Chief Richard D. Howe
20 Westford Road
Tyngsborough, MA 01879
For Immediate Release
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Tyngsborough Police Arrest Armed Man for Impersonating a Police Officer
Dracut Man, 45, Held without Bail
TYNGSBOROUGH — Chief Richard D. Howe reports that the Tyngsborough Police Department arrested an armed man Saturday afternoon
KEVIN LESSARD, AGE 45, OF DRACUT was charged with:
- Impersonating a Police Officer (Misdemeanor)
- Carrying a Firearm without a License (Felony)
- Unlawful Possession of Ammunition (Felony)
- Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, to wit, a Police Baton (Felony)
At 3:26 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to the area of Pawtucket Boulevard near the Vesper Country Club for a report of a vehicle with flashing lights pulled over behind another vehicle.Upon arrival, officers found a red Ford Crown Victoria with New Hampshire plates and white flashing lights in the rear window. The vehicle was pulled off to the road, offset from another vehicle, with its tires turned toward traffic, which is consistent with police tactical procedures when conducting a traffic stop.
As an officer arrived on scene and exited his cruiser, LESSARD began walking toward him quickly, and the officer ordered him to stop. The officer asked LESSARD if he had any police badges or a firearm in his possession, and the suspect replied that he was carrying a firearm. LESSARD was detained, and a handgun was found in a pants pocket, loaded with seven rounds of ammunition.
An investigation indicated that a 2016 Dodge Dart had become disabled, and LESSARD pulled behind the vehicle and approached the driver, telling her that he would stay there until a tow truck arrived.
Officers recovered a loaded 9mm pistol, a retractable police-style baton, and a black holster from the suspect. LESSARD is not licensed to possess firearms.
“This was a very dangerous situation. In this case, we have a suspect armed with an illegal handgun and a police-style baton, acting like a police officer, with lights on his vehicle,” Chief Howe said. “Thankfully, our officers arrived quickly and ensured that no one was harmed.”
LESSARD was ordered held without bail pending his arraignment Monday in Lowell District Court.
Tyngsborough Police suspect that there may have been similar incidents involving this individual in the past, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. Police are asking anyone with any information, or who may have had similar interactions in the past with the suspect, to call Tyngsborough Police at 978-649-7504.
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