Wareham Police Department Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Under the Local Control of the:

Wareham Police Department

John Walcek, Acting Chief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Wareham Police Department Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

 

 

Suspect Who Shot at Officers in Middleborough Found Dead Inside Home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Suspect Who Shot at Officers in Middleborough Found Dead Inside Home

Suspect Appears to Have Taken His Own Life

MIDDLEBOROUGH — Chief Joseph Perkins and Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz report that a Middleborough man, who fired upon officers who were executing an arrest warrant, was found dead inside of his home after a seven-hour standoff with police Wednesday afternoon.

Residents and business owners should be advised that the area is now safe and most officers are clearing the scene.

John Mann, age 38, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after police breached the Wareham Street home.

A rifle and two handguns were recovered from inside the home and seized as evidence.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Middleboro Police officers we’re assisting the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Warrant Unit with the execution of an arrest warrant at a home at 469 Wareham St.

While at the house a K9 officer went to the rear of the home and was allegedly fired upon by Mann. Mann allegedly fired one round and the officers all retreated to safety. No officers were injured.

Mann then barricaded himself inside the house.

Several more officers responded to the scene, including the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) SWAT Unit, and a perimeter was established.

A reverse 911 call was sent out to residents to notify them to shelter in place and avoid the area.

Several attempts were made to contact the suspect but were unsuccessful in doing so.

Eventually the house was breached by officers and they located Mann’s body on the first floor in the rear of the home. He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, the home was being searched and the incident is still under investigation.

 

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Armed Fugitive Opens Fire on Middleborough Police

Middleborough Police Department
Joseph Perkins, Chief of Police
99 N. Main St.
Middleborough, MA 02346

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

*BREAKING NEWS*

Armed Fugitive Opens Fire on Middleborough Police

Police and Sheriff’s Department Were Serving Warrant on Wanted Suspect

Media covering this incident should stage on Smith Street at Route 28. 

MIDDLEBOROUGH — Police Chief Joseph Perkins reports that the Middleborough Police Department is urging businesses and residents between I-495 and Locust Street, along Route 28, to shelter in place after an armed fugitive opened fire on police officers this morning and has since barricaded himself inside a residence.

Middleborough Police and deputies from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Warrant Unit were serving an arrest warrant on a wanted fugitive this morning. Police arrived at the home at 469 Wareham St. at 9:30 a.m. Upon seeing the officers approach, the suspect opened fire with a long gun.

No one was struck. Police pulled back, took cover and established a perimeter around the house. The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team has been called to the scene for mutual aid. The SWAT Team is made up of highly trained police officers from throughout the region, who report to Chief Perkins when requested.

The fugitive is barricaded inside the home, and officers are working to negotiate his peaceful and safe surrender.

Route 28 (Wareham Street) is closed in both directions between I-495 and Spruce Street. Motorists should avoid the area.

The residence in question is the only home in an otherwise commercial/industrial area of town.

Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

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SEMLEC Provides Update on SWAT Officer Injured During Training Exercise Wednesday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 6, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

SEMLEC Provides Update on SWAT Officer Injured During Training Exercise Wednesday

Injured Officer Released From Hospital

Note for media members: Today at 3:45 p.m. at the Bridgewater Police Department, 220 Pleasant St., SEMLEC President and Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte and SEMLEC SWAT Assistant Control Chief and Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily will be available to speak to the media.

BRIDGEWATER – The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte and Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins would like to provide an update on the Middleborough Police Officer that was injured during a training exercise on Wednesday, and the subsequent investigation.

A preliminary investigation indicates that on Wednesday, April 4, the officer was using a 37mm projectile launcher loaded with training rounds to aid in a SWAT training exercise in Bridgewater, when the device exploded in his hands.

The device was a Model 201-Z Federal 1.5 Caliber Gas Gun (using 37mm rounds).

The ensuing investigation by Bridgewater Police indicates that the device malfunctioned in the officers hands while he was training to do his job in the normal performance of his duties.The device broke into several pieces and a portion of the barrel was split in half.

The officer, whose name is not being released publicly, was released from the hospital on Thursday and is back home and in good spirits. He underwent successful surgery on one of his hands and will now begin a rehabilitation and recovery process.

“I am very glad to see that our officer is back home with his family and I would like to thank the staff at Mass. General for the great care that they provided and their hospitality for the many officers and family members that went to visit him,” Chief Perkins said. “I would like to commend our officer for his high spirits and professionalism during this unfortunate ordeal. We wish him a speedy recovery and everyone in Middleborough and the 30 communities that SEMLEC represents sends their well wishes and positive thoughts.”

The injuries sustained to his left hand include severe lacerations and the permanent partial amputation of one of his finger tips.

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing by the Bridgewater Police Department. The use of the projectile launcher and training rounds used will be suspended by SEMLEC while the investigation remains open.

Other local law enforcement councils and SWAT units will be notified of the situation to help prevent any similar incidents from occurring.

Investigators will be contacting the manufacturer of the projectile launcher and training rounds to determine what went wrong.

“All factors will be looked at, including the age of the device, the training round that was used and whether there were any defects in the products. At this point, all indications are that it was not the officer’s error but a defective device that malfunctioned in his hands,” Chief Delmonte said. “This is life-saving training and while this incident was not typical, these officers are trained for dangerous situations and the training can sometimes pose inherent risks. These elite SEMLEC officers are part of one of the most highly-trained units in the region, with the singular mission of saving lives during a critical incident. This officer was training to do his job when he was injured in the performance of his duties.”

At approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Bridgewater Police and Fire received a 911 call from a member of SEMLEC SWAT requesting an ambulance for an officer who sustained a hand injury during a training program on the exterior grounds of MCI Bridgewater.

Upon arrival, rescuers found the officer with a serious wound to one of his hands. The officer was treated at the scene and transported by a Bridgewater Fire Department ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

While not carried by officers in the normal course of their duties, the 37mm launcher is used for a variety of SWAT operations including smoke screens, high visibility flares, decoy noisemaker rounds, “Flash Bang” style stun projectiles, and training rounds that emit smoke and/or noise.

At this time, it is not clear when or if the officer would be able to return to his duties.

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Fairhaven Police and SEMLEC Respond After Man Barricaded Himself Inside a Home

Fairhaven Police Department
Kevin W. Kobza, Lieutenant/PIO
1 Bryant St.
Fairhaven, MA 02719

For Immediate Release

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Fairhaven Police and SEMLEC Respond After Man Barricaded Himself Inside a Home

FAIRHAVEN — Lt. Kevin Kobza reports that the Fairhaven Police Department and SEMLEC responded to a home in Fairhaven, where an individual had barricaded himself inside, and that the situation has ended without incident.

At 8:38 a.m., Fairhaven Police officers attempting to make contact with a resident at 18 Winsegansett Ave. were turned away by a resident who then barricaded himself inside the home. SEMLEC units subsequently responded to the scene and, working under the local control of Fairhaven Police, helped to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

The man, who was alone inside the home and not in possession of any firearms, was taken into custody at approximately 12:30 p.m. Prior to bringing him into custody, Fairhaven Police had reason to believe the subject may have been armed with a knife.

His name is not being released at this time, and there is no threat to the community.

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Photos: SEMLEC Search and Rescue Holds Successful Training Exercise in Dartmouth

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Photos: SEMLEC Search and Rescue Holds Successful Training Exercise in Dartmouth

DARTMOUTH — The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) reports that members of its Search and Rescue unit held a successful training session at a Dartmouth nature preserve on Tuesday.

The training exercises took place on the property of the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust near Cornell Farm on Smith Neck Road.

The officers trained with SafetyNet tracking device technology. The personal devices, worn as bracelets, are meant to help locate missing people who are at-risk due to illness or disorders like dementia, epilepsy, autism and Down syndrome.

The officers separated into groups and successfully located multiple tracking bracelets that were hidden in the woods. Each bracelet had its own unique frequency that the officers followed with tracking beacons.

The groups then participated in mock searches where they located two officers who were each wearing one of the bracelets and hiding in separate locations in the woods.

“We have hundreds of residents throughout Plymouth and Bristol counties that wear these devices and every minute that goes by when an at-risk person is missing is crucial,” said Dartmouth Police patrolman Scott Affonce, who helped to lead the training session. “This training is a vital resource for our officers when active search operations are initiated and our unit is mobilized.”

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SEMLEC Search and Rescue Training to be Held at Dartmouth Nature Preserve

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Feb. 12, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

SEMLEC Search and Rescue Training to be Held at Dartmouth Nature Preserve

DARTMOUTH — The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council reports that members of the Search and Rescue Unit will be training at a Dartmouth nature preserve on Tuesday.

The training exercises will take place on the property of the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust near Cornell Farm on Smith Neck Road. The training will go from late morning until mid-afternoon.

Residents and guests of the preserve should not be alarmed by the police presence.

The officers will be training with Safety Net and Project Livesaver tracking device technology. The devices are meant to help locate missing people who are at-risk, with illnesses and developmental disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, autism and down syndrome.

The officers will separate into groups of three or four and will each attempt to locate tracking bracelets that are hidden in the woods. Each bracelet has its own unique frequency that the officers will follow.

The group will then attempt to locate a person wearing one of the bracelets in the woods, in a mock search of a missing person.

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Wareham Police Respond After Man Barricades Himself Inside Motel Room

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

SWAT Team

Under the Local Control of the:

Wareham Police Department

Police Chief Kevin D. Walsh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Wareham Police Respond After Man Barricades Himself Inside Motel Room

WAREHAM – Chief Kevin D. Walsh reports that the Wareham Police Department, and members of the South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) SWAT Team, have placed a man in custody after he allegedly barricaded himself inside of a motel room.

At approximately 7 a.m., Wareham Police were called to the Silver Lake Motel, 3026 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham. A 36-year-old Raynham man allegedly made threats to harm himself and said he had a weapon. The SEMLEC SWAT Team was mobilized and responded to the scene.

Those staying in surrounding motel rooms were evacuated.

After efforts to deescalate the situation, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the SEMLEC officers made forced entry to the motel room and placed the man in custody. The man suffered minor injuries when he was subdued by a K-9.

He was taken to Tobey Hospital to be evaluated. The matter remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time. Because he has not been charged with a crime, his name will not be released.

No weapons were found in the room and he was the only person inside during the incident. The initial stages of the investigation indicate that there was no immediate threat to the public.

Massachusetts State Police also assisted at the scene.

“I’m proud of the job done by our Wareham officers, SEMLEC and the State Police today,” Chief Walsh said. “Thankfully they were able to resolve this situation peacefully and safely.”

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Berkley Police Department Seeks Public’s Assistance Locating Missing and Endangered Man

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Under the Local Control of the:

Berkley Police Department

Scott Labonte, Chief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 9, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Berkley Police Department Seeks Public’s Assistance Locating Missing and Endangered Man

Donald Flint, age 48, has been missing from Berkley since Wednesday evening. (Courtesy Photo)
Donald Flint, age 48, has been missing from Berkley since Wednesday evening. (Courtesy Photo)

NOTE: Media Staging area is the entrance to Myricks Airport on Padelford Street in Berkley.

BERKLEY — Police Chief Scott Labonte and Somerset Police Chief George M. McNeil, acting as control chief of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Search and Rescue Unit, report that search teams are actively looking for a missing man.

Donald Flint, age 48, of Berkley has been missing since Wednesday evening, and authorities fear that his health and safety is in danger.

Flint is 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighing 180 pounds. He has brown eyes and very fine gray hair. He was last seen on Padelford Street in Berkley.

He suffers from developmental disabilities.

A team of police and fire rescuers including the SEMLEC Search and Rescue Unit, Berkley Police, and the Massachusetts State Police are actively searching for Flint.

If anyone has seen Flint or has any information on his whereabouts, they are asked to call the Berkley Police Department at 508-822-7040.

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