METHUEN — Chief Scott J. McNamara reports that the Methuen Police Department’s new Director of Crime Analysis and Disorder Dawn Reeby’s analysis of local crime trends is already paying off.
Reeby, who previously worked as a crime analyst for the Lowell Police Department, began working full time for Methuen Police on April 11. Officer Gina Scanlon has served as a part-time crime analyst since 2012, and Chief McNamara wanted to expand on Officer Scanlon’s valuable work by increasing the crime analyst position to full-time as part of a reorganization of the department.
Reeby collected data on catalytic converter thefts in Methuen and surrounding towns. She analyzed similarities among the cases across the region and produced bulletins for patrol officers that were shared at roll calls in May, and helped patrol supervisors deploy officers.
On Thursday, May 19, at approximately 4:45 a.m., Officer Brandon LaFlamme was patrolling in the area of Granite Street, where several catalytic converter thefts had been reported.
During the patrol in the area, Officer LaFlamme came into contact with MARK CRISTALDI, AGE 52, WHO HAS NO KNOWN ADDRESS.
CRISTALDI was wanted on a warrant obtained by the North Andover Police Department for allegedly stealing catalytic converters. The warrant charged CRISTALDI with Larceny Over $1,200 by a Single Scheme and six counts of Malicious Damage to a Motor Vehicle.
CRISTALDI was taken into custody on the arrest warrant, and a subsequent search located a Kwik Force Stun Gun that CRISTALDI was not licensed to carry. Methuen Police charged CRISTALDI with Illegal Possession of a Stun Gun.
CRISTALDI was transported to Lawrence District Court on Thursday for arraignment.
“Director Reeby has already proven to be a wonderful addition to our department. Crime analysis allows us to focus our limited resources during the time periods and locations that are likely to give us the best results,” said Chief McNamara. “This is the first of many wins for crime analysis in the MPD. I’m betting there will be many more.”