Lowell Police WebNews

Archive for August, 2012

LOWELL, MA (August 30, 2012) – Last evening at 10:58 p.m. Lowell Police dispatch received a call for shots fired in the parking lot at Tedeschi’s  convenience store at 494 Bridge Street. Upon arrival Officers discovered three shooting victims and a fourth victim who was a victim of a physical assault.  One of the shooting victims was flown by med flight to a Boston Hospital. His condition at this time is stable. The two remaining shooting victims were treated atLowell hospitals and have since been released. The victim of the assault was also treated at a Lowell Hospital.

 

The subsequent investigation by Lowell Police Detectives and Massachusetts State Police assigned to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office has led to the arrest of Chanphakdae Thang ofLowellfor his involvement in this shooting. He has been charged with (3) counts of armed assault with intent to murder.

 

It appears at this time that two groups of individuals met in the parking lot at494 Bridge Street. It is unknown if this was an arranged meeting or a chance encounter; that continues to be part of the investigation.  An altercation broke out between two of the individuals. The suspect allegedly pulled a firearm and began firing.  Three individuals were struck and fled on foot. They were found by arriving Officers and then transported to area hospitals. The suspect then fled the scene in a motor vehicle. Thang will be arraigned on the charges this morning at Lowell District Court.

 

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

Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee stated, “The Lowell Police Department is eager to begin work on both the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation and Second Chance Planning grants. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with CNAG through the C-Fire program and this grant will provide a variety of much needed resources to the Centralville area. We are also excited to strengthen the Greater Lowell Ex-Offender Partnership through the Second Chance grant. Recidivism of ex-offenders has long been a concern in the City and putting together a solid five-year strategic plan will allow the LPD to apply for additional grant funding in the future to benefit ex-offenders and reduce their likelihood of re-offending. The LPD is extremely grateful to the USDOJ, as well as Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and Senators Brown and Kerry, who have been instrumental in supporting our efforts to secure grant funding in recent years.”

LOWELL, MA (August 22, 2012) – On the evening of Tuesday, August 21, 2012 a joint effort was conducted by the Lowell Police Department Special Investigations Unit along the F.B.I, Massachusetts State Police, Lawrence Police Department and Methuen Police Department.  These officers conducted this operation in the City ofLowell on Middlesex, Westford andGorham Street between the hours of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The individuals arrested for solicitation were Shelia Aponte, age 39 of Lowell MA, Stephanie Lohnes, age 23 of Lowell MA, Susan Lyons, age 35 of Lowell MA, and Jessica Shanahan, age 25 of Lowell MA. Also arrested for solicitation were Shawn Dixon, age 36 of  Nashua NH, Richard Molinari, age 69 of Westford MA, Anthony Stecchi, age 26 of Lowell MA and James Porter, age 47 of Nashua N.H,

 

The following individuals arrested for sexual conduct for a fee were Kristen Frost, age 40 of  Lowell MA, Nicole Dupras, age 38 of Lowell MA, Ashley Hoisington, age 32 of Harvard MA, Nicole Legare, age 27 of Lowell MA, Janio Gallego, age 51 of Lowell MA, Jose Valdo Gomes, age 35 of Lowell MA, and Raphael Moise, age 18 of Lowell MA.  Also, charged with common night walking were Sophia Allison, age 43 ofLowellMA, and Beatrice Pierre Louis, ageNashuaN.H.

 

Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee stated; “Street prostitution continues to plague certain neighborhoods in the city of Lowell. Prostitution greatly diminishes the quality of life in those neighborhoods and the Lowell Police Department is committed to eradicating the problem by arresting those involved in the prostitution trade including the prostitute and the client”

 

Lowell Police will remain vigilant in its efforts to illuminate this activity in our neighborhoods. Individuals who ply such a trade along with their customers should be for warned that future operations such as this will continue throughout the city. All parties found to be involved in this activity will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 

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

LHNG_August_2012_sidewalk_mtg_Flyer

Please join the Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group for a SIDEWALK MEETING with the Lowell Police Department to address RECENT CRIMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

 

Saturday, August 25 at 9:00 AM
Molloy School Parking Lot
125 Smith Street

 
• Hear from the LPD on criminal activity in the
neighborhood.
• Learn what steps are being taken to address the
issues facing this area of the neighborhood.
• Understand what you can do to help.

 
Sponsored By Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group
For more information, please contact:
Taya Dixon Mullane
978-452-9995 tayadixon@hotmail.com

 

Lowell Police Department
Launches Intensive Crackdown on Impaired Driving

Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

 

Lowell Ma. – Lowell Police Department today announced it will join 128 other law enforcement agencies statewide in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving from August 15 to September 3 as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization, funded by a federal grant administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS-HSD).

 

Impaired driving is one of America’s most often committed and deadliest crimes. In 2010, 115 people died in impaired driving related crashes in the Commonwealth.  Moreover, there were an additional 2,750 impaired driving related personal injury and property damage crashes and almost 14,635 impaired driving arrests.

 

On average, there is one alcohol impaired driving-related fatality every 51 minutes across America.  The number of drivers operating under the influence increases during holiday weekends, especially during summer holidays.

 

“There have been too many incidents where innocent law-abiding people driving our roadways suffer tragic consequences. This is a result of a conscious decision made by people to drive impaired and is a careless disregard for human life. We here at the Lowell Police are committed to roadway safety; we will be increasing our enforcement efforts during the crackdown.  Since twice as many alcohol-impaired crashes occur over the weekend and four times as many occur at night, we will be especially vigilant during these high-risk times when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,” said Deputy Superintendent Deborah Friedl.

 

Lowell Officers will be aggressively looking for any impaired drivers during the crackdown. Arrest will be the response for anyone found driving our roadways under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

 

“The message  is simple: if we find you driving impaired, you will be arrested. No exceptions, no second chance” said Deputy Friedl. “Even if  happen to beat the odds and  walk away from an impaired-driving crash alive, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can still destroy your life.”

 

According to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, violators often face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. All told, a first offense can easily cost well over $5000.  Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences.   Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

The Lowell Police Department is investigating 2 separate incidents of explosives being ignited in the city. The most recent incident happened over this past weekend. On August 12, 2012 at approximately 7; 10 p.m. Officers were on patrol in the area ofWannalancit Street. At which time they heard a loud explosion. They were unable to locate the exact location as the noise echoed throughout the neighborhood. As they drove ontoW.Bowers Streetthey could see a large plume of smoke bellowing into the air from the rear of theBartlettSchool. Officers drove to the field in the rear of the school. Officers then located remnants of what appeared to be a homemade pipe bomb. The Lowell Fire Department and detectives from the Lowell Police Criminal Bureau were requested to respond. Upon searching the area, remnants of the pipe bomb were found 200-220 feet from the ignition point.

 

On August 10, 2012 Officers were on patrol in the area ofGorham Street. At approximately 10: 07 p.m. an officer heard a loud explosion come from the area of the South Common. As the officer drove to the location he observed smoke bellowing from the center of the common. Lowell Fire and Lowell Police detectives were requested to respond. In both incidents a thorough search was conducted to ensure that there were no other explosive devices in the area. Evidence has been collected in both of these incidents.

 

The Lowell Police Department is actively investigating both of these incidents and is requesting the public’s help. If you witness such an incident please contact us immediately at (978) 937-3200.  If anyone has any information on past incidents please contact LPD Crime Stoppers at (978) 459-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to 847411. (Tip must start with LPDtip)  You will remain anonymous and if your information is deemed credible and reliable it could result in a cash reward.

 

Under Massachusetts Law (GL:266;102A) possession of a infernal machine is a Felony and is punishable by up to 10 years in State Prison and not less than 2 ½ years in the House of Correction.