Mark D. Segalla, Chief of Police
15 Union St.
Reading, MA 01867
For Immediate Release
Friday, Jan. 12, 2018
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Officer Anthony Caturello Retiring from Reading Police Department
READING — Deputy Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that Officer Anthony Caturello will be retiring from the Reading Police Department after more than three decades on the job.
Reading Police recognized him for his accomplishments at a coffee hour on Wednesday, Jan. 10. A 32-year veteran of the department, Officer Caturello was a career patrol officer credited with saving two lives during his career. He also received two commendations for arresting a violent felon, as well as a barricaded subject.
“On behalf of the entire department, we’re sad to see Officer Caturello leave us, but we’re grateful for the incredible work he did throughout his career,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “He was a great officer and we wish him nothing but the best as he begins this next chapter of his life.”
While he worked on numerous cases and incidents throughout his career, Officer Caturello identified three that stand out.
In May of 1989, Officer Caturello stopped at CVS in Reading Square while on his way to work. While there, he heard a disturbance at the rear of the store that turned out to be a shoplifter. He followed the suspect out of the store and pursued on foot as the man got into a car and fled through a nearby parking lot. Despite not having his service weapon or a radio, Officer Caturello confronted the suspect as he exited the vehicle to remove the license plate approximately a quarter mile from the store. The suspect then violently struggled with Officer Caturello — at one point reaching for a screwdriver inside his vehicle — before being subdued and later arrested.
In 1995, Officer Caturello responded to a home where a man with felony warrants had barricaded himself in the attic. Following a struggle, Officer Caturello was again able to subdue the suspect and place him under arrest.
Then, in 1999, he pulled behind a vehicle he believed to be disabled at Washington and Main Streets in the early morning hours of Oct. 30. when Officer Caturello arrived, the driver fled on foot, launching a pursuit. He eventually located the suspect in ankle deep water in a creek and was able to place him under arrest on multiple drug charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
In addition, the first arrest of his career came after he stopped an impaired driver while on foot patrol in Reading Square in 1986. The driver was charged with Operating Under the Influence and, unlike today, Officer Caturello’s report on the incident was written by hand.
Officer Caturello previously worked with the Malden Police Drug Unit for a year, the Rapid Response Team for several years and served in the National Guard for six years.
With his work with the Reading Police now complete, Officer Caturello is considering his options for a second career following his retirement, and is also investigating the possibility of becoming a snowbird and heading south during the cold months of winter.
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