Above: Southborough’s emergency services personnel have been busy over the past two months. (images cropped from Facebook)
Today, Southborough Police announced their role in helping to identify a main suspect in an alleged string of crimes:
Due to a rash of recent commercial breaks over the past three months (which included Sperry’s Liquors in Southborough), a Task Force consisting of several representatives from New England area police departments (including Southborough Police) was formed and began actively sharing information. A productive lead had been established through Telecommunications Officer Kyle DeVincent; which was further investigated by Southborough Police Detective Keith Nichols; that led to the big break in the rash of multi-state burglaries that law enforcement needed. After weeks of investigation and surveillance, Detective Nichols and the Task Force were able to identify [a former Worcester resident] as the main suspect coordinating the break-ins. He is currently in police custody in Rhode Island (on similar charges), due to Detective Nichols, Detective Sergeant Gould (Douglas PD) and Detective Sergeant Matthew Richardson of Woonsocket police, establishing enough probable cause for a search warrant by Woonsocket Police. Stone was taken into custody after multiple pieces of evidence in various locations were located through the search warrant. Due to the multi-jurisdictional aspects of the crime; charges are pending in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. More suspects are being identified at this time, and further charges will be coming soon. Once charges are formally filed; more information will be made available.
We want to take a moment to say KUDOS to Detective Keith Nichols and Telecommunication Officer Kyle DeVincent for establishing the big break in this case! We are very proud of their work and dedication to finding those responsible for these crimes.
When this broke, I was already working on a piece to update readers on what the SPD and Southborough Fire Department have been up to. Despite occasional police and fire posts (including on the Sperry break-in in July) there is quite a lot that I missed sharing since I last rounded up social media posts and logs.
Just last week, emergency personnel worked together to rescue a hiker in town. SFD posted to Facebook:
Crews teamed up with Southborough Police Department members to extricate a hiker with a traumatic non-life threatening lower extremity injury from a wooded trail this afternoon. The hiker was alone, but fortunately had his cellphone and was able to direct crews to his location. During any outdoor adventure, alone or in a group, it is vital to carry a fully charged cellphone. Also remember to use insect repellent as mosquitoes are active in wooded areas, even during daylight hours.
That same day, the SPD held a special training for Town employees. They are now offering the opportunity to businesses in town:
This morning Officer Kevin Landry provided useful tips, tools and information to Town Hall personnel, on how to respond to an Active Intruder situation. Officer Landry is also available to speak to Southborough businesses (on Active Intruder Response); so we encourage local business owners to call the Southborough Police Department at (508) 485-2121, to schedule a time for Off. Landry to give a presentation to your employees.
And did we mention that it’s free? 😁
And good works weren’t limited to in-town or local aid. Two members of the SFD shipped out in late August to help with hurricane preparedness:
Two members of the Southborough Fire Department have been mobilized to assist the southeast states with preparations for tropical cyclone Dorian. Lieutenant Neal Aspesi has been deployed as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Urban Search & Rescue System, Incident Support Team as the systems public information officer. Captain Mark Sadowski has been activated as part of the Massachusetts Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue Team as a heavy equipment rigging and water rescue specialist. Best of luck to both and stay safe!
I followed up with Lt. Aspesi and learned that the two were sent to separate locations. For his own experience, he was able to share that he was deployed to numerous locations over about two weeks, moving ahead of the hurricane to help local authorities prepare for the big storm.
As for the official police logs for July 24 – September 24th, they show a slew of accidents, several arrests and a lot of hours monitoring traffic safety among other things. (Since they were too long to insert below, I saved them to a pdf you can open here.)
Of 12 arrests were made, half of them involving alleged drunk driving. Another seven “Criminal Applications” were pressed against drivers. At least two of the incidents stem from the more than 64 car accidents officers responded to over two months.*
While the logs don’t specify, another Facebook posts makes clear that some of the accidents were cars hitting deer. The post warns:
There have been enough motor vehicle vs. deer accident reports to warrant another caution about the deer population in the area. Please keep an eye out for deer and follow the speed limit as you travel throughout Southborough and the surrounding areas. A collision with a deer can cause significant injuries to you and/or your passengers, and can also cause some major damage to your vehicle. 🦌 🚙
Of course, other accidents were between two vehicles, like this one posted by the SPD on September 18th:
Earlier this evening, the SPD and SFD responded to a motor vehicle vs. Dump Truck accident on Marlboro Road in Southborough. The operator of the motor vehicle was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while the operator of the Dump Truck reported no injuries at the scene. The CEMLEC Accident Reconstruction Team and the MSP Truck Team were called out and responded to the scene, as well.
The accident is currently under investigation at this time.
The SFD followed up the next day:
On Wednesday September 18 around 8:00 PM, Southborough Engine 23 and Ambulance 28, along with Southborough Police, were dispatched to a near-head on motor vehicle crash involving a passenger car and a 10-wheel dump truck. Upon arrival crews found a serious accident with the driver of the passenger car entrapped. Additional resources were dispatched to assist in the complex extrication. The driver sustained lower leg injuries and was transported to U-Mass Worcester in stable condition. The driver of the dump truck was uninjured.
The week prior, the SFD responded to a truck fire:
Truck Fire on Route 495 NB
Engine 23, Ambulance 28, and Chief 1 responded to trash truck fire on Route 495 Northbound at 11:30 am on Friday, September 13. Upon arrival, the truck’s cab was heavily involved. The fire was extinguished with a single 1 ¾” hand line and foam. A Westborough Engine was requested and assisted with water supply and overhaul. The fire was brought under control with 30 minutes.
The logs include two burglaries (one of which was the liquor store) and an attempted break-in. I had missed that last complaint in August. The SPD recently said there was no new information to share since this original Facebook post:
On Saturday [August 24] at approximately 10:30 pm, a homeowner on Parkerville Road interrupted an attempted burglary at their home. The (unknown) subject was attempting to gain access through an unlocked window on the second floor of the residence (it appears that the individual may have climbed a tree near the window). Officers checked the area, and a Hopkinton K9 Officer responded to assist with the search. At this time, the incident is under investigation and we ask anyone with information regarding the attempted B&E to contact Detective Keith Nichols or Lieutenant Ryan Newell at (508) 485-2121. Thank you.
We would also like to take a moment to remind our residents to keep their vehicles and homes locked at all times. There are numerous home & vehicle security options out there, that can be used to help keep your home and vehicles safe. We encourage everyone to take a moment and decide if your home and/or vehicle could use a security update.
For more information, please follow this link to our Burglary Prevention Guide on our website.
https://www.southboroughtown.com/…/preventing_burglary_guid…
Not everything that emergency personnel was involved in was an emergency. They were also busy moving into their new station this summer. The SFD posted video from their move:
Also related to the move to 32 Cordaville Rd, the SPD promoted the new lobby as where to find the relocated prescription Drug Drop box.
In other news, the SPD was happy to announce a new patrolman hired. And they were proud to share Chief Paulhus’ participation in the Jimmy Fund Walk with over 100 Massachusetts Police Chiefs.
*The police logs list only list 64 vehicle accidents. However one previously reported event about a 5 vehicle accident only shows up on the logs as an arrest for a man alleged to have fled the scene.
