Billerica Police Department Announces Vigil for Sergeant Ian Taylor

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost and the Billerica Police Department are providing information about a vigil this weekend to honor the life of Sergeant Ian Taylor.

The vigil will be held on Sunday, April 28, in the courtyard of Billerica Memorial High School, located at 35 River St., from 6-7:30 p.m.

The vigil is open to the public and anyone wishing to celebrate the life of Sgt. Taylor is welcome to attend. Parking will be available at the high school.

Memorial service arrangements for Sgt. Taylor are still being made and details will be provided as they become available.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – 4/27/24

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

On Saturday, 27 April 2024, the Billerica Police Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On this day, police departments around the country provide an opportunity for citizens to safely dispose of unwanted and unneeded prescription medications. Medications are disposed with “no questions asked”, however we cannot accept sharps nor liquid medications. The take back site will be located at the Billerica Police Department, 6 Good Street, between the hours of 10AM and 2PM. For citizens who are unable to drop-off on Saturday, the Billerica Police Department offers a disposal kiosk, available 24 hours a day, in the lobby of the police station.

Residents can obtain further information from the website DEATakeBack.com

Billerica Police Charge Woman with Animal Cruelty

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department is charging a woman with animal cruelty.

AMANDA CIANCIULLI, AGE 36, OF CENTERVILLE, is being charged with:

  • Animal Cruelty (Two Counts)

On Monday, April 15, Billerica Police were notified of allegations of animal cruelty against CIANCIULLI, and were made aware of videos that captured CIANCIULLI allegedly abusing a dog that was in her custody at a home in Billerica earlier this year.

The police investigation determined that Cianciulli used a shock collar in a manner and purpose so as to torture a dog while it was secured in a cage, and that CIANCIULLI struck a dog with an object seven times while holding it down.

CIANCIULLI agreed to let Billerica Police Animal Control take possession of her four dogs so they could be examined by a veterinarian, and they remain in a veterinarian’s care.

CIANCIULLI was subsequently charged with two counts of animal cruelty. She was arrested Friday and is being held at the Billerica Police station.

CIANCIULLI will be arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court.

 These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Billerica Police and Local Bank Branch Manager Interrupt and Foil Fraud Attempt

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that Billerica Police, with assistance from an alert local bank branch manager, were able to interrupt a fraud attempt before a local resident lost thousands of dollars.

On Tuesday, April 9, Billerica Police were contacted by a branch manager from TD Bank’s branch at 499 Boston Road about a possible instance of fraud in progress.

Officers responded to learn that a 75-year-old woman had withdrawn $7,000 earlier in the day and returned to the bank to withdraw even more. Police learned that the woman received a call from an unknown person saying she had won $220,000 in a contest, but that she needed to pay taxes first.

The woman was instructed to purchase gift cards and provide activation numbers over the phone, then told to deposit $7,000 into a bank account that did not belong to her.

Billerica Police determined this was a fraud attempt, and then worked with TD Bank management to put a hold on the deposit. Detectives also were able to regain money spent on the gift cards.

As a result of the actions of the bank manager and Billerica Police, it appears the woman will lose no money in the end.

Billerica Police continue to investigate and are working to identify those involved.

“This was a very close call in which a woman nearly lost thousands of dollars to a scam attempt. I’d like to thank and praise the branch manager and TD Bank for their attention to this matter, which enabled our detectives to intervene in time to save the resident’s money with assistance from the bank,” said Chief Frost. “As always, we encourage anyone who believes they may be facing a scam or fraud attempt to contact Billerica Police at 978-671-0900.”

Billerica Police Promote Four to Rank of Sergeant

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

From left, Sergeants Stephen Cogswell, Andrew Devito, Cory Bandouveres, and Gilbert Ynostroza are sworn in as Billerica Police Department sergeants.

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department promoted four officers to the rank of sergeant on Friday.

“I’m pleased to see four highly qualified officers earn the promotion to supervisory positions,” said Chief Frost. “I look forward to seeing where these careers will go and how these sergeants will serve their fellow officers and the community of Billerica.”

Sgt. Stephen Cogswell

Sgt. Cogswell is a 23-year veteran of the department, having served the majority of his career assigned to the Patrol Division. He has served on the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team as a trained operator responding to high-risk situations. He also served on the Billerica Police Department Honor Guard, Mountain Bike Patrol, and Dirt Bike/ATV Patrol. He has served as a Field Training Officer, Firearms and Taser instructor, and is a certified EMT. Sgt. Cogswell is veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and also holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell.

Sgt. Andrew Devito

Sgt. Devito is a 28-year veteran of the department. During his career, Sgt. Devito has served in the Criminal Bureau and Patrol Division. For the past two years, he has been working as a provisional sergeant, where he currently serves as head of records and scheduling. Sgt. Devito is highly respected throughout the region due to his extensive experience as a Detective. He brings valuable experience and mentoring to all of those lucky enough to work with him. Sgt. Devito holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England University.

Sgt. Gilbert Ynostroza

Sgt. Ynostroza is a 10-year veteran of the department. Sgt. Ynostroza has served the past two years of his career as a Detective. In that capacity, he has developed extensive skills and experience working complex criminal investigations that will greatly benefit those working under him. Prior to that, Sgt. Ynostroza was assigned to Patrol, where he also served as a Field Training Officer, and Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor. He has also been committed to developing community engagement opportunities for police officers to develop positive relationships with community members. This has included programs with the Billerica Boys and Girls Club, including Friday Night Hoops, Dodge Ball, and Mentoring programs. Sgt. Ynostroza holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Worcester State University.

Sgt. Cory Bandouveres

Sgt. Bandouveres is a nine-year veteran of the department. Sgt. Bandouveres has served in the Patrol Division, where he has also excelled as a Field Training Officer, Firearm, and Taser and Defensive Tactics Instructor. Sgt. Bandouveres has also been a member of the Adopt-a-School program, where he engages with elementary-aged school kids to build positive relationships with police. He brings a bright smile to every interaction and has served to promote wellness and fitness to all those he works amongst. Sgt. Bandouveres is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell.

Billerica Police stand together after four officers were promoted to sergeant on Friday. From left are Sgt. Rocco Magliozzzi, Lt. John Zarro. Lt. Commander Ronald Balboni, Town Manager John Curran, Sgt. Stephen Cogswell, Sgt. Andrew Devito, Sgt. Cory Bandouveres, Sgt. Gilbert Ynostroza, Chief Roy Frost, Deputy Chief Glen Magnan, and Lt. Commander Greg Katz.