Billerica Police | MA

Since the Billerica Police Department jumped into social media in the last year we’ve been providing a constant flow of information to our residents. Much of the information we distribute includes crimes like residential and commercial breaks, larcenies and vandalisms. Residents that keep connected with BPD on Twitter, Facebook or crimereports.com are more aware of criminal activity in their neighborhoods than ever before. Is there a negative to all of this information? We think there is and it has to do with the public perception of crime. If you don’t hear about crime, is it occurring? When you do hear about it, does that mean the crime rate is increasing? When the questions are framed this way most people know the answers.

We found a great piece from Scott Dickson, a crime analyst in central Texas that hits squarely on this issue. It’s a good read for those that may not be familiar with crime statistics and how they relate to public perception of crime. You can read it at Scott’s blog here.

As a reminder, we keep crime statistics on our website here for those that like to keep up with the raw numbers. As we finalize the statistics we update the page to reflect them.

Billerica – On Monday, June 11, 2012, at approximately 4:30PM, Billerica Police were dispatched to Cumberland Farms, #301 Boston Road, Billerica following an Emergency 911 call reporting that a male had run into the store yelling for help while claiming that he was being shot at. It was reported that the male party was bleeding from his hand.

On arrival at the scene, officers learned from the victim that he had been kidnapped at gunpoint while in Haverhill, MA and was driven to Billerica by two armed suspects. The victim stated that the suspects were attempting to force the victim into providing them with money. The victim explained that upon arriving in Billerica, the suspects stopped at the Cumberland Farms store. While in the parking lot of the store, there was a struggle inside the motor vehicle. During the struggle the victim sustained injuries and a firearm was discharged. At this time it is believed that nobody was struck by a bullet. Two suspects were subsequently apprehended in close proximity to the scene. The suspects are identified as Jose Jusino, 19, of Haverhill, MA and Joshua Ruiz, 19, also of Haverhill, MA. Both Jusino and Ruiz were arrested and charged with Kidnapping and Armed Assault with Intent to Murder. The investigation is still open and more charges are expected.

Any additional questions should be directed to Jessica Pastore of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office at 781-897-8325.