Methuen

Methuen Police Arrest Boy, 12, After School Threat

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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

Monday, Feb. 11, 2019

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

Methuen Police Arrest Boy, 12, After School Threat

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon, Methuen Public Schools Superintendent Brandi Kwong and Methuen Mayor James P. Jajuga report that a student at the Tenney Grammar School has been arrested and charged with making a threat against the school and one of its employees.

A JUVENILE BOY, AGE 12, OF METHUEN has been arrested and charged with:

  • Making Threats to a School (269/14)
  • Threatening to Commit Murder (275/2)

On Monday, Feb. 11, the principal of the Tenney School informed the Methuen Police Department School Resource Officer of a threat posted as a reply to a post on the school’s official Instagram social media account.

The post threatened to “shoot up” the school and also referenced a specific employee at the school as a target.

Police were able to track down the owner of the account.

The juvenile suspect was arrested and booked before being released into the custody of his mother. He will be arraigned tomorrow in Lawrence Juvenile Court.

Methuen K-9 Rumi and Officer Michael Havey Jr. were among those officers who conducted a search of the juvenile’s home on Monday. No weapons were found.

Chief Solomon, Mayor Jajuga and Superintendent Kwong wish to praise the many students and parents who saw something and said something.

“Our community is the eyes and ears of law enforcement, and the partnerships developed between our police officers and community members are strong, as indicated by the actions tonight that brought a swift and safe end to this disturbing incident,” Mayor Jajuga said.

Superintendent Kwong said, “We are deeply grateful for the students and parents who came forward with the information and contacted school administration as we take these matters very seriously. Our school staff in conjunction with the Methuen Police Department reacted swiftly to the situation for the safety of our staff and students.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Methuen Police Department Adopts Smart911 Technology

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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

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Department Adopts Smart911 Technology

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Methuen Mayor James P. Jajuga announce the new Smart911 mobile app to provide greater access to the lifesaving benefits of Smart911, plus targeted location-based alerts to all residents.

Methuen residents and visitors will now be able to download the Smart911 app to share and receive critical information in an emergency.

Smart911 enables community members to create a Safety Profile that displays when they call 911. Via the Smart911 mobile app, households can create a Safety Profile featuring any information about their household that they want 911 and response teams to have in the event of an emergency.

Then, when a community member makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile automatically displays to the 911 call taker, allowing them to provide a variety of essential, time-saving information to first responders en route.

In addition, the app provides enhanced functionality by sending targeted alerts based on the user’s location. Smart911 app users will receive the highest priority National Weather Service alerts, including tornado warnings, flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings based on their real-time location.

“Smart911 has proven to be lifesaving, and the addition of the app means more residents can participate and be better prepared in an emergency.” Chief Solomon said. “Every resident of Methuen should download the Smart911 app today. It could save your life.”

Benefits of the Smart911 app include:

  • Residents who do not have home internet access or a computer can register from their mobile phones.
  • Current Smart911 users can access their Safety Profile via the app and easily update their information in real-time.
  • Residents can create a Smart911 Safety Profile via the app, which includes verified phone numbers, easily-to-update information for dispatchers, and uploaded photos.
  • The Smart911 App automatically displays alerts from the National Weather Service on an interactive map for a more advanced warning.

“The Smart911 app will provide our police and firefighters with the most important information they need when responding to an emergency, while giving our residents added peace of mind,” Mayor Jajuga said. “I’m proud to make this service available in our city, and I have no doubt it will have a positive impact on someone in need.”

The app and its features are available at no cost to Methuen residents.

 

To add the app to your smartphone, search “Smart911” in your mobile app store or text “Smart911” to 67283 to receive the download link via text message.

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Methuen Police Department Shares Animal Control Success Stories

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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

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Department Shares Animal Control Success Stories

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon is pleased to highlight the recent successes of the Methuen Police Department’s Animal Control Officer.

In just the last several weeks, Methuen Animal Control Officer Renee Falardeau has reunited two lost pets with their families, including one who was missing for months.

In early December, ACO Falardeau responded to a call about a stray cat near a residence on Sandra Lane. Upon arrival, she immediately recognized the cat — Fluffy — as one that had been reported missing by its owners in early July. She then quickly made contact with Fluffy’s owners and subsequently returned her to her family.

On Tuesday, Jan. 15, a resident brought a small white dog to Animal Control, and ACO Falardeau exhausted all options to try to locate the dog’s owner, including checking the dog’s microchip — which contained outdated information — and turning to social media.

A good Samaritan volunteered to hang posters, which ultimately led to his owners being located and reunited with their pet.

“Our Animal Control Officer does a lot of great work, including reuniting families with their beloved pets,” Chief Solomon said. “These cases are the reason why we maintain a missing pets database, and I’m proud of the work that Officer Falardeau has done to uphold the highest professional standards in protecting residents and animals.”

ACO Falardeau joined the Methuen Police Department in October 2017 after working for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, focusing on animal welfare. She also recently completed the 13-week Animal Control Officers of Massachusetts Academy.

“Animal Control is a critical component of the work our police department does,” Mayor James Jajuga said. “I’m grateful that we have a resource that’s so dedicated to the health and well being of both wild animals and pets serving our community.”

The Animal Control Officer maintains a Facebook page, which features local events and updates on missing animals, as well as a variety of engaging tips and important facts for residents. Methuen Animal Control can also be reached by phone at 978-983-8670.

 

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(Updated 7:15 p.m.) Methuen Police Department Arrests Three After Separate Violent Incidents

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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, Jan. 8, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Department Arrests Three After Separate Violent Incidents

UPDATE: This version reflects the fact that a second suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting incident that took place Monday night.

METHUEN – Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department responded to a shooting last night, and a stabbing early this morning, resulting in three arrests so far.

 

HENRY INFANTE, AGE 42, OF LAWRENCE was arrested and charged with:

  • Assault to Murder
  • Assault with a dangerous weapon
  • Possession of a Firearm Without a License
  • Discharging a Firearm Within 500 Feet of a Dwelling
  • Illegal Possession of Ammunition

 

YOLANDA HERNANDEZ, AGE 41, OF LAWRENCE was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery and Accessory After the Fact.

 

On Monday, Jan. 7, at 10:55 p.m. officers were dispatched to, McDonald’s, 170 Haverhill St. for a report of multiple shots fired, with one male victim having been shot multiple times.

 

Upon arrival, officers located the victim, who was conscious and alert on the floor inside the McDonald’s, and immediately began providing aid. Officers continued to assist the man until Methuen firefighters arrived and subsequently transported the man to an area hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.

 

Through an on-scene investigation, officers learned that the victim had arranged to meet up with an individual, later identified as INFANTE, through the app Offer Up to sell a pair of car doors. Officers also learned that INFANTE arrived at the scene with multiple other individuals, including HERNANDEZ, where they met with the victim and a group that had accompanied the male victim to the meeting.

 

After further investigation, officers determined that a disagreement over the doors resulted in INFANTE allegedly pulling a gun from his waistband and subsequently firing three shots at the victim. During the incident, HERNANDEZ allegedly assaulted a female who had accompanied the male victim to the scene.

 

INFANTE and HERNANDEZ fled the scene following the altercation and shooting. HERNANDEZ was located and taken into custody this morning.

 

HERNANDEZ was arraigned today in Lawrence District Court. She was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, which was scheduled for Friday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. in Lawrence District Court.

INFANTE will be arraigned in Lawrence District Court.

 

Following the shooting, at 12:50 a.m. today, Methuen Police were dispatched to 91 Broadway for a report of a fight. Upon arrival, officers initiated an on-scene investigation and learned that a male victim was attacked by a group of four or five men. The victim was treated on scene for minor injuries.

 

A short time later, officers responded to Holy Family Hospital for a report that two individuals allegedly involved in the incident at 91 Broadway had arrived seeking treatment. At the hospital, officers spoke with the two men who had both been stabbed in their faces.

 

Both men were uncooperative with investigating officers.

 

DIONVILES MEJIA, AGE 18, OF LAWRENCE charged at a Detective conducting further investigation and assaulted him. In doing so, he caused a minor injury to a detective’s hand and was taken into custody.

 

MEJIA was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer.

 

The incident at 91 Broadway also remains under investigation. Both men’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

 

“These were two violent and potentially deadly incidents, and I’m proud of the work our officers did to quickly respond and conduct efficient investigations into both of these cases,” Chief Solomon said. Solomon thanked the Lawrence Police and the Massachusetts State Police for providing the needed mutual aid on both of these calls.

 

“This type of violence is unacceptable in our city,” Mayor James Jajuga said. “I’m thankful that those responsible have been identified and will be held accountable for their actions.”

 

MEJIA is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, Jan. 9, in Lawrence District Court.

 

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

 

 

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