Members of the Wareham Police Department have planted 165 Thin Blue Line flags along the front of the station to honor both the 163 police officers who died in the line of duty last year and two of Wareham’s own: Lester Chase, who died in the line of duty in 1932 , and Christopher Argentinis, who died in 1999.

Sergeant Herbert Noble spearheaded the memorial to remind us of the daily sacrifice being made to keep us safe.

To all fallen police officers, the Wareham Police Department respectfully salutes your service.

A suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with being paid over $5,900 for overtime hours that he did not work.

Kevin Sweeney, 40, of Braintree, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to two months in prison, one year of supervised release (the first three months of which will be served in home detention), and was ordered to pay a fine of $4,000 and restitution in the amount of $11,103. In September 2018, Sweeney pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds and one count of wire fraud.

Sweeney was an MSP Trooper assigned to Troop E, which was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. In 2016, Sweeney earned $218,512, which included over $95,000 in overtime pay.

Sweeney admitted that between Sept. 1, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2016, he was paid over $5,900 for overtime shifts that he either did not work at all or from which he left early and that his fraudulent citations cost the Commonwealth more than $5,000. Sweeney concealed his fraud by submitting fraudulent citations designed to create the appearance that he had worked overtime hours that he had not, and falsely claimed in MSP paperwork and payroll entries that he had worked the entirety of his overtime shifts.

For example, on Dec. 14, 2016, Sweeney claimed in MSP payroll submissions and other paperwork to have worked a “D AIRE” overtime shift from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sweeney claimed to have written eight motor vehicle citations during that shift and submitted copies of those citations to MSP as evidence that he had worked. Yet, Sweeney’s cruiser radio was not turned on during the overtime shift, he did not run any driver histories during the shift, and Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) records reflect that none of the motorists that Sweeney claims to have cited actually received a citation that day.

In another instance, on Dec. 21, 2016, the RMV did have copies of two of the citations Sweeney claimed to have written during the overtime shift he claimed to have worked, but closer inspection revealed that Sweeney had falsified the times of those citations on the copies submitted to the MSP. The RMV copies revealed that the citations had been written at 5:00 p.m. and 5:05 p.m., which was written on the citations in military time as “1700” and “1705.” On the copies of those same citations submitted to MSP, however, Sweeney changed “1700” and “1705” to “700” and “705” so that it would appear to MSP that the citations had been written during the 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. overtime shift that Sweeney did not work. And, like Dec. 14, Sweeney’s cruiser radio was not turned on during the overtime shift, he did not run any driver histories during the shift, and Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) records reflect that the other six motorists that Sweeney claims to have cited did not actually receive a citation that day.

The overtime in question involved the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative, which were intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers assigned to target vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.

In 2016, MSP received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit prosecuted the case.

On Wednesday at 1:30 a.m., while on patrol, Wareham police officer Stephen Harrison observed a vehicle operating at a high rate of speed on Cranberry Highway near Red Brook Road. He observed the vehicle strike an embankment near the Star Light Motel and go airborne, crashing down on two wheels, crossing the entire highway. Officer Harrison noted that he believed the vehicle was going to flip over, however it continued on, and finally pulled into a nearby parking lot.

After making various observations 41-year old Brian Smith of Pocasset was placed under arrest and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a vehicle, speeding, and a marked lanes violation.

After a joint investigation between Wareham and Fairhaven Police detectives, as well the US Drug Enforcement Administration, an East Wareham address was raided on Friday morning at about 9:00 a.m. based on a search warrant obtained by the Fairhaven police. Several detectives assisted by members of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit forced entry into the home located at 6 Bartlett Lane.

As a result of the raid, detectives confiscated over 530 grams of suspected cocaine and crack cocaine, over 19 grams of fentanyl, Suboxone, as well bags and scales in the home.

Robert Ward, 58, was arrested and charged with, trafficking in more than 200 grams of cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl and illegal possession of a class “B” drug subsequent offense.

Acting Chief John Walcek said, “As a result of an intensive investigation and cooperation among both local police departments and the DEA, a large amount of illegal drugs were seized.” He added, “The detectives involved in the case did an outstanding job and I am very proud of them.”

At approximately 2:25 a.m. State Police patrols and an MSP K9 team responded to the area of Samoset Road in Woburn to assist local police in searching for a man who fired a gun in a residential area and fled on foot.

State Police K9 Section Trooper Dan Purtell deployed his partner Neko at the place the suspect was last scene. Neko acquired the suspect’s scent and tracked from that yard across the street into a backyard on Anna Road. Neko then returned to the original back yard he was in behind the house where the incident occurred, pulled behind a shed, and then continued down to a stream.

Neko tracked along the stream, then went up an embankment and jumped a chainlink fence into another yard. There, he tried to pull through a broken wooden fence. Trooper Purtell opened a gate and Neko pulled back across Anna Road again into another backyard, where he jumped another fence and became frantic and started to whine. He pulled past a shed in that backyard, did a big circle in the yard, and came back to the shed. Neko began to whine, jumped on top of a trash barrel and attempted to jump on top of the shed. Trooper Purtell restrained Neko from jumping on the shed; Neko then alerted to the shed and began barking.

Three officers established tactical positions along with Trooper Purtell and Neko outside the shed.
Trooper Purtell issued commands ordering anyone in the shed to surrender, and quickly heard a voice from inside yell, “OK, I don’t have a gun!” Trooper Purtell ordered the suspect to slowly walk out the door with his hands on his head, which he did.

The suspect was placed in custody without incident; police searched the shed and did not locate the firearm.

Trooper Purtell and Neko then began a search for the gun, back tracking along their initial route to the shed. When the got to the first backyard on Anna Road that Neko had entered near the start of the search, Neko began circling and zig-zagging across yard before crouching down and staring at Trooper Purtell.

Trooper Purtell looked down and saw a black semi-automatic pistol under Neko’s paws.

Woburn Police detectives photographed the pistol and secured it, and later located two shell casings in the house where the incident began.

The suspect tracked by Trooper Purtell and Neko was charged wth unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling; he was also the subject of an outstanding warrant. Because the initial incident is believed to be domestic in nature, his name is not being released at this time.

Meet Matthew “That Salt” Gwozdz, a security officer at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech and owner of That Salt. As a child and teenager, Matt had always been involved in sports and felt as though he was never the best at any one of them, but always had a way to build camaraderie amongst his team. He would always bring a positive attitude and encourage his teammates, making him interested in getting into coaching and training.

After high school, he took some time off from school to really figure this out for himself. He spent his time training professional fighters and those who just wanted to get in shape. While also running his own candle business, he pursued and received his Bachelors in Science, with a focus in Physical Education.

With the impending market crash, he knew he had to get out of his candle business while he still could and therefore he joined the security team at GNBVT. He enjoys his position at the school, as it allows him to work with students who need direction and a positive influence, helping them realize their full potential. Still driven by an entrepreneurial heart, he continued to find ways to create new businesses once the market started to correct itself.

Having eaten clean for many years, Matt began getting sick of bland chicken and steak and found a gift from his brother and sister-in-law one-night cooking. This container of homemade Brazilian seasoning salt sparked the idea of That Salt into life. After working with his family to perfect the recipe they launched, That Salt, with a social media campaign focused on encouragement and providing one positive tip to their community each day.

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com. Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Read more of the Faces of New Bedford series here.

Police are actively investigating an apparent fatal dog mauling, which occurred this evening in Dighton.

At 7:59 p.m. this evening, Dighton Police received a 911 call regarding the discovery of a deceased male on the property of 2577 Maple Swamp Road. The 911 call was placed by a neighbor, who found the deceased.

The deceased is a 14-year-old from Rehoboth. Foul play is not suspected at this time. The dogs are being taken into the custody of animal control in the area.

As the investigation into the incident has just begun, no further information can be released at this time.

Positive Tracks is excited to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Community Health and Prevention to host a Positive Tracks launch at the Invest-In-Kids Saturday Academy.

Positive Tracks, a New Hampshire- and Massachusetts-based nonprofit whose mission is to help young people create social change by leveraging the power of sports and physical activity, will guide youth through an afternoon of games and facilitated conversation designed to center youth experiences and support their desire to create change within their own communities.

“We’re eager to meet the young people of New Bedford and help them understand what it means to Sweat for Good,” said Nakia Navarro, Director of Community Organizing at Positive Tracks. “This is an incredible opportunity to stand alongside youth as they use sport to dig into what they’re passionate about and, ultimately, choose action. Most importantly, we want them to understand that they have a voice and that their voice matters.”

Kids participating in the Positive Tracks launch will be guided through a series of fun, inclusive games, aimed to facilitate conversation around issues identified by the youth themselves. Each activity is designed to offer young people a pathway to sharing their ideas and understanding the power they have to make a difference in their own back yards. Through physical activity, youth will learn the basic concepts of community organizing for social change and how Positive Tracks can support them in that process.

“We’re grateful to the Department of Public Health and Positive Tracks for the opportunity to bring this great program to the students participating in the City’s Invest-in-Kids Saturday Academy,” said Damon Chaplin, Director of Public Health for the City of New Bedford.

The Positive Tracks launch at the Invest-In-Kids Saturday Academy will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Dennison Memorial Community Center, 755 South First Street. Anyone with questions may contact Damon Chaplin at 508-991-6199.

The Massachusetts State Police today added two new suspects to our Most Wanted Fugitives list, each involved in separate shootings in Springfield. Both men are actively being sought by the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and Springfield Police.

DANIEL L. RODRIGUEZ, 18 (turns 19 on May 12), is wanted on charges of armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation of a witness, and unlawful carrying of a loaded firearm, all in connection with a shooting that occurred on Dwight Street, Springfield, on the night of July 28, 2018. Responding Springfield officers located a male victim with a gunshot wound to his neck; the man survived but was paralyzed from his chest down. After an extensive investigation, Springfield Police identified RODRIGUEZ as the suspected shooter and obtained a warrant for his arrest in January 2019.

Intelligence indicates RODRIGUEZ is a member of the Worthy Boys Posse street gang. He is believed to be actively trying to evade law enforcement and should be considered armed and dangerous. He is Hispanic, with light skin, about 5’ 11” tall and 150 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He is also known by aliases “Bebo,” “X,” and “Dex,” and has a tattoo of the word “Kailiane” on his left forearm.

ALECZANDER LIRIANO, 21, is wanted on charges of assault and battery with a firearm, armed robbery, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building following the shooting of a female victim on the morning of March 5, 2019 at the intersection of Dickinson Street and Lansing Place in Springfield. The woman, who was shot in the torso, suffered serious injuries but survived. An investigation by Springfield Police determined that LIRIANO allegedly shot the woman during a street robbery, and detectives obtained an arrest warrant. LIRIANO is also wanted on a separate warrant for breaking and entering.

LIRIANO is aware he is being sought by law enforcement and should be considered armed and dangerous; he has ties throughout western Massachusetts. LIRIANO is Hispanic, with light skin, about 6’2” tall and 180 lbs., with dark brown hair and brown/hazel eyes. He is also known by the aliases “Alec,” “Krazy,” and “Crazy,” and has two tattoos of note: The word “Amparo” on his left forearm and the word “Moe” on his left wrist, and has a small scar on one of his hands.

Anyone who sees either DANIEL RODRIGUEZ or ALECZANDER LIRIANO should not approach them, but should call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about their whereabouts should call 911 or State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873). Wanted posters for both fugitives are included with this release.

Police are actively seeking the public’s assistance in locating witnesses to a hit and run which occurred Tuesday evening on Old Bedford Road in Westport and left a 30-year-old Fall River woman in critical condition.

Westport Police received a 911 call around 8:15 pm Tuesday evening to report a crash and a severely injured woman in the area of 288 Old Bedford Road. When first responders arrived, they located the victim, Stephanie Tripp, face down in the breakdown lane suffering from serious injuries. The victim was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.

A preliminary investigation has revealed the victim was walking along the side of the roadway when she was struck by a sedan-style vehicle. The male operator of the vehicle exited the car and apparently told a witness he was sorry and didn’t mean to hit the victim. A witness told the driver to stay on the scene, but as the witness was providing aid to the victim, the driver sped off in an easterly direction on Old Bedford Road. Another witness attempted to follow the suspect’s vehicle, which, according to the witness, was traveling at high rates of speed and passing vehicles by swerving into the opposite travel lane. The witness lost the suspect’s vehicle in the area of Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth.

The vehicle’s last known location was at the corner of Old Fall River Road and Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth at around 8:30 pm. The vehicle may have sustained minor front end damage.

Although officers spoke with several witnesses who remained on scene, there is reason to believe that other witnesses may have seen the crash, the vehicle that struck the victim or may have information about the driver.

If anyone was in the area and saw anything, or have information about this case, they are urged to contact Massachusetts State Police Trooper Phil Giardino at 508-993-1928 or Westport Police at 508-636-1122. Residents can also submit a tip about this case anonymously by utilizing our anonymous text a tip program. To anonymously text a tip to us, text the word “Bristol” to the phone number CRIMES (274637). Then just text us your tip. You can also submit a web-based anonymous tip by going to https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous/da.bristol.ma.us.