Billerica – On Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at approximately 10:45 AM, the Billerica Police received a call from an observant resident who reported a potential burglary taking place at 9 Belmont Road, Billerica. The reporting party described seeing a suspicious vehicle enter the driveway and then pull away, shortly after which they observed four individuals attempting to force entry into the home. Officers were immediately dispatched to the area to investigate, arriving within minutes of the call. While arriving on scene, Officers were updated that the four suspects had entered the residence but that two had just fled out of the front door and were headed away from the residence on foot. These two suspects were detained by arriving Officers as additional police units arrived on scene to check the residence. Officers then observed two additional suspects fleeing towards the woods from the rear of the residence. After failing to comply with orders from the Officers to stop, a foot pursuit ensued continuing into a wooded area and across a small water creek where the two suspects were apprehended without incident.
It was subsequently determined that the suspects had forced entry into the home and stolen property, including electronics and a loaded firearm that was legally licensed to a resident living at the residence. With the assistance of Billerica K9 Officer Magliozzi and his partner Skye, the firearm was quickly located, concealed within a snowbank in close proximity to the apprehended fleeing suspects. As a result of the above incident, two adults and two juveniles were arrested and returned to the Billerica Police Department for processing. The four individuals are being held in custody on high cash bail and will be arraigned tomorrow, December 24, 2020 at the Lowell Justice Center in both the District and Juvenile Courts. The two adults arrested are identified as Vonte Harris, 26, of Strafford, CT and Michael Metcalf, 31, of Bridgeport, CT. Both are charged with multiple offenses including Breaking and Entry in the Daytime with Intent to Commit a Felony as well as numerous weapons charges. The two juveniles are also being charged with Breaking and Entry in the Daytime with Intent to Commit a Felony. Their identities are not being released due to their ages, however, both also live out of state. It is believed this was a random day-time burglary that was thwarted thanks to an observant resident who took the time to report suspicious activity.
**All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Any additional questions should be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost, 978-215-9653.
