The suspect in the video is believed to be involved in the theft of lottery tickets from the Billerica Shell station located at 760 Boston Road. The theft occurred on May 17, 2017 at approximately 10 PM. We are looking to identify the male in the video. Anyone who knows the identity of this man can call the Billerica Police Department at 978-671-0900 or leave an anonymous tip HERE.
Billerica Police Department Receives State Technology Grant
The Billerica Police Department has been awarded a $40,000 grant through the Community Compact Cabinet’s (CCC) Information Technology grant program. The competition for the $2 million of available funds was intense and included 90 applications from 125 municipalities applying for grants totaling close to $8 million. Kristen Lepore, Secretary of Administration and Finance, stated that Billerica’s application was chosen “because it clearly met the overarching goal of driving innovation and transformation at
the local level via investments in technology”.
The grant award will be used to develop an interface to share data between the Billerica Police Department’s record system and systems of the Executive Office of Public Safety and the Massachusetts Court System. This includes data from electronic citation, crash and criminal complaints entered into their respective state systems. This award will allow the Billerica Police Department to utilize state provided software at no cost while still being able to integrate the data into the local records system.
It’s National Police Week
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We honor the memory of our fallen officers. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Patrolman Cassius White
End of Watch: Sunday, August 23, 1936
Patrolman Cassius White was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting two state troopers who had stopped another car on Boston Road, near Billerica Center. A vehicle traveling in the wrong direction in the left lane struck Patrolman White and one of the troopers. Patrolman White suffered fatal injuries and died a few minutes later. The driver of the vehicle was charged with manslaughter. Patrolman White had served with the Billerica Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sisters.
Patrolman Kenneth Collins
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 7, 1969
Patrolman Kenneth Collins suffered fatal head injuries after responding to a fight at a local bar. Patrolman Collins had served with the Billerica Police Department for 10 years.
Patrolman Thomas Strunk
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 27, 1985
Patrolman Thomas Strunk was killed when he was dragged by a drunk driver while he attempted to turn off the ignition of the vehicle. He was off duty and driving with his family in Billerica when he observed a vehicle behind him being driven in an erratic fashion. Suspecting the driver was drunk, Patrolman Strunk exited his vehicle when traffic stopped and identified himself as a police officer. He asked the driver to turn the vehicle off, and when he refused, Patrolman Strunk reached inside to turn it off. As he did so the operator sped off, dragging Patrolman Strunk approximately one quarter mile before slamming into a utility pole. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. He was sentenced to 14 years but served only seven years. Patrolman Strunk had served with the agency for two years and was posthumously awarded the George L. Hanna Award for Bravery. He was survived by his wife and three sons, one of whom also served as a police officer in the Billerica Police Department.
Fifth Victim in Lynnway Auto Auction Crash Dies
BILLERICA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Billerica Chief of Police Daniel Rosa have confirmed that a fifth person, Ruben Espaillat, 55 of Methuen, died today at Lahey Hospital following injuries sustained during the May 3 crash at the Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Billerica Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police CARS unit.
Billerica Police to Participate in Click It or Ticket Campaign
The Billerica Police Department will participate in the national Click it or Ticket campaign next week to promote seat belt use through increased enforcement and education.
Through federal highway safety grant funding, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division has been successfully implementing the annual “Click It or Ticket” initiative since 2002. Over the past 12 years, Click It or Ticket initiatives have helped increase safety belt usage in Massachusetts from 51% in 2002 to 77% in 2014. During the same period, fatalities involving non-restrained (belted) vehicle occupants dropped significantly from 57% of crash fatalities to 28%.
Billerica is one of approximately 200 local police departments in Massachusetts, along with the Massachusetts State Police, to participate in the high-visibility mobilization.
Massachusetts law requires all occupants to be properly restrained by safety belts when riding in a private passenger motor vehicle, including vans and trucks.
Fatal Crash at Lynnway Auto Auction – Updated
Press Release: Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Billerica Police Investigating Fatal Crash at Lynnway Auto Auction
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Billerica Chief of Police Daniel Rosa have confirmed that three people have died, six remain hospitalized and three individuals were transported to area hospitals, treated and released, as a result of a collision that occurred today at Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica.
At approximately 10:13 a.m. today, a 2006 Jeep SUV driven by an employee of Lynnway Auto Auction, a male in his 70’s, accelerated through the cinder block wall of the business striking multiple individuals. The incident occurred during a weekly Auto Auction. Two individuals, an adult male and an adult female, were pronounced dead on scene. Another adult female was transported to an area hospital where she later died from her injuries. One of the surviving victims is believed to have injuries that are considered life threatening.
The preliminary investigation into this matter suggests that this was not an intentional act. This incident is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Billerica Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police CARS unit.
Update May 4, 2017
Victims Identified in Fatal Crash at Lynnway Auto Auction
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Billerica Chief of Police Daniel Rosa have released the identities of the three people killed in yesterday’s fatal collision that occurred at Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica.
Brenda Lopez, 48, of Rhode Island, and Pantaleon Santos, 49, of Rhode Island, were pronounced dead at the scene. Leezandra Aponte, 36, of Lowell, was transported to Lahey Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Eight individuals were transported to area hospitals, treated and released:
33-year-old male
35-year-old male
38-year-old female
40-year-old male
50-year-old male
51-year-old male
51-year-old male
55-year-old male
A 55-year-old male remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
At approximately 10:13 a.m. yesterday, a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by an employee of Lynnway Auto Auction, a male in his 70’s, accelerated through the cinder block wall of the business striking multiple individuals. The incident occurred during a weekly auto auction.