Lowell Police WebNews

Archive for November, 2011

The Lowell Police Department is alerting the public to a recent increase in thefts of tires and rims from motor vehicles. Between October 29th and November 27th, there have been (11) reports of these types of thefts. Of the (11) reported thefts, (8) were from Hondas and (3) from Acuras. The majority of the thefts have occurred during the early morning hours between 2-5:30 a.m. The thefts do not appear to be confined to any specific area of the city and have occurred within the (4) major sections of the city. The police are asking the citizens of Lowell to be extra vigilant in protecting their vehicles. Any suspicious activity or persons should be immediately reported to the police. Any person having knowledge related to these thefts are asked to contact the police.

Emergency : 911

Non Emergency: 978-937-3200

Criminal Investigations Division: 978-937-3242

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

Text-a-TiP: Text tip to 847411 (Tip must begin with LPDtip)

At approximately 1:43 a.m. on Saturday morning (11/19/11), police were responded to Brian’s Ivy Hall at 74 Merrimack Street for a fight.  Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics had appeared at the nightclub for promotional purposes.  While Mr. Rondo and several other patrons were exiting the establishment, Eric Valarezo, 31 of Haverhill; allegedly attempted to punch Mr. Rondo.  Valarezo was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.  No persons were injured during this incident.  Valarezo is expected to be arraigned on Monday in Lowell District Court.

 

This charge is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Please see the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office press release from yesterday, November 7th:

 

A Dracut teenager has been arraigned on charges in connection with a pedestrian crash that resulted in three victims being transported to area hospitals with serious injuries, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

 

Catherine Gaudette, 17, of Dracut, was arraigned today in Lowell District Court on charges of aggravated assault and battery causing serious bodily injury (2 counts), negligent operation of a motor vehicle, impeded operation, failure to slow for a pedestrian, operating at speed greater than reasonable, and failure to drive in marked lanes. Lowell District Court Judge Lynn Rooney ordered the defendant held on $5,000 cash bail with the conditions that if she makes bail she will be placed on an ELMO bracelet with home confinement except for school, ordered to refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol and ordered not to drive.

 

Her next court date is December 7 for pretrial conference.

 

“We allege that the defendant operated her motor vehicle while she was impaired due to intentionally inhaling chemicals that resulted in her losing consciousness, causing her to strike three pedestrians, critically injuring them,” District Attorney Leone said. “The use of mind and mood altering substances amongst our youth is a serious issue. We remain committed to preventing substance use and abuse through education and training, to prevent instances such as this from happening again, by working with our community partners on the dangers of substance abuse, including using items usually found within their household.”

 

According to authorities, on October 9, Lowell police responded to the intersection of Mammoth Road and 8th Avenue in Lowell for reports of three pedestrians who had allegedly been struck by a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, police located the three victims who were transported to area hospitals, one in critical condition and other two were transported in serious condition. Also on scene, authorities located the defendant who was allegedly driving a 2002 Honda Accord with three passengers.

 

Authorities allege that the defendant was operating her motor vehicle on Mammoth Road when she struck one of the victims who was crossing the street near 8th Avenue. After striking the first victim, the defendant allegedly continued to drive approximately 50 feet, crossed over the marked lanes and struck the second and third victim who were entering a parked car on Mammoth Road It is further alleged that while driving, the defendant was inhaling vapors from a can of compressed air and allegedly lost consciousness prior to striking the three victims.

 

The defendant was charged on October 13 and was summons to court for an arraignment, which took place today.

 

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

 

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Sean Casey. The Victim Witness Advocates are Andrea Trombley and Maura Ryle. This case was investigated by the Lowell Police Department and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

In light of the recent storm, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regarding the use of generators and the electrical hazards they may pose:

BOSTON – Many residents who have lost power following this weekend’s snowstorm are seeking alternative sources of heat and electricity in their homes. These residents are urged to take extreme caution to avoid injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical hazards during this time.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Hazard from Portable Generators, Gas Stoves and Charcoal

The operation of gasoline, oil or other combustible fuel electrical generators produces carbon monoxide which poses an extreme health hazard if used indoors without proper ventilation. The use of gas stoves and charcoal as a heat source is not recommended since both also produce carbon monoxide that is not vented properly outdoors.

 

NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off. Carbon monoxide can cause severe injury or death if exhaust from operating electrical generators is not vented properly.

 

Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Locate the unit outdoors and far from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.

 

If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. The CO from generators can rapidly kill you. 

 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Electrical Hazards, Massachusetts residents are reminded that state law requires the installation of battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in every home, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).

 

Electrical Hazards

Generators also pose a risk of shock and electrocution, especially if they are operated in wet conditions. If you must use a generator when it is wet outside, protect the generator from moisture to help avoid the shock/electrocution hazard, but do so without operating the generator indoors or near openings to any building that can be occupied in order to help avoid the CO hazard. Operate the generator under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot reach it or puddle or drain under it. If your hands are wet, dry them before touching the generator.

 

Connect appliances to the generator using heavy-duty extension cords that are specifically designed for outdoor use. Make sure the wattage rating for each cord exceeds the total wattage of all appliances connected to it. Use extension cords that are long enough to allow the generator to be placed outdoors and far away from windows, doors and vents to the home or to other structures that could be occupied. Check that the entire length of each cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs. Protect the cord from getting pinched or crushed if it passes through a window or doorway.

 

NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “backfeeding.” This is extremely dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.

Pursuant to City Ordinance Sec. 13-182, beginning on December 1^st, 2011 thru March 31^st, 2012, police will begin enforcing the “All-Night Parking” restrictions.  Sec. 13-182 states in-part, “For the purpose of public safety and convenience during the period from December 1 to March 31 between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. the parking of vehicles shall not be allowed on the following streets or portions of streets:

 

Aiken Street, from Father Morrissette Boulevard to Perkins Street

 

Andover Street, from Concord River city line.

 

Appleton Street, entirety.

 

Arcand Drive, entirety.

 

Branch Street, entirety.

 

Bridge Street, entirety.

 

Broadway Street, entirety.

 

Cabot Street, from Father Morrissette Boulevard to Perkins Street

 

Central Street, from Merrimack to Charles.

 

Chelmsford Street, entirety.

 

Church Street, entirety.

Dutton Street, from Merrimack to Throrndike.

 

Fletcher Street, entirety.

 

French Street, from Bridge Street to Merrimack Canal.

 

Gorham Street, entirety.

 

Green Street, from Central to George.

 

Hall Street, from Suffolk Street to Aiken Street

 

Jackson Street, from Central to King.

 

John Street, entirety.

 

Kearney Square, entirety.

 

King Street, entirety.

 

Kirk Street, entirety.

 

Lawrence Street, entirety.

 

Lee Street, entirety.

 

Liberty Street, from Pine Street to Chelmsford Street.

 

Mammoth Road, entirety.

 

Market Street, entirety.

 

Merrimack Street, from Kearney Square to Western Canal.

 

Middle Street, from Central to Shattuck.

 

Middlesex Street, entirety.

 

Moody Street, from Colburn to Western Canal.

 

Moody Street, from Merrimack to Arcand Drive.

 

Nesmith Street, entirety.

 

O’Connel Parkway, entirety.

 

Page Street, entirety.

 

Palmer Street, entirety.

 

Pawtucket Boulevard, entirety.

 

Pawtucket Street, entirety.

 

Perkins Street, from Suffolk Street to Aiken Street.

 

Powell Street, from Liberty to Chelmsford.

 

Prescott Street, entirety.

 

Rogers Street, from city line to Lawrence Street.

 

Salem Street, entirety.

 

School Street, from Merrimack River to Liberty Street.

 

Shattuck Street, entirety.

 

Stevens Street, entirety.

 

Suffolk Street, from Father Morrissette Boulevard to Perkins Street.

 

Thorndike Street, entirety.

 

University Avenue, entirety.

 

Varnum Avenue, entirety.

 

Warren Street, from Central to Church.

 

Westford Street, from city line to Chelmsford Street.

 

Wilder Street, from Pawtucket River to Parker Street.

 

William Street, from Central to George.

 

Worthen Street, from Merrimack Street to Broadway Street

 

Additional Streets:

Market Street.              northerly side, from point one hundred thirty three and five-tenths (133.5’) feet in an easterly direction from Palmer Street, easterly a distance of ninety-four (94’) feet.

 

Market Street.              northerly side, from a point sixty (60’) feet in a westerly direction from Palmer Street, westerly a distance of twenty (20’) feet.

 

Market Street.              northerly side, from a point one hundred (100’) feet in a westerly direction from Palmer Street, westerly a distance of (20’) feet.

 

Parking Meter Zones – Two Hour, is hereby amended by adding the following:

Market Street.              northerly side, from a point two hundred ninety six (296’) in a westerly direction from Palmer Street, wsetrly a distance of sixty-three feet (63’) along Market Street.

 

Market Street.              southerly side, from a point ninety feet (90’) in a westerly direction from Central Street, westerly a distance of forty feet (40’), from a point two hundred nineteen feet (219’) in a westerly direction from Central Street, westerly a distance of one hundred forty feet (140’), from a point four hundred thirty one feet (431’) in a westerly direction.

 

Vehicles parked in violation of this section shall be subject to a twenty-dollar fine.  Vehicles in violation of this section may, upon the authority of a police officer, be further subject to being towed and the owner of such vehicle shall be liable for such charges incurred for the removal and storage of the vehicle.

 

Signs stating parking regulations shall be posted at both ends of public ways or at intersections as required by the commonwealth. (Code 1971, sec. 19-74; T.O. 2-1978 sec. 3, 1-24-78)