LPD WebNews

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.