CHELMSFORD — Chief James M. Spinney reports that the Chelmsford Police Department is charging three people with removing catalytic converters from vehicles at a local business, and investigating the source of numerous other catalytic converters recovered on Monday.
JEREK ARCHER, AGE 24, OF IMPERIAL, MISSOURI, was arrested and charged with:
- Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,200
- Possession of Burglary Tools
- Malicious Destruction of Property
- Malicious Destruction of a Motor Vehicle (Two Counts)
ERIC AMUNDSEN, AGE 47, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, was arrested and charged with:
- Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,200
- Possession of Burglary Tools
- Malicious Destruction of Property
- Malicious Destruction of a Motor Vehicle (Two Counts)
A 26-YEAR-OLD MISSOURI WOMAN, will be summonsed to court to face charges of:
- Failure To Stop For Police
- Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Speeding
- Receiving Stolen Property Over $1,200
- Possession of Burglary Tools
- Malicious Destruction of Property
- Malicious Destruction of a Motor Vehicle (two counts)
- Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- Uninsured Motor Vehicle
- Attaching Plates
On Monday, May 23, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Chelmsford Police received a 911 call reporting suspicious activity in the area of 16 Progress Ave. A caller reported seeing several people cut through the fence of a local business, and moments later hearing a sawing sound.
Chelmsford Police responded to 16 Progress Ave., and requested assistance from the Billerica Police Department.
Officer Shawn Lefebvre arrived first, and located a suspect vehicle, and heard saws being used inside the business’s fence. As officers from Billerica arrived, police illuminated the business lot and saw a suspect jump a fence and flee. Chelmsford and Billerica Police coordinated to set up a perimeter in the area.
Police worked together to confirm there were no suspects still on the business’s lot, and a K-9 Unit began a search. A short time later, officers on the perimeter located two men, later identified as ARCHER and AMUNDSEN.
Officers located a reciprocating saw, a commercial grade jack, and other tools in two vehicles found near the business, and another reciprocating saw in a bag on the business lot.
While officers were speaking to ARCHER and AMUNDSEN, a white Chevrolet Express van with a Missouri registration drove by and was identified as potentially being involved in the incident.
The driver of that vehicle, later identified as a 26-YEAR-OLD MISSOURI WOMAN, refused to stop for police, and was pursued by Chelmsford police through light traffic, until Massachusetts State Police took over the pursuit on Interstate 495.
Shortly after 5:20 a.m. a Massachusetts State Trooper located the suspect vehicle on Interstate 495 and attempted to stop it. The operator refused to stop and Troop C authorized the Trooper to pursue and assumed command and control.
Another MSP Trooper ahead of the pursuit route deployed a tire deflation device, which the suspect vehicle drove over, causing tire damage. The suspect vehicle then slowed and took the ramp onto Route 20 and was stopped by Troopers in Marlborough.
Due to a medical episode that occurred in Marlborough, the woman identified as the van’s operator was taken to a local hospital. Chelmsford Police will summons that woman to court to face charges, and are seeking an arrest warrant.
A subsequent search of the Chevrolet Express van located 29 catalytic converters.
ARCHER and AMUNDSEN were arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court, where bail was set at $2,500 for each man. They are scheduled to return to court on June 29.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Chelmsford Police continue to work with law enforcement partners to identify the source of the catalytic converters that were located.
“I want to thank our partners at Billerica Police and the Massachusetts State Police for their assistance,” said Chief Spinney. “Catalytic converter thefts are taking an increasing toll, and we are working hard to both stop these thefts, and prevent more from occurring.”
The arrests come as Chelmsford Police also continue to investigate multiple instances of catalytic converter thefts at other locations in town over the past three months.
In response to the increase in such thefts, Chelmsford Police would like to provide the following tips:
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Park close to building entrances or the nearest road in public parking lots. This leaves your vehicle in a location where many people can see it.
- If you have a personal or shared garage, keep your vehicle parked inside with the door shut.
- Add video surveillance to the area where you regularly park your vehicle.
- Install a catalytic converter-specific security device, such as an aluminum plate that, once installed, can provide a strong barrier against theft.
- Adjust the security system on your vehicle, if already installed, to activate from vibrations, such as those produced by a saw.
- Remember to call the police and report where your car was parked when your catalytic converter was stolen. Provide as many identifying details as possible, including the time when the theft most likely occurred.
Chelmsford Police are asking anyone with information on the thefts, or anyone who believes they see suspicious activity, to call 978-256-2521.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
