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On Tuesday Morning March 23, 2010 from approximately 8:00 am until approximately 3:00 PM a film crew from CBS Broadcasting will be filming outdoors in front of the Holden Center, formally the Saint Joseph’s Hospital on Pawtucket St. between Salem and Merrimack Streets.  During this time there will be brief periods in which traffic will be delayed.  Lowell Police Officers will be on hand to assist the flow and detouring of vehicles as necessary.  The Lowell Police Department is encouraging commuters that normally travel over this section of Pawtucket St. to allow for extra time or seek an alternative route on this date.  Every effort has been made to minimize the inconvenience that this event may cause.

Lowell Police Department Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:                                                                                   

Public Information Officer

Captain Randall Humphrey                                                  

(978) 446-7249                                        

rhumphrey@lowellma.gov

Police Announce 2010 Liquor Compliance Checks

LOWELL, MA (March 17, 2010) – The Lowell Police Department is announcing that it will conduct minimum age purchase law compliance checks of the city’s liquor establishments throughout the year (2010).  The compliance checks will be aimed at retailers of alcoholic beverages, bars, and restaurants.  The compliance checks will focus on, but will not be limited to, sales to minors and over-serving by restaurants and bars. 

Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr. stated, “Compliance checks are another method that the Lowell Police Department uses to ensure that our young people are safe and that the licensed liquor establishments remain vigilant in their responsibilities.  Typically, the majority of businesses operate in a safe and reasonable manner consistent with their obligations.  Those few that do not are reminded that that the Lowell Police Department is committed to ensuring that all businesses comply with the law.”

Violations are most often brought to a hearing before the city’s License Commission, but in some circumstances, violators could additionally be charged criminally and face prosecution by the District Attorney’s Office in criminal court.

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The Lowell Police Department is actively involved in the investigation of a missing adult female.  On January 25^th 2010, 26-year-old Melanie Quadros of Rock Street in Lowell was reported missing by her mother, Maria Tativa.  Melanie was last seen on January 18^th in the area of 80 Bridge Street.

Melanie is described as being approximately 5’1” tall, 90-100 lbs, light complexion, very thin build, brown eyes, and very long brown hair.  She was last seen wearing jeans and a dark jacket.  The missing person report also indicates that Melanie’s right arm is slightly impaired.  A photo has been attached to this press release.  Melanie is reported to frequent the areas of Jackson, Appleton, Bridge, and Middlesex Streets in Lowell.

The investigation is being conducted by Detective Carlos Mercado of the department’s Family Services Unit.

Anyone with knowledge as to the whereabouts of Melanie Quadros are being asked to contact the Lowell Police Department.

Family Services Unit:  978-970-4023

Main Number:                978-937-3200

Anonymous Tip Line:  978-459-TIPS(8477)

The City of Lowell is pleased to announce that the Recovery Act: Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Application is available for review. Written comments or questions may be directed to Jennifer Ball, Director of Research and Development, Lowell Police Department at JBall@lowellma.gov

New legislation in Massachusetts aims to make police, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and all roadside emergency and maintenance professionals safer on the job. The Move Over Law, which took effect on March 22, 2009, requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, and, barring that, to reduce their speed. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $100.

Every year, first responders across the country are injured or killed on the job while providing emergency help and, in the past six months, several Massachusetts state troopers and other first responders have been injured. All citizens are asked to move over to make Massachusetts roadways safer for everyone.

Crime Stoppers of Lowell will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the unsolved homicide of Hermes Pena and Augusto Degree, Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee and Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced today.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Lowell Police Department, the District Attorney and Superintendent Lavallee announced the reward offerings in connection with two homicides:

Hermes Pena, age 60, found on Appleton Street in Lowell on February 28, 2006

Augusto Degree, age 19, found in a second floor apartment of 251 Central Street in Lowell on December 15, 2006.

These continue to be active homicide investigations and we are asking the public for their help in attempting to solve these two murders, District Attorney Leone said. I know our office and the Lowell Police will not give up until we have arrested the people responsible for these crimes, and we hope that these rewards will help lead to someone coming forward to assist us in our investigation.

The Lowell Police Department and the District Attorney Office continues to actively investigate both homicides. We understand the pain and anguish both families have endured. We will not rest until the perpetrators of both homicides are brought to justice, Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee stated.

Below are details on each case:

Hermes Pena

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, Lowell Police responded to a parking lot on Appleton Street for a report of an unconscious man.  Upon arrival at the scene, they found Pena, evidencing multiple physical injuries.  He was transported to Saints Memorial Hospital in Lowell, and later to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, Pena was pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital.  On March 9, 2006, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (ME) completed its autopsy of Pena and ruled the death a homicide caused by head trauma. At this time, Police believe that Pena was severely beaten.

Augusto Degree

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2006, Lowell Police responded to the second floor apartment of 251 Central Street in Lowell for a report of an unresponsive male.  Upon arrival at the scene, police found the victim unconscious.  He was immediately transported to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. On December 16, the ME completed its autopsy of Degree and ruled the death to be a homicide by gunshot wound to the chest.

Crime Stoppers of Lowell, Inc. will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the unsolved homicide of Hermes Pena and Augusto Degree. If you have any information on this or any other crime, please call: 978-459-TIPS (8477).

All callers remain anonymous. You will be assigned a code number. If the tip results in an arrest, the tipster can present the code number to a designated bank and then, if confirmed, is paid a cash reward.

Members of the public with information can also call the Lowell Police Department at 978-937-3242 or State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorneys Office at (617) 679-6600.