methuen police

Methuen Police Attend Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion on Drug Crisis

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Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Attend Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion on Drug Crisis

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon is pleased to announce that its CARES Team was represented earlier this month at a special film screening and forum on substance abuse.

At the forum on Tuesday, Sept. 4, which was hosted by Boston 25 News, attendees watched a film that highlighted the sudden drug epidemic that struck Portugal in the 1980s and the steps the country took to curtail the addiction and HIV crises that followed.

After the film, a panel of law enforcement leaders discussed whether the approaches that worked in Portugal would prove as effective in the U.S., as well as what role methadone could have in addressing the American opioid epidemic.

“The opioid epidemic is a national emergency that will require everyone to maintain open minds and seek out diverse set of approaches in order to overcome,” Chief Solomon said. “I’m glad that the leaders who are on the front lines of addressing this issue are continuing to come together and have meaningful, productive conversations.”

Methuen Police CARES Team Community Engagement Specialist Colleen Welch was among the panelists who spoke following the film screening.

“The Methuen Police Department has been a leader in reinventing how we approach addiction and treatment,” Mayor James Jajuga said. “This forum was an excellent opportunity for the CARES Team to share the success its had while learning from peers in the recovery community.”

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Methuen Police Charge Man With Kidnapping After Locating Missing Teen

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Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Charge Man With Kidnapping After Locating Missing Teen

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested a man last week for allegedly kidnapping and providing drugs to a juvenile.

CHARLES W. ANDERSON, AGE 45, OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE was arrested and charged with:

  • Possession of a Class B Substance
  • Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor
  • Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
  • Kidnapping

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, Methuen Police detectives assigned to the Narcotics/Gangs and Intelligence Unit were conducting an investigation on the west side of the city.

As a result of that investigation, detectives observed what they recognized as a narcotics transaction and subsequently stopped the vehicle involved and arrested ANDERSON and a 16-year-old male who was inside the vehicle after cocaine was found in their possession.

After further investigation, detectives determined that the 16-year-old male had been reported missing from Manchester, New Hampshire. Through their investigation, the Methuen detectives learned that the boy had been forced to enter ANDERSON’S vehicle and was allegedly threatened with death if he attempted to flee.

After allegedly taking the boy and holding him against his will, ANDERSON allegedly drove to the Methuen area to purchase cocaine, and required the boy to ingest the drug.

“The detectives in charge of this case did an excellent job in identifying this situation and arresting this suspect,” Chief Solomon said. “I am thankful that they were able to conduct a thorough investigation and rescue this boy from an extremely dangerous individual.”

“Every parent’s worst fear is that their child will be taken from them,”  Mayor James Jajuga said. “I’m so grateful for the work of our police department, which resulted in a young man being reunited with his family.”

Methuen Police contacted the boy’s parents, as well as the New Hampshire Department of Children and Families and the Manchester Police Department. The boy’s name is not being released.

ANDERSON was held pending arraignment in Lawrence District Court.

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Methuen Police Arrest Three Following Two Separate Incidents Tuesday

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Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 7, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Arrest Three Following Two Separate Incidents Tuesday

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested three individuals following two incidents on Tuesday, including one incident in which shots were fired at a public park in broad daylight.  

First Incident

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 8:44 a.m., Methuen Police responded to 30 Pine St. in an effort to locate a wanted fugitive, AARON J. RUSSO, AGE 31, OF METHUEN. RUSSO had active warrants out of Lowell District Court for alleged drug offenses, alleged motor vehicle violations and resisting arrest.

Upon arrival, officers checked the residence and heard movement from inside a bedroom and subsequently determined that a suspect or suspects were barricaded inside a bedroom.

Officers then established a perimeter around the area and evacuated surrounding homes as a precaution. After officers issued several commands for them to exit, RUSSO and a second individual, BRANDIE QUEEN, 24, OF WILMINGTON eventually obeyed those orders and exited the residence.

RUSSO was arrested on his outstanding warrants and turned over to Lowell Police and QUEEN was arrested and charged with Possession of a Class E Substance (Xanax).

Second Incident

Later, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Methuen Police were dispatched to the Gill Avenue Park after a 911 caller reported shots fired. While en route, responding officers were advised that the caller observed a group of males traveling from the park to a home on Craven Street. 

 

Upon arrival, officers made contact with the group outside that home and initiated an on-scene investigation. One of the individuals on scene was identified as SCOTT DAVID DIETRICH, AGE 20, OF METHUEN. DIETRICH was taken into custody on an outstanding existing warrant for his arrest out of Lawrence District Court for a probation violation.

Methuen Police conducted an investigation and located six handgun caliber shell casings on a nearby trail. Officers conducted a thorough check of the surrounding area and determined that nobody was injured as a result of the gunfire.  No firearm was found, and the incident remains under investigation by Methuen Police.

DIETRICH was held without bail and arraigned yesterday in Lawrence District Court.

“I’m proud of the professionalism our officers displayed in responding to two dangerous situations,” Chief Solomon said. “In the span of just a few hours, they assured the safety of everyone in the area of a shooting incident and deescalated a potential confrontation with two barricaded subjects and brought them both into custody peacefully.”

“Officers never know what to expect on a given day, and on this particular day they were called to respond to both a brazen shooting and an unpredictable standoff with a wanted fugitive,” Mayor Jajuga said. “Their bravery and commitment to protecting our community were on full display this week, and I’m grateful for their service.”

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Methuen Police Department Invites Residents to Participate in National Night Out

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Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 13, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Department Invites Residents to Participate in National Night Out

METHUEN — Mayor James Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon would like to invite residents to help the City of Methuen celebrate National Night Out next month by hosting block parties in their neighborhoods.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie in an effort to make cities and towns safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors, first responders and city officials while promoting a stronger sense of community.

“National Night Out is a tradition that all of our officers cherish and look forward to each year,” Chief Solomon said. “We have all enjoyed the chances we’ve had to meet members of the community in past years, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with those residents and meeting new people as well.”

Methuen’s National Night Out will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, and those that register their parties will receive a visit from members of the Methuen Police or Fire Departments. Night Out events can range from backyard barbecues to full-blown festivals.

The night provides a unique opportunity for community members and first responders to meet in a fun, friendly environment within their own neighborhoods in order to build lasting relationships with one another.

Residents are encouraged to join Methuen police officers and firefighters in celebrating the event by signing up online to host a block party, as well as by calling Sgt. Joe Rynne at 978-983-8816 to sign up for police, fire and character visits. There is no cost to register.

“A strong relationship between residents and first responders is a critical asset for our community,” Mayor Jajuga said. “This event is an excellent chance to lay the foundation for those relationships, and I hope everyone takes the time to find or host a block party and get involved.”

 

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