, at approximately 12:30pm, Revere Tanning Salon (1555 Main Street) was robbed by a white male suspect. This suspect displayed a firearm (black pistol) and demanded all of the money in the register. He then took all of the money and exited the Salon. The Tewksbury Police were called and arrived on scene within minutes. After reviewing the video from the Tanning Salon, Detectives immediately identified similarities between the suspect displayed and the suspect in both the recent Wilmington and North Reading armed robberies. Video footage, from the Wilmington and Tewksbury robberies, was immediately provided to Fox News, in an attempt to gain assistance in identifying the suspect, and Fox News aired the video that evening. The following day an anonymous phone call was made to North Reading Detectives which provided a strong lead to the identity of the suspect. Working with this lead, Tewksbury Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Joseph Giaquinto, age 28, who has a last known address of 420 Great Road, Acton. Shortly thereafter, Detectives acquired an arrest warrant for the suspect, Mr. Joseph Giaquinto, for Armed Robbery and Threatening to Commit a Crime.  Surrounding communities were notified of Mr. Giaquinto’s warrant and to be on the lookout for the vehicle he was driving. At approximately 11am, on Monday, July 23, 2007, a Billerica Detective (Andrew Devito), working an outside paid detail, observed the suspect vehicle. Detective Devito then called it in to Dispatch and the Patrol Division was able to stop this vehicle.  Mr. Giaquinto was then taken into custody by the Billerica Police Department.  Billerica Detectives were able to locate the firearm used in the Revere Tanning Salon robbery at another undisclosed location.  The suspect was held without bail and arraigned in court today. Charges are forthcoming from the Wilmington and North Reading Police Departments. The Police Department would like to thank the public and the media for helping us identify this individual.  

Armed Robbery at Hobart's

  In a cooperative effort, the Tewksbury and Wilmington Police Departments apprehended the suspect who robbed Hobart’s Country Store (located at 2514 Main Street) on July 15, 2007. The suspect, Michael Gallella (27 years old), traveled to the store on his bicycle, and waited until all of the customers had left. The suspect then went into the store with a steak knife, and demanded all of the money. The suspect grabbed stacks of lottery tickets, cigarettes, and approximately $1500 in cash and told the clerk not to call the police. The suspect then fled the area on his bicycle. An alert witness who followed the suspect into a Wilmington neighborhood called the police and identified the last location she observed the suspect. Tewksbury Officers then tracked the bicycle to a Wilmington residence where they were able to identify the suspect. The suspect was apprehended a short time later by Wilmington Officers with the cash and lottery tickets that had been taken from Hobart’s.

 This suspect was charged with Armed Robbery (Chapter 265 Section 17) and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon to wit a steak knife (Chapter 265 sect 15a).The Tewksbury Police Department commends the actions of the alert witness who helped bring this suspect to justice.

$300,000 Dollars worth of Ecstasy taken off the Streets of Tewksbury

   On July 2, 2007 at approximately 9:30 pm, Detective Sergeant Casey conducted a motor vehicle stop at an undisclosed location.  Detective Sergeant Casey, assisted by Officer Arthur Piccolo, conducted a motor vehicle stop, which 8 ½ pounds (approx 4 kilos) of Ecstasy was discovered and seized.  Sophanna Ngeth (age 19 years old), Jackson Seth (age 20), and Sirphan Keomany (age 29) were all arrested immediately and charge with Possession of a Class B substance (Ecstasy) with the intent to distribute and Conspiracy to Violate the Narcotic Law.  The street value of this seizure is approximately $300,000 dollars.  The three individuals arrested were held with out bail until Tuesday Morning.  Tewksbury Police continue to battle the drug epidemic in our community.     
 

Armed Robbery 04/30/2007

If you have any information about the armed robbery at the Citizens Bank, Please contact the Tewksbury Police Department

 (978) 851-7373

At approximately 12:30 PM a white male entered the Bank approached a teller and displayed a note indicating that he had a gun and a bomb and wanted all of the money. The note as well as a verbal utterance from the suspect indicated that he did not want the teller to add any die packs in with the money. The suspect placed the money inside of a dark colored sack attached to his shoulder and left the Bank on foot. Two good Samaritans pursued the suspect onto the RR tracks in front of the Bank under Main Street and up onto Old Main Street. Witness accounts provided the information that the suspect jumped into a brown/tan colored late model Buick LaSabre (no plate # indicated) which contained two other individuals. The vehicle then proceeded out onto Main Street heading north toward Lowell. The suspect fled with an undetermined amount of cash. The suspect is described as follows:

White Male

5’ 10” - 6’ tall

25-30 Years Old

Medium Build

Brown Hair

Brown Eyes

Sideburns

Red Baseball Cap with American Flag Displayed

Glasses

Dark Colored Sweatshirt

Jeans

Dark Colored Knapsack or Backpack

If you have any information about the armed robbery at the Citizens Bank, Please contact the Tewksbury Police Department 

(978) 851-7373

Emergency Dial 911 / Non Emergency (978) 851-7373 / Fax (978) 851-8237

Updated 8/27/2008