Groveland Police Department Identifies and Charges Juvenile Suspect in Pellet Gun Incident

pentucketporta on June 30, 2023

GROVELAND 一 Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department has identified a suspect following an investigation into an incident involving a pellet gun last weekend. 

A JUVENILE MALE, AGE 16, OF DRACUT, will be charged with Assault and Battery With a Dangerous Weapon.

On Saturday, June 17, at approximately 8:19 p.m., Groveland Police responded to the area of Main Street and Elm Park for a report of someone allegedly shooting pellets at pedestrians.  

Upon arrival, officers spoke to the calling party who explained that, while out walking with his wife, he observed a red Honda Civic with four occupants drive by, and that a passenger who was wearing a mask hung out the window and pointed what appeared to be a pellet gun and began shooting at him and his wife. The reporting party told responding officers his jacket was struck with a projectile and his wife’s umbrella also was struck.

No injuries were reported.

Through a subsequent investigation, Detective Adam Sanborn was able to identify the JUVENILE, whose name is not being released due to his age. Detective Sanborn collaborated with colleagues from the Haverhill Police Department to conduct the investigation.

As part of the investigation, Detective Sanborn determined that the JUVENILE used a “splatter ball gun,” which shoots gel balls, pellets or beads. Groveland Police believe the incident is related to a social media trend.

The suspect will appear at Lawrence Juvenile Court at a later date.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

*MEDIA ADVISORY* Town of Groveland, Groveland Police & Pentucket Regional School District Invite Community Members to Sixth Grade D.A.R.E. Car Wash

pentucketporta on May 30, 2023

GROVELAND – Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham, Police Chief Jeffery Gillen, and Pentucket Regional School District Superintendent Justin Bartholomew would like to invite residents to the sixth grade D.A.R.E Program Pay It Forward Car Wash.  

WHEN

Saturday, June 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

WHERE 

Front of the Bagnall Elementary School, 253 School St.  

WHAT 

Sixth graders from the Bagnall Elementary D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) Program will be holding a car wash to help support and fund next year’s program.  

The D.A.R.E. program is run by School Resource Officer Sgt. Josh Sindoni and is supported by the Groveland Police Department.  

More than 50 sixth-grade students graduated from the D.A.R.E. program in March and will be participating in the car wash to help support next year’s program for a new group of students.  

Through the program, students learn about drug and alcohol resistance, empathy, respect, responsibility, anti-bullying techniques, and the importance of making good decisions.  

The car wash is free, and donations are encouraged.  

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Groveland Police Department Investigates Alleged ‘Swatting’ Case

pentucketporta on February 2, 2023

GROVELAND 一Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department is actively investigating after a large police response was summoned by a hoax 911 call reporting an act of violence. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, at about 8:45 p.m., Groveland Police received a 911 call in which the caller told dispatchers that he harmed someone in the home on Marjorie Street, and would harm first responders. Out of an abundance of caution, and following established policies and procedures, a police, fire, and emergency medical response ensued. This included summoning of mutual aid from all neighboring police departments and Massachusetts State Police. Neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution. Police soon determined that the call was a hoax and that no one was harmed inside the home. Police made a sweep of the area and allowed residents to return home at approximately 10 p.m. The incident is being investigated by the Groveland Police Department as an act of “swatting,” which according to Oxford Languages is “the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.” The phrase entered the dictionary in 2015 and has been recognized as a criminal phenomenon by the FBI since at least 2008. This incident remains under active investigation by Groveland Police Department.

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Groveland Police Warn Community to Secure Valuables for Sale Following Theft from Farm Stand

pentucketporta on July 27, 2022

GROVELAND 一 Chief Jeffrey Gillen and the Groveland Police Department are reminding community members to secure valuables for sale and be vigilant following a theft from a roadside farm stand yesterday.

On Tuesday, July 26, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Groveland Police were dispatched to the area of King Street for a report of a theft. 

Upon arrival, police learned that two individuals traveling in an older model red Honda Odyssey allegedly stole a red cooler containing chicken eggs and expensive cooler packs from an unstaffed farm stand. 

Through the subsequent investigation, police also learned that the suspects allegedly attempted to steal a metal lockbox containing money from the stand.

Community members are encouraged to keep an eye out for the older model red Honda Odyssey, which is believed to have a loud, defective exhaust system. 

Anyone with information on this incident or anyone who observes suspicious activity in town should call the Groveland Police Department at 978-521-1212.

“There are many small farm stands in Groveland, and we urge the owners of these stands to secure all items of value in the hopes of preventing any future property loss,” Chief Gillen said. 

The incident remains under investigation by the Groveland Police Department.

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Groveland Police are searching for two suspects who were traveling in an older model red Honda Odyssey following a theft on Tuesday, July 26. (Photo Courtesy Groveland Police Department)

Groveland Police Department Launches New Website

pentucketporta on July 19, 2022

GROVELAND 一 Chief Jeffrey Gillen is excited to announce that the Groveland Police Department has launched a brand new website. 

The website, grovelandpolice.com, offers a modern design and user-friendly features, which includes a department news blog and an interactive home page.

On the site, residents can learn more about the department’s divisions including Traffic Safety, School Resource Officer, Emergency Management and Animal Control. 

The site provides easy access to safety resources, including domestic violence information, firearms safety and medication disposal services.

Residents can also access an anonymous tip service, a public records request form and a compliment/complaints form about officers in the department.

The website is linked to the Groveland Police social media platforms to ensure consistency of information. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the site to receive email alerts about the latest department news. 

The new website was designed by John Guilfoil Public Relations.

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Groveland, Merrimac & West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Partner with Pentucket to Share Safe Driving Tips for Teens

pentucketporta on July 7, 2021

 

With school out and the summer season in full swing, Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine, Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen, Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher, Merrimac Police Chief Eric Shears, West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, Police Chief Jeffrey Durand and Pentucket Superintendent Dr. Justin Bartholomew wish to share safe driving tips with teens.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens age 15 to 18 in the United States.

In 2018, there were 2,121 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver, of which 719 deaths were the teen driver. During that time, there were an estimated 88,000 teen drivers injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and an estimated 256,000 people injured in crashes involving a teen driver, accounting for almost 10% of all those injured that year.

“Teen drivers are still learning the ways of the road, and it is crucial for them to be cautious and to take the proper steps to ensure safety on the road,” said Superintendent Bartholomew. “Parents, please talk to your young drivers about the following safety tips. Something as simple as buckling up could save a life.”

The public safety departments that comprise the Pentucket district recommend that parents discuss the following safety tips from safekids.org with their teen driver to help keep them safe:

  • Buckle up for every trip, every time, no matter what. This applies for anyone traveling in the front or back seat. More than half of teens killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt.
  • Texting or using a phone while driving can cause teens to become distracted and is prohibited in Massachusetts. On average, texting while driving takes a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
  • Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to help prevent young drivers from becoming distracted. The risk of a fatal crash can double, or even triple when two or more teens ride in a vehicle together.
  • Driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medication — could have deadly consequences.
  • Teens should only drive when it is dark after extra practice. At night, the risk of a fatal crash is three times more likely for teens than adults.
  • Always drive within the speed limit. Road conditions can change in an instant and speed limits help to ensure that drivers have enough time to react.
  • If a driver is driving dangerously, speak up.

For more information on safe driving information for teens, please click here.

Groveland Police to Host “Stuff a Cruiser” Food and Sock Drive

pentucketporta on October 30, 2020

Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen is pleased to announce the Groveland Police Department will be holding a “Stuff a Cruiser” food and sock drive to benefit the Sacred Hearts Food Bank and the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, Inc. next month.

WHEN:

Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Outside of the Groveland Police Station, 181 Main St.

WHAT:

Community members are invited to donate canned goods and non perishable-items, such as canned fruit, canned veggies, soups, baked beans, boxed stuffing mix, boxed potatoes and yams, peanut butter, jelly, jam, dried pasta and pasta sauce, to help those in need. All donated food items will be given to the Sacred Hearts Food Bank, which serves the Bradford and Groveland communities.

New, unworn socks can also be donated and will be given to the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, an organization that works with homeless veterans in Haverhill.

Residents are asked to sanitize their items prior to donating, and to wear a face mask or covering when dropping the items off at the Police Station. Residents should also practice social distancing while there.

“We are proud to hold this event each year to give back and help support the organizations that service many of our residents,” Chief Gillen said. “We are humbled to see the tremendous amount of donations residents give each year, and thank them for their generosity.”

Detective Steven Petrone first organized the drive in 2016 as a way to give back to the community and help residents in need during the holiday season. He has organized an event each year since.

Those with questions should contact Detective Petrone by calling 978-521-1212.