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 – 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.
Child Falls from Second Story Porch
Billerica – On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at approximately 10:00 AM, Billerica Police received an emergency 911 call from #96 Rogers Street, North Billerica reporting that a small child had fallen from a second story porch. Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Personnel from Billerica were dispatched to the scene arriving within two minutes. On arrival at the scene, Officers found a young toddler aged child being attended to by its mother. The child was conscious at the time of arrival and subsequently turned over to Billerica Paramedics. It was then determined the child had fallen approximately eighteen feet from a small wooden landing that accesses the second floor to a barn at the rear of the property. Out of an abundance of caution, Paramedics requested a medical helicopter to transport the child directly to Tufts Floating Hospital for Children in Boston.
An investigation into the incident by Billerica Police has ruled this to be an accident.
Any additional questions should be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost, 978-667-1212 x151
Crosswalk & School Bus Safety
Man arrested in Home Invasion
Billerica – As previously reported, the Billerica Police responded to the report of a Home Invasion occurring in the River Pines Section of Billerica, specifically Maplewood Ave. Upon arrival at the scene, officers met with an adult male victim who reported having confronted an unknown male subject inside his home holding a knife and demanding his wallet. The suspect was described as “tall and slender”, wearing dark pants along with a gray hooded sweatshirt and a mask. The suspect fled prior to police arrival, resulting in an extensive search with the assistance of numerous law enforcement resources. Due to the time of the incident, which occurred at approximately 12:22 PM, and the close proximity to the Dutile Elementary School, a decision was made have the students shelter-in-place until a controlled dismissal of the student could occur.
While following up on leads from an earlier Maplewood Ave residential burglary, which had occurred sometime over past few days, officers identified a suspect from 31 Maplewood Ave, identified as Jonathan Aquino, 26 years old. As a result of that investigation, coupled with information gathered at the scene of today’s home invasion, charges have now been filed against Jonathan Aquino for Home Invasion as well as Receiving Stolen Property. Police believe Mr. Aquino was acting alone and there are no additional suspects at large. Jonathan Aquino is being held at the Billerica Police Department and will be arraigned on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in Lowell District Court. Special thanks to the Chelmsford, Burlington and Wilmington Police K9 teams as well as the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing Unit for their assistance today.
Any additional questions should be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost, 978-215-9653 or by email at rfrost [@] billericapolice.org
Billerica Police Alert Residents about Reported Home Invasion
BILLERICA — Police Chief Daniel Rosa is alerting residents that the Billerica Police Department is looking for a man allegedly involved in a home invasion this afternoon.
Billerica Police received a 911 call at 12:22 p.m. from a Maplewood Avenue resident reporting the break-in at his home. The resident described the suspect as a tall, slender man wearing dark pants, a gray hooded sweatshirt and a mask. He was also reported as being armed with a knife.
The suspect immediately fled the residence after realizing that the homeowner was home. Officers responded to the area and established a perimeter. The Chelmsford, Burlington and Wilmington police departments’ K-9 units arrived to comb the neighborhood while the State Police Air Wing searched overhead.
The Dutile Elementary School implemented a shelter in place order during the incident, and school buses were briefly delayed from leaving the area until police completed the search.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation, and we are aggressively searching for this suspect,” Chief Rosa said. “We will continue investigating this matter and searching for the suspect, but anyone with information is encouraged to call Billerica Police immediately.”
Residents with any information about the suspect should contact the Billerica Police Department at 978-667-1212.