Billerica Police | MA

LOWELL – A Peabody man was arrested today on charges in connection with the July 7 murder of Quintin Koehler, 22, of Billerica, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Peter Bin, 25, of Peabody was arrested today in Lynn on charges of murder, attempted armed robbery, home invasion, and possession of a firearm. He will be arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court.

Two other men have also been charged in the home invasion murder of Quintin Koehler. Jason Estabrook, 28, of Lynn, was arrested on charges of murder, home invasion, and attempted armed robbery. Gabriel Arias, 20, of Lynn, was arrested on charges of misleading a criminal proceeding.

Estabrook and Arias were arraigned September 27 in Lowell District Court. Lowell District Court Judge Thomas Brennan ordered Estabrook held without bail. Judge Brennan ordered Arias held on $20,000 cash bail. Arias was also held on a probation warrant from a case out of Lynn.

Estabrook’s next court date is November 26 for a probable cause hearing. Arias’ next court date is November 27 for compliance hearing. .

“We allege that Bin, in a joint venture with others, including Estabrook, intended to rob the victim during a home invasion where, during a struggle, the victim was shot in the head,” District Attorney Leone said. “This is a disturbing case of drugs fueling an act of gun violence. We intend to hold these men accountable for their actions that took the life of another person.”

According to authorities, on July 7 at approximately 3:55 a.m. Billerica Police responded to 795 Boston Road for a report of a shooting. Officers discovered the victim, Quintin Koehler, evidencing a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Lahey Clinic where he was pronounced dead. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death to be homicide.

It is alleged that Estabrook, Bin and others broke into the victim’s home in the morning of July 7 with intent to rob the victim. Authorities believe the home was targeted because the defendants believed marijuana and money would be present at the home. The victim and a witness heard the defendant and others in the home and discovered Estabrook, Bin and the other intruders in the kitchen where an assault ensued. It is alleged that the gunshots were fired, hitting the victim in the head. The suspects then fled the scene.

Authorities allege that Arias misled investigators during the investigation by providing false information to the police.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by Billerica Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Bin was arrested in Lynn by the Lynn Police with the assistance of the State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Billerica Police, and the Peabody Police.

The Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case is Cara Krysil. The Victim Witness Advocate is Kathleen Keefe.

Billerica – Over the past few weeks the Billerica Police have received repeated reports of various forms of phone and computer scams. Some of these scams involve unsolicited phone calls from individuals claiming to be government officials, usually overseas, calling on behalf of a family member that was allegedly placed into custody and needed financial assistance. Most of these calls are targeted at elderly residents where the caller identifies, by name, a grandchild that was reportedly arrested. The caller directs the target to quickly respond to a local Western Union facility and wire money to a location on their “grandchild’s behalf”. The money is allegedly needed for the child to be released from custody. Other scams involve mass emails being sent out to entire contact lists of various targets alleging that the individual was either arrested or had all of their belonging stolen and they need temporary financial help to get back to the United States. Again, as in all of these various forms of scams, the perpetrator attempts to get the target to act quickly and to use some type of wire money transfer service to send cash overseas.

Please use extreme caution anytime you receive an unsolicited contact and are asked to send money over a wire service. Feel free to contact your financial institution or your local police department for advice and consultation before taking any action.

Any additional questions should be directed to Lieutenant Roy Frost, 978-667-1212 x120

Billerica – On Friday, October 19, 2012, at approximately 8:13 PM, Billerica Police responded to a reported motor vehicle crash at #13 Pines Road, Billerica. The caller reported that a vehicle had impacted with the home and the operator was currently attempting to drive the involved vehicle away from the scene. Officer Paul Brady arrived and began an investigation. It was determined that Judith Bernoth, 51, of Billerica, had been operating a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup truck down Pines Road while under the influence of alcohol. Her vehicle struck a parked car on the side of the road in front of #11 Pines Road and continued on striking the side of #13 Pines Road. Damage to the residence appeared to consist of broken siding and trim. There were no injuries reported involving either the operator, Bernoth, or anyone within the home at #13 Pines Road. Bernoth was ultimately charged with Operating under the Influence of Alcohol. She is being arraigned in Lowell District Court on October 22, 2012.

Any additional questions should be directed to Lieutenant Roy Frost, 978-667-1212 x12