On Saturday September 26, Trooper Paul Hoyt, assigned to State Police-Millbury, was on patrol traveling on Quinsigamond Ave in Worcester. At approximately 11 a.m. he observed a Subaru Impreza, traveling North of Quinsigamond Ave, that he discovered was uninsured and had a revoked registration. Trooper Hoyt activated his blue lights and subsequently stopped the Subaru prior to the intersection of Southbridge Street.

Upon the vehicle stopping, Trooper Hoyt approached the driver’s side window and identified the operator as CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ, 25, of Worcester. After informing MARTINEZ why he was stopped, Trooper Hoyt removed him from the vehicle in order to conduct an inventory prior to it being towed. While on scene, Trooper Hoyt was made aware that MARTINEZ had multiple past court convictions for firearms violations. As Trooper Hoyt was about to begin the tow inventory, MARTINEZ lunged toward the Subaru and grabbed a backpack from within it.

Trooper Hoyt immediately attempted to gain control of the backpack and ordered MARTINEZ remove his hands from it. As Trooper Hoyt was gaining control of the backpack he could feel a hard metal object, consistent with the shape of a firearm, through the canvas material.

Trooper Hoyt opened the backpack and located a loaded Taurus .380 pistol, along with over two ounces of marijuana, two pocket knives, and three cell phones. MARTINEZ does not possess a license to carry firearms and was immediately placed under arrest.
MARTINEZ was transported to State Police-Millbury for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $3,000. MARTINEZ was able to post bail and was released. He is expected to be arraigned at Worcester District Court for the following offenses:

1. Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked Registration;
2. Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle;
3. License Not in Possession;
4. Carrying a Firearm, Subsequent Offense;
5. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
6. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card, Subsequent Offense;
7. Armed Career Criminal;
8. Possession of a Class D Substance with Intent to Distribute.

A 36-year-old Taunton man with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to serve up to three years in state prison last week after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking and assaulting police officers, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Edward Green pleaded guilty Friday to indictments charging him with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, and one count each of trafficking in excess of 18 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and resisting arrest.

On June 4, 2018, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit officers obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s Whittenton Street home after conducting two controlled buys of crack cocaine.

Upon executing the warrant on June 6, the defendant was out front smoking a cigarette but ran back into the apartment when police identified themselves. The defendant ran into a bathroom where his girlfriend’s daughter was using the toilet. Officers located a red Coca Cola can in the toilet with a false top containing numerous plastic twists with a white substance in them (25.46 grams of crack cocaine & 13 red square pills marked “Insta-Gram”).

The defendant then ran out of the bathroom and into the kitchen area. Numerous officers tried to place him into custody but he actively resisted by punching and kicking two of the troopers. After being told numerous times to stop resisting, the defendant said, “F*ck that, I’m not going anywhere.”

Once handcuffed, the defedant attempted several times to flee the kitchen while screaming profanities at the officers. Officers eventually cuffed his legs so he could no longer fight or flee. Four officers had to safely carry the defendant to the cruiser for transport. During the ride, the defendant repeatedly kicked the door and the window of the cruiser.

Other twists were located in the apartment on a coffee table and in the couch (4.88 grams and 3.48 grams respectively), as well as a sandwich bags, a cutting agent and $732 in cash.

The defendant’s adult criminal history includes a conviction in 2014 out of the Norfolk Superior Court for possession with intent to distribute Class B (cocaine) for which he received a two & one-half year jail sentence. On that same indictment, the defendant received a probation sentence on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. The defendant violated his probation on both counts and received a one year committed sentence.

In 2009, the defendant was convicted out of the Norfolk Superior Court on two counts of possession with intent to distribute class B and received a sentence of four and a half years to the state prison. On that same indictment, he also received concurrent sentences for convictions of controlled substance violation in a school zone, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, improper storage of a firearm, and being an armed career criminal.

Also in 2009, the defendant was convicted out of the Norfolk Superior Court for two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building, firearm possession, assault and battery, and resisting arrest.

The defendant’s other convictions involve possession with intent to distribute cocaine, drug possession, and motor vehicle offenses.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Cahillane and the two to three year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas J. Perrino.

“I am pleased the court convicted the defendant for trafficking in cocaine. He did everything he could to obstruct the police from discovering the cocaine and taking him into custody. ​ The defendant has a prior history and this sentence was warranted to protect the public,” District Attorney Quinn said.

An Everett man was re-sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison for conspiring to murder U.S. citizens, including police officers, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

David Daoud Wright, a/k/a Dawud Sharif Abdul Khaliq, a/k/a Dawud Sharif Abdul Khaliq, 31, of Everett, Mass., was re-sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. In December 2017, Wright was sentenced to 28 years in prison after a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. In August 2019, the First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated count one (conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS) and affirmed the other counts. The case was remanded to the district court for re-sentencing, which took place yesterday.

“Mr. Wright is a homegrown terrorist who plotted to kill innocent Americans on behalf of ISIS, including specifically targeting police officers,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “He radicalized himself and others, pledged allegiance to a terrorist organization, and conspired with his now-deceased uncle to kill police officers with a combat knife. This case is a reminder of the persistent terrorism threat to our citizens and law enforcement officers.”

“ISIS soldier David Wright betrayed his country and forfeited his freedom when he conspired with others to attack and murder innocent civilians and police officers in support of a sworn, barbaric enemy of the United States. This sentence ensures they remain worlds apart,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Identifying and disrupting terrorist plots, both foreign and domestic, is the FBI’s top priority, and the round-the-clock teamwork of our partners within our Massachusetts Joint Terrorism Task Force saved innocent lives, and kept Wright’s endgame of martyrdom out of reach.”

Beginning in at least February 2015, Wright began discussing ISIS’ call to kill non-believers in the United States with his uncle, Usaamah Abdullah Rahim, and co-defendant Nicholas Alexander Rovinski. Specifically, Wright created a “martyrdom” operation cell in Massachusetts. In April 2015, Wright created a Twitter page for the “Lions of America” and published a document entitled, Internal Conquest, on the internet in which Wright called on Muslims living in the United States to kill their fellow citizens.

Wright also plotted with Rahim and Rovinski to behead U.S. citizens at the direction of ISIS, and identified a New York woman as the first beheading target. Rahim purchased three knives for this plot. In addition, Wright’s ISIS cell was in direct communication with ISIS recruiter and attack facilitator, Junaid Hussain, who provided Rahim with an encrypted document containing details about the intended victim. In August 2015, Hussain was killed in an airstrike in Raqqah, Syria.

In preparation for their attack, Wright conducted extensive research on weapons, knives, machetes, bombing making components and methods to subdue their victims. Wright also conducted research on “what tranquilizer put humans to sleep instantly” and “how to start a secret militia in the United States.”

On June 2, 2015, Wright caused a terrorist attack in Massachusetts and caused his uncle, Rahim, to be killed. Rahim was shot and killed after he attacked law enforcement officers with a large fighting knife in a Roslindale, Mass., parking lot. Two hours before Rahim attacked the police, Wright directed and encouraged Rahim to pursue martyrdom by attacking the “boys in blue.” Within minutes of learning of his uncle’s death from a family member, Wright deleted data from his laptop computer by restoring it to factory settings and deleted call logs on his cellphone that showed that he had spoken to Rahim that morning. Wright also instructed Rahim to destroy his electronic devices before attacking the police officers.

U.S. Attorney Lelling and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement. This investigation was conducted by the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF); Boston Police Department; Massachusetts State Police; Everett Police Department; and Customs and Border Protection. The Suffolk District Attorney’s Office and police in the United Kingdom also provided valuable assistance. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Stephanie Siegmann, Chief of Lelling’s National Security Unit prosecuted the case.

“At about 6:00 AM, on Monday September 28, 2020, members of the BPD Sexual Assault Unit responded to a call for an assault with intent to rape in the area of the Boston Public Garden in Downtown Boston. On arrival, detectives spoke with the victim who stated that she was walking inside the park when she was approached by a male suspect who placed his hand over her mouth while making sexually explicit threats and attempting to remove an article of clothing. The victim was able to free herself from the suspect’s grasp and flee to safety. The suspect is described as a black male in his twenties or thirties with slim to medium build and short black dreadlocks.

The Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with any information is asked to call detectives directly at (617) 343-4400.

Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to help this investigation anonymously. If you are a victim of a sexual assault that has or has not been reported to police and would feel more comfortable seeking confidential advice from a non-law enforcement agency, the Boston Police Department encourages you to call the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) at 1 (800) 841-8371. BARCC provides free and confidential counseling, case management, legal, and medical advocacy services to survivors in the greater Boston area. To learn more, please click on the enclosed link: www.barcc.org

TIPS FOR ENSURING YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY: The BPD encourages individuals to review the following safety tips with the understanding that, while these tips are designed to decrease and diminish the likelihood of an attack, no victim is ever to blame for the actions of an attacker.

Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and when possible try to avoid poorly lit or isolated areas.

When possible, walk with friends and people you know especially late at night.

Avoid the distractions created when talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device. Avoid wearing earbuds or headphones in both ears.

If you believe someone is following you, change direction, cross the street, seek a populated location and call 911.

Remember descriptive information about the person following you to report to the police.

If confronted, believe in your ability to fight back and defend yourself. Creating distance and yelling words like: “fire”, “help” or “rape” are smart ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.

Keep your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon to ward off an attack.

Trust your instincts and understand that anyone at any time can be a victim of crime. Never assume: ‘It won’t ever happen to me.’”

On Friday, September 25, 2020 at approximately 5:44 a.m., members of the Dartmouth Police Department were dispatched to a residence located on Barbara Court, after receiving a call from the homeowner reporting that someone had allegedly broken into their home.

According to information provided by the homeowner, they were awoken by a noise in their basement. In addition, the homeowner also reported that they observed an unidentified male ringing their doorbell.

Upon arrival, officers observed that a window leading into the garage had been broken into, and that the bulkhead leading to the basement was also open.

While clearing the garage, officers observed that in addition to it be ransacked, both vehicles inside had also been gone through.

As it was believed that the male suspect was still in the immediate area, a perimeter was setup, during which time Officer Joshua FREDETTE discovered that the garage door of the residence located next to the house associated with the original call was also slightly open.

While notifying both Dartmouth Police Communications, as well as other officers of his discovery, Officer FREDETTE observed someone walking around inside of the garage.

After ordering the person to exit the garage, a male wearing dark clothing, a dark hat, and a medical mask appeared from within, and obeyed Officer FREDETTE’s additional command to lie down on the ground.

Subsequent to being handcuffed, the male suspect was identified as Preston PEDROSA, 27, of Main Street, Wareham, MA.

During a subsequent search of PEDROSA, officers located several items belonging to the original calling party. In addition, PEDROSA also had non-prescribed Suboxone strips in his possession.

As a result of the incident, and corresponding investigation, PEDROSA was arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering during the daytime placing a person in fear, felony breaking and entering into a building, two (2) counts of felony breaking and entering into a vehicle, larceny under $1,200, wanton destruction of property valued over $1,200, and possession of a Class B drug (Suboxone).

Dartmouth Police Department photo.

New Bedford police officers responded to a double stabbing at around 9pm last night in the area of Thompson and County streets. Initial reports are that four people were detained for questioning. No further information is available at this time.

Just before 10 p.m. yesterday Trooper Justin Dauplaise, assigned to the Troop B Community Action Team, was patrolling Route 91 in Springfield. As he was traveling southbound approaching Exit 11 he observed a brown Mitsubishi Outlander operating erratically while making numerous lane violations. Trooper Dauplaise caught up to the Mitsubishi as it was entering the Exit 11 off ramp and continued to observe additional lane violations. Trooper Dauplaise activated his blue lights and stopped the vehicle on Walter Street in Springfield.

After the Mitsubishi came to a stop, Trooper Dauplaise approached it and identified the operator as Darnell Engram, 33, of Chicopee. While speaking to him, Trooper Dauplaise discovered the vehicle was a rental car, rented by a person unknown to Engram. It was also learned Engram was required to wear corrective lenses in order to be driving, failure to do so is an arrestable offense. At this time Officer Cass, of the Springfield Police Department, arrived on scene to assist.

As Engram was not permitted to drive, Trooper Dauplaise requested him to step out of the vehicle. Engram stalled the requests causing Trooper Dauplaise to attempt to remove him from the vehicle with the assistance of Officer Cass. Engram stepped out of the vehicle but immediately became combative then fled the scene on foot. Trooper Dauplaise and Officer Cass were able to catch up to Engram, at which point a struggle ensued. During the struggle Engram kicked and punched in an effort to escape again. The struggle continued until a point where Engram attempted to remove the Officer Cass’s duty firearm, partially dislodging it from his duty belt. At this point Sergeant Reynaldo Bermudez arrived on scene and was able to assist securing Engram. He was placed in restraints and escorted to Trooper Dauplaise’s cruiser.

After a search of the area where the struggle took place a loaded 9mm Ruger Pistol was located. Engram was then transported to State Police-Springfield where he was booked. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $100,000. ENGRAM was scheduled to be arraigned today at Springfield District Court on the following offenses:

1. Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
2. Resisting Arrest;
3. Assault and Battery on a Police Officer;
4. Attempt to Disarm a Police Officer;
5. Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony;
6. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
7. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card; and
8. Marked Lanes Violation.

A joint investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine distributor resulted in the execution of search warrants Friday at a Lawrence home and a North Andover driving school, the arrest of the target of the investigation, and the seizure of a significant quantity of narcotics.

MICHAEL LAROCQUE, 56, of Lawrence, was arrested at his home and booked at the State Police Barracks in Newbury on Friday, September 18, and arraigned in Lawrence District Court today before Judge Michael Uhlarik on two counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine Over 200 Grams. LAROCQUE was held on $250,000 cash bail, ordered to surrender his passport, and ordered to remain substance free, and Judge Uhlarik set the next hearing in the case for October 19.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

The investigation was conducted by Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction and Enforcement Team’s North Unit, the Office of the Attorney General, the Massachusetts State Police Technical Services and Crime Scene Services Sections, Troopers from New Hampshire State Police, agents from federal Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Lawrence and North Andover Police.

The investigation was initiated approximately two months ago by information shared with MSP by NHSP and identified LAROCQUE was a high-volume methamphetamine distributor. The investigation included multiple controlled purchases of the drug from both LAROCQUE’s Colonial Road resident and the North Andover Auto School, 203 Turnpike St., which he owns.

Troopers, agents, and officers serving the warrants Friday morning made peaceful entry at both locations. At the residence, the investigative team located and seized approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, vials of an unknown liquid, and paraphernalia related to narcotics distribution. A search of a vehicle on the property resulted in the locating and seizure of an additional amount of methamphetamine. At the auto school, investigators located an additional 400 grams of methamphetamine, pills, and approximately $12,000 in US currency.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Caitlin McDermott of the AG’s Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division.

Just before midnight on Tuesday September 15, Trooper Brad Beckles was on patrol with Trooper Christopher Loftus, assigned to State Police-Charlton, on Route 90 in Auburn. As they were stationary observing traffic at the interchange of Route 290 they observed a black Dodge Charger pass their location with extremely loud exhaust. They also noticed the windows on the Dodge appeared to have illegal window tint applied to them. Trooper Beckles entered traffic and caught up to the vehicle, eventually stopping it on the Exit 10 ramp.

Upon the vehicle stopping, both Troopers approached it and identified the operator as MATTHEW DERAT, 20, of Boston. Trooper Beckles observed a large plume of smoke emanating from within the vehicle once DERAT rolled his windows down. Additionally the Troopers detected an odor of Marijuana and observed several signs of narcotics activity.

DERAT was removed from the vehicle in order to undergo field sobriety testing. While he exited the driver’s seat, Trooper Beckles observed a small clear plastic bag, with a substance he suspected to be illegal narcotics, drop onto the seat. After subsequent questioning and investigation on scene the Troopers located approximately 20 grams of a substance suspected to be Fentanyl, 20 grams of a substance suspected to be Cocaine, 80 grams of a substance suspected to be Heroin, and nearly 700 grams of a substance suspected to be Marijuana. Also located were numerous items commonly used in the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics, along with nearly $5,000 in cash.

DERAT was transported to State Police-Charlton for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $15,000. He was set to be arraigned at Worcester District Court on the following offenses:

1. Trafficking in Fentanyl;
2. Trafficking in Heroin;
3. Trafficking in Cocaine;
4. Possession of a Class D Substance with Intent to Distribute;
5. Illegal Window Tint; and
6. Vehicle Equipment Violation.

The New Bedford Commission on Police Use of Force Policies has released a 60- day Report, which provides an overview of its activity from July and August. The Commission was recently extended for another 30 days.

Public Safety Committee Chairman and Councillor Brian Gomes, who oversees the Commission, says he is optimistic the report provides answers to many of the questions submitted to the Commission in August. “Now we hope that the public will join us in reviewing the three policies and providing additional feedback before our next public meeting.” A date for that meeting has not yet been announced.

Following are the policies for review:

12-01: Use of Deadly Force
12-02: Use of Less Lethal Force
12:03: Electronic Control Weapons

To provide input on these policies, click here: Feedback on NBPD “Use of Force” Policies.

If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the policies, please email: NBPDInfoHub@newbedfordpd.com.