New Bedford Police Department

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

New Bedford Police Department — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:54:32 +0000

The New Bedford Police Department has joined up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to conduct a third National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at New Bedford Police Department, 871 Rockdale Ave, New Bedford, MA to provide a venue for city residents and others who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

This National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue in the City of New Bedford and throughout our country. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

The DEA in conjunction with New Bedford Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Saturday, September 25, 2010 and again on April 25, 2011. Nearly, 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills.

Any questions pertaining to the New Bedford PD / DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back, please contact the New Bedford Police Department at 508-991-6300, Ext. 108 Detective Kelly Almeida.

Four Firearms Seized

New Bedford Police Department — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:51:29 +0000

On 9/26 at approximately 10:00pm Officers Andrew Ryder and George Lozado were dispatched to the area of 320 Coffin Avenue, which is an abandoned house, concerning a group trying to enter the premises. Upon arrival, they did not see anyone around the front of the house, but exited their vehicle and began checking out the rest of the home. While searching the rear yard, they observed a disheveled camper with the shades on the windows open. Upon looking inside, they saw four handguns sitting on a cushion inside the camper. Since the camper doors were unlocked already, the handguns were immediately seized and unloaded.

Recovered from the camper were the following firearms:

1) Ruger 9mm with loaded 16 round magazine

2) High Point 9mm with loaded 7 round magazine

3) Mauser loaded with 3 – .380 cal rounds

4) Smith & Wesson .38 cal Revolver loaded with 6 rounds

Another Firearm Arrest

New Bedford Police Department — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:04:06 +0000

On August 22, 2011, at approximately 6:00pm, members of the New Bedford Police Department Gang Unit were checking the area of Brickenwood Housing for a large group of gang members. They observed the group congregating in the area of Walker St. As they approached, the group began to run. Two males were observed grasping at their waist, while running. Detectives believed that these males were armed and recognized them from prior dealings. They observed one male place a handgun on the ground, caught him after a brief foot chase, and placed him under arrest. A Taurus .40 cal handgun was seized.

They were able to locate the second male hiding in a basement a short distance away and took him into custody for breaking into that building.

Firearm Arrests

New Bedford Police Department — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:10:30 +0000

On Monday August 15th 2011, the New Bedford Police Gang Unit attempted to stop a motor vehicle for a motor vehicle infraction. The vehicle failed to stop for a couple of blocks, but was eventually stopped on Lloyd Street in the northend of the city. While taking the operator of the vehicle into custody, a Taurus 9mm handgun was observed on the floor of the vehicle.

The operator of the vehicle, Alex Barboza, 21 yrs of age, is currently on parole.(Left photo) The passenger, Erick Roman, 22yrs of age, has two prior firearms arrests having already served 18 months for one conviction.(Right photo)

This is not the first time that Roman and Barboza were arrested together. Back in January of 2006, they were both arrested during a drug raid on Coggeshall Street. As narcotics detectives were entering that residence, two handguns were thrown out of a window. This is Erick Romans third firearms related arrest in 5 years.

Both males were arraigned at Third District Court on August 16, 2011.

Attempted Murder Arrest

New Bedford Police Department — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:22:48 +0000

On 07/22/11 at approximately 7:50pm Headquarters and South End officers responded to a shooting at 153 Acushnet Avenue. A victim, along with a firearm were located outside of 236 Purchase Street. The victim was suffering from a life threatening gunshot wound. He was transported directly to a Rhode Island hospital for treatment. A second firearm was also located nearby.

Detectives were immediately able to use all tools available to them to track down a suspect in the shooting. Jonathan Hernandez, 22, from New Bedford was placed under arrest and charged with the following charges:

Assault to Murder

Assault and Battery Serious Injury

Carrying a firearm without a license

Carrying a loaded firearm

Discharging a firearm within 500ft of building

The victim remains in critical condition at a Rhode Island hospital.

3 Males Arrested for Break into Local Business

New Bedford Police Department — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:11:03 +0000

On Tuesday, 7/19/11 at approximately 0112 hours New Bedford Police received a report of a break in progress at J.R. Weigel & Son located at 282 Nash Road.

Several north end units responded to the scene and Officer Lorenzo Gonzalez was able to detain two males he saw in the parking lot of the business. Officer Ronald Guerin, Officer Paul Hodson and Officer Roberto DaCunha made entrance into the business through a small office window where an air conditioner had been pushed into the business in order to gain entrance. A third male was located hiding inside the business and was arrested.

This case was an excellent example of a citizen willing to report to the police criminal activity, including coming outside and identifying themselves to the police after 1AM; excellent work by our communications staff to quickly get the information out to the officers on the street; and a rapid response by patrol personnel to apprehend the suspects at the scene.

Going Above and Beyond – New Bedford Police Officer Willie Coates Serving His Country

New Bedford Police Department — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:59:33 +0000

New Bedford Police Officer Willie Coates is once again serving his country overseas in a combat zone. Officer Coates who is a Captain in the Army National Guard previously spent a year in Iraq where he was wounded when a convoy he was riding in ran over an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).

He is now serving another year, this time in Afghanistan. His unit, the Maneuver Enhancement Brigade left the states February 12, 2011. Officer Coates, when not protecting our freedom overseas, is a School Resource Officer at New Bedford High School.

Kerry M. Castello Arrested

New Bedford Police Department — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:46:06 +0000

On June 13, 2010, officers from the New Bedford Police Department were dispatched to an armed robbery. The assailant robbed a convenience store while holding the clerk at gunpoint. Over the next several days, New Bedford Police were sent to similar robberies. Dartmouth Police were also investigating an armed robbery in their town. Detectives later identified Kerry M. CASTELLO as the primary suspect in all the robberies. On June 28, 2010 New Bedford Police Detectives attempted to arrest Castello in his vehicle, he rammed a cruiser and fled.

In no small part because of the efforts of Detective Al Silva, who is also a Task Force Officer with and our liaison to the US Marshals, Kerry Castello was arrested at about 6:00 AM on 05/21/11 by the US Marshals along with troopers from the New York State Police. Castello was located and arrested in Liberty, New York. Located at this house was the black Ford Ranger pickup used was when he fled New Bedford and several BB pistols that resemble a .380, a 9mm and a starter pistol were found in his possession.

Castello was taken to the NY State Police barracks in Sullivan County where he was booked and charged as a fugitive from justice. His rendition proceedings are underway.

On May 31, 2011 Kerry committed suicide in his cell at the Sullivan County Jail in New York.

New Chief and Deputy Chief Sworn in

New Bedford Police Department — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:54:38 +0000

A new Police Chief and Deputy Chief were sworn in Friday, April 29, 2011 at City Hall. Chief David Provencher was sworn in as the New Bedford Police Chief, while David Lizotte took over as the new Deputy Chief of the 250 member department.

The ceremony highlighted Chief Provenchers 32 year career. After being sworn in, he spoke briefly to the crowd of friends and family.

Deputy Chief Lizotte, who in his 28th year, spoke of looking towards the future and explained his eagerness to open his door to members of the department.