ATM Skimming

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

What is ATM skimming?  ATM skimming is a type of fraud which occurs when an ATM machine is compromised with a device that reads your debit/credit card information and is accompanied by a small camera or an overlay that is used to record the user entering their PIN number.

ATM skimming is a large problem both domestically and internationally.  Skimmers have been found not only in Billerica but also surrounding towns over the last year.  Unsuspecting victims often notice random charges on their statements or they are alerted by their banks of an unauthorized transaction.

What can someone do to protect themselves?

  • Cover your PIN with your hand.
  • Use ATM’s located at bank branches and avoid kiosks, stores and restaurants. ATM’s located at bank branch are often subject to more frequent inspections by bank employees.
  • Check your balances and set up alerts to send an email or text message when a withdrawal is made.
  • Take a good look at the ATM and make sure the card slot is legitimate and not tacked on.  Some skimming devices are cheaper looking than others and it’s not always easy to spot them.

For more information on skimmers and what to look for, please visit Krebs on Security HERE.

How-ATM-skimming-works

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National Night Out – August 4th 6-9 PM

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

National_Night_OutThe Town of Billerica Police department will be hosting its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday August 4, 2015 from 6-9 pm.  The Town would like to invite everyone to come join us in the Billerica Town Common.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;  (2) Generate support for, and participation in local anti-crime efforts;  (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and  (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

This is a great opportunity to meet members of the Billerica Police, Paramedics, Firefighters, and DPW and get up close and see their emergency vehicles.  Magician Matias will be entertaining you this evening, sponsored by Lynnway Auto Auction of Billerica.  He is a proven, professional magician that has been awarded 2012-2013-2014 Best New York comedy magician.  Check his website out at www.magicianmatias.com   The Billerica Recreation department is featuring the 4EVER FAB, Beatles tribute band for the Concerts on the Common series.  The Billerica Public Library will be hosting their Annual Ice Cream Social.  U.S. Army National Guard Unit 211th Military Police Battalion will have Military vehicles for viewing.  The Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department will have their Bear-Cat available for viewing and photo opportunities. The Billerica Council on Aging will be providing FREE popcorn for the evening.  Billerica and Local Police K-9 handlers will be conducting demonstrations.  The Billerica Police Honor Guard “GRILL TEAM” will be selling Hamburgers and hot dogs to help raise money for new equipment.

Any questions or interested sponsors please contact Lt. Commander Troy Opland or Lt. Greg Katz at 978-667-1212.

Join over 4,000 residents from Billerica on Nextdoor.com.   Nextdoor is a free, private social network for your neighborhood. Nextdoor makes it easy to communicate with your neighbors about the issues that matter most in your community. Over 64,000 neighborhoods across the country are using Nextdoor to:

  • Share recommendations about local services and businesses (e.g. babysitters, plumbers, dentists)
    • Organize neighborhood events (e.g. National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, HOA meetings)
    • Report suspicious activities, help prevent crime and receive updates from city officials
    • Create groups to connect with parents, pet owners and other neighborhood groups
    • Get to know your fellow neighbors

Billerica Police Arrest Man after Violent Assault on Police Officer

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

Police_fbBillerica– On Sunday, July 19, 2015, at approximately 10:30 PM, Officers were dispatched to 10 Argonne Road for a reported disturbance involving two adult males.  Upon arrival at the split ranch style residence, officers determined that there were multiple occupants inside the home.   As one officer began his initial investigation by speaking to the reporting party in the downstairs portion of the residence, a second officer stood on the landing just inside the front door of the home. At that time an adult white male resident of the home, later identified as Daniel Zammuto, 25, and described as being 6 feet tall and approximately 190 pounds, suddenly ran down from upstairs at the officer while violently swinging a glass bottle at his head.  The officer, Sergeant John Harring, was struck at least one time on top of his head with the bottle, causing a serious contusion and laceration.  As Mr. Zammuto attempted additional strikes at Sergeant Harring, Officer Patrick O’Brien intervened to stop the attack.  In the process of stopping the attack by Mr. Zammuto, Officer O’Brien deployed his department issued Taser upon Mr. Zammuto.  Mr. Zammuto was subsequently immobilized and handcuffed.  He was transported back to the Billerica Police Department where he was booked on charges of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault with Intent to Murder or Maim.  He will be arraigned on July 20, 2015 in Lowell District Court.  Sergeant Harring was transported from the scene by ambulance to Lahey Hospital in Burlington where he was treated for what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

For additional information please contact the Middlesex DA Press Office at 781-897-8325

Andover Rd Incident

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

middlesex-district-attorney-sealFor Immediate Release July 4, 2015
Contact: Press Office
781-897-8325

WOBURN – Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Billerica Police Chief Daniel Rosa have announced that Nicholas Bomboy, 17, of Billerica, died this afternoon after being shot and injured more than a week ago while at his home on Andover Road.

On Friday, June 26, at approximately 11:35 a.m., first responders went to a house at Andover Road and found several individuals present including the victim. The victim was transported to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington where he succumbed to injuries today just after 1 p.m.

At the scene of the shooting, investigators recovered several air soft guns and one high powered pellet gun.

This incident continues to be an open and active investigation by the Billerica Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office.

This shooting is not considered a random act and the public is not in danger.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Steve Loughlin

# # #

June 26, 2015 at 6:09:49 PM Update – Statement from Deputy Chief Frost, “This appears to have been an incident which occurred among a group of juvenile friends using BB guns and a pellet gun. The victim sustained a life threatening injury and is in critical condition at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.”

“Our thoughts are with the victim and his family in hopes he will have a full recovery.”

–Deputy Police Chief Roy Frost

June 26, 2015 at 2:13:49 PM Update – Statement from Alexandra Zaroulis, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office “This continues to be a very active investigation, however, at this point we are satisfied this is not a random act, and the public is not in danger.  We are not releasing any further details at this point.”

Jun 26, 2015 at 12:50 PM  –Officers are investigating an incident at the 300 block of Andover Rd.  Currently, one person has been transported to an area hospital with a reported gunshot wound.  The circumstances of the incident are still being investigated and an official press release will be forthcoming.  At this time there is no threat to the area in question.

News reporters should report to Andover Rd at Brookside Dr for staging.  A public information officer will be at the scene.  Please do not call the Police Department for information.

staging

Alcohol Compliance Checks

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

The Billerica Police Department is planning to conduct random, undercover alcohol-compliance checks at establishments around town in the next few weeks. The time and locations of the checks will not be announced in advance.  These checks are used to emphasize the need to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.

Forensic Evidence Closes House Burglary Case Three Years Later

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

Billerica – On the evening of the Fourth of July 2012, Billerica Police responded to the report of a residential burglary at #21 Liberty Drive in West Billerica. The residents, who had just returned from a day of Independence Day festivities, found that their home had been ransacked. Officers responding to the scene discovered that the suspect(s) used a pry bar to force entry through a side door, after which they entered the home’s bedrooms stealing jewelry and electronics. Detectives responded and processed the scene where they managed to develop and lift multiple latent fingerprints inside the home and at the point of entry. Although there were no initial suspects identified in the crime, the latent fingerprints were submitted to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, which manages the state Automated Fingerprint Indexing System (AFIS), which electronically catalogs all known fingerprints obtained from state and local arrests in Massachusetts, as well as allowing access to the national fingerprint database. The results of that search determined that the suspect’s fingerprints located at the residence belonged to Stephen G. Peterson, 24 of Billerica. Peterson, who is currently serving a sentence at the Billerica House of Correction on an unrelated conviction, will be charged in Lowell District for the following felonies:

  • Malicious Destruction of Property
  • Break and Entry Day Time
  • Larceny from a Building

It is important to note that above charges are merely accusations and all individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Any additional questions should be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost, 978-215-9653.