bedford police

Bedford Police Warn Business Owners, Residents About String of Motor Vehicle Break-Ins

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Bedford Police Department
John J. Bryfonski, Chief of Police
55 Constitution Drive
Bedford, NH 03110

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Warn Business Owners, Residents About String of Motor Vehicle Break-Ins

BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John J. Bryfonski and the Bedford Police Department would like to notify business owners and residents about a recent string of motor vehicle break-ins over the last week, and are asking people to report any suspicious activity to police.

Officials believe that this recent string of motor vehicle break-ins may be the work of one group.

Since Wednesday, Oct. 9, Bedford Police have responded to six motor vehicle break-ins in the retail district along South River Road and a public recreational soccer field on Back River Road. In each incident, the windows to the vehicles were broken and purses were stolen. Stolen credit cards from the purses have also been used for purchases at local stores.

In order to prevent thefts from a motor vehicle, police urge citizens to always lock their vehicles, even if it is in your driveway, and to never leave belongings, especially those of value, in the car or in plain view.

“Unfortunately, residents need to be constantly vigilant when it comes to securing valuables, money and purses, and should never leave those items in a motor vehicle, even if it is locked,” Chief Bryfonski said. “We’re actively investigating these incidents, and encourage anyone who may have information to contact us as soon as possible.”

One of the suspects is described as a middle-aged, white female with a brace on her right wrist, who police believe has been using stolen credit cards from the motor vehicle break-ins at area establishments. Police are also looking for a black male driver and a white male who have been seen driving a black BMW SUV with no front plate.

Anyone who has information about any of the incidents or has seen a suspicious motor vehicle in a parking lot is asked to call the Bedford Police Department at 603-472-5113.

###

Bedford Police Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

BEDFORD — As the start of the school year approaches, Chief Robert Bongiorno and the Bedford Police Department would like to offer road safety tips for motorists, children, parents and guardians.

“As kids head back to class, school buses will be on the roads again and children will be waiting at bus stops to be picked up,” said Traffic Enforcement Officer Thomas Devine. “There will also be children and teens walking and biking to school in the mornings and afternoons. This means drivers need to be more vigilant than ever. Watch out for kids on the roads, slow down, and never, ever use your cell phone while driving.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several tips for motorists as the school year begins:

  • Look for children walking or bicycling when backing out of a driveway or garage.
  • Be vigilant and watch for children who may be walking or bicycling to school in neighborhoods with school zones.
  • Watch out for children who may be crossing the street.
  • Be mindful of children who may be standing in a group or playing near a bus stop.
  • Slow down.
  • Remember: yellow flashing lights signify that a bus is slowing down to either pick up or drop off children. Prepare to stop your vehicle.
  • Remember: red flashing lights and extended stop arms signify that a bus has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Drivers traveling in both directions are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn and the bus continues driving.

The Bedford Police Department also wishes to remind drivers to stay off of all electronic devises while driving, as even a moment of distraction can cause a deadly accident. Drivers are also reminded to keep the windows of their vehicle clean and clear.

The NHTSA also has several tips for children and parents at bus stops:

  • Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early, and wait approximately six feet away from the curb.
  • Do not allow children to run or play at a bus stop.
  • Wait until the bus stops completely, the door opens and the driver says it is safe to board the bus before getting on.
  • Use the handrails on the bus while boarding.
  • Do not walk behind a school bus.
  • If a child drops an item near a school bus, he or she should first tell the bus driver about the dropped item.
  • If a child needs to cross the street to board the bus, he or she should make eye contact with the driver, use the sidewalk until crossing, and walk approximately 10 feet in front of the bus.

Anyone with questions about road safety is encouraged to contact Bedford Police Department Traffic Enforcement Officer Thomas Devine at 781-275-1212 or [email protected].

###

Bedford Police Respond to Fatal Head-On Crash Involving Cement Truck

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Respond to Fatal Head-On Crash Involving Cement Truck

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan report that one person has died following a head-on crash on North Road.

At approximately 1:25 p.m., Bedford Police responded to a report of a crash in the area of 79 North Road involving two motor vehicles.

Upon arrival to the scene, police learned that a 2010 Honda CRV was traveling southbound on North Road when it crossed over the double yellow line and hit a cement truck head-on that had been traveling northbound. The cement truck lost all hydraulic power as a result of the collision, causing the truck to hit a utility pole with a transformer.

The driver of the Honda CRV, a 71-year-old Methuen man, was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead. His name is not being released pending notification of his next of kin.

Two juveniles were in the car at the time of the crash. Both children were taken to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the cement truck declined medical treatment at the scene.

As a result of the crash, North Road and several surrounding streets are currently without power. Eversource is on scene, and is working to restore power.

The Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section also responded to the scene, and the crash remains under investigation by Bedford Police and the District Attorney’s Office.

North Road remains closed in both directions while police investigate.

###

 Bedford Police Honor Officers at Annual Awards Ceremony

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 8, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

 Bedford Police Honor Officers at Annual Awards Ceremony

Back row, from left: Detective Gary Martin, Officer Craig Naylor, Officer Jeff French, Officer Sheldon Maloney, Officer Jared Weisenborn and Sgt. Jeff Wardwell. Front row, from left: Officer Tim Pike, Lt. Jim Graham, Officer Eric Isnor, Town Manager Sarah Stanton, Police Chief Bob Bongiorno, Sgt. Pat Towle, Sgt. Rich Vitale, Lead ECO Jeff Vinciulla, and Officer Jason Kennedy. (Courtesy Photo Bedford Police Department)

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to share that the Bedford Police Department recently recognized several of its officers and staff at its annual awards ceremony.

On Friday, June 28, the department honored numerous individuals during a ceremony at Middlesex Community College for their outstanding police work over the last year.

“Our officers are tasked with responding to a wide variety of complex situations every day, and this annual awards ceremony gives us the opportunity to celebrate and recognize their extraordinary dedication, training and perseverance,” Chief Bongiorno said. “Congratulations to each of those recognized at the ceremony. Bedford is a safer place thanks to your remarkable police work.”

  • Sgt. Patrick Towle, Sgt. Jeffrey Wardwell and Lead Emergency Communication Officer (ECO) Jeffrey Vinciulla were honored for their response as members of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) as team leaders during the Merrimack Valley gas disaster in September 2018. Sgt. Towle, Sgt. Wardwell and Officer Vinciulla witnessed multiple explosions and fires and rescued multiple people. They each demonstrated outstanding leadership and teamwork.
  • Detective Sgt. Michael L’Heureux and Officer Timothy Pike were recognized for their efforts to investigate and identify an individual who eventually confessed to stealing credit card information and making fraudulent purchases.
  • Officers Stephen Waite and Jared Weisenborn were commended for their efforts in arresting a man for outstanding warrants this April during a traffic stop. The man was later charged with Possession of a Class D drug with the intent to distribute following a vehicle inventory search. During the search, police found large quantities of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. 
  • Officer Timothy Pike was recognized for his response to a road rage incident involving a handgun in March. He observed the vehicle enter Bedford from Burlington, and was able to secure both the driver and passenger involved.
  • Officers Robert Abajian and Jared Weisenborn were honored for their lifesaving first aid during an incident in February 2019. The officers applied a tourniquet to a severely injured man after responding to a 911 hang-up call.
  • Sgt. Saunders, Officer Dineen, Officer French, ECO Dooley and ECO Vinciulla were commended for their efforts to locate a missing woman suffering from substance use and mental health concerns in September 2018.
  •  Officers Eric Isnor and Jeffrey French were honored for their efforts in August 2018 to locate a missing elderly man suffering from dementia.
  • Sgt. Richard Vitale was recognized for his deescalation of an incident in August 2018 involving a man with a machete who was standing in a roadway. Sgt. Vitale was able to deescalate the man during a very tense standoff, during which the man raised his machete and began approaching police.

Members of the Bedford Police-Recreation Basketball League were also recognized at the ceremony, including Sgt. Vitale, Sgt. Wardwell, Officer Abajian, Officer French, Officer Isnor, Officer Vinicuilla, Officer Pike, Officer Waite, Officer Jason Kennedy, Officer Sheldon Maloney, Detective Gary Martin, ECO Mary Ellen Brickley and ECO Justin Brooks.

The Bedford Police-Recreation Basketball League is a basketball league for high school students and police officers, and allows Bedford police to form positive connections with local teens.

###

1 2 3 4 5 >»