Billerica Police | MA

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.

On 5/15/12 at approximately 3:10PM Billerica Police Officers responded to the area of Nolte Rd for a complaint of youths brandishing firearms.  Upon arrival the Officers ordered the youths to drop the firearms. Fortunately, the orders were complied with and the Officers determined the firearms to be “Airsoft” guns.  When purchased, these guns have a brightly colored “cap” at the end of the barrel.  In this case, both guns had those caps removed.

After a brief investigation, it was determined that the six boys, ages 13-15, were working on “school project” and didn’t realize the possible consequences of their actions.

Looking at the photo above would you be willing to bet your life on which gun is real and which is not? Probably not?  In this case, the pistol pictured at the bottom right of the image is a BPD issued Glock 21, the others are the airsoft guns seized from this incident.  Their parents were notified.

It should also be noted that when an individual (police officers included) are threatened with a perceived firearm there is no obligation on that individual to try and determine whether the weapon is real or not.  Even in a case where the orange or yellow cap is in place, one cannot assume that it is not a genuine firearm made to look like an airsoft gun. We cannot stress enough how dangerous these situations can be.