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Press Releases
Date: December 7, 2011 Retired Chief Walter V. Denham Passes AwayThe Rochester Police Department regrets to announce the passing of Retired Police Chief Walter V. Denham, 66, who succumbed to melanoma cancer on Sunday, December 4, 2011. He was a police officer for the Town of Rochester for 33 years including 16 years as the Police Chief until he retired in 2001. Denham worked in the area until moving to Cape Coral Florida in 2006 with his wife Pam. He was Maintenance Supervisor for Burnt Store Marina. Denham leaves behind his wife and best friend, Pam, his beautiful daughter, Amy Beth of North Ft. Myers, FL and a son, Christoper Scott of North Ft. Myers, FL, his three sisters, Diane Fielding of Wareham, MA, Gloria Scott (Skippy) of Cape Coral, FL and Mattapoisett, MA and Marjorie Denham of Middleboro, MA, his brother, Allen Denham (Tina) of Rochester, MA, along with nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. A memorial service in Massachusetts is being planned for the spring of 2012.
Date: December 5, 2011 New Charges in Rochester Home Invasion CaseRochester Police have charged the "victims" of the November 16th home invasion on Hartley Road with a number of criminal charges after one of the reporting parties admitted to police that they made the whole thing up. Criminal complaints were issued in Wareham District Thursday charging Jeffrey Mello, 22, no known address and Donna Laliberte, 51, of Hartley Road Rochester each with 3 counts of false report of a crime, conspiracy, and obstruction for misleading investigators with false statements. The charges come after Mello was arrested in Mattapoisett on an unrelated warrant and while in custody admitted to Rochester investigators that he made the story up at the request of Laliberte who is the home owner. Mello said the original suspect, Augusto Darosa, came to the house to retrieve some personal items he had there and left without incident. When Laliberte came home and found out Darosa took his belongings she became extremely upset that Mello let him remove the items because she claimed Darosa owed her about $2500. Mello told investigators that Laliberte directed him to call the police and tell them that Darosa had stolen the money or she would kick him out of the house. Mello said because he was homeless and staying with Laliberte, he agreed to go along with the story so he would not get kicked out. Rochester Police arrested Laliberte on a warrant for the charges at her home Friday morning. She was arraigned in Wareham District Court. Mello is wanted on an outstanding warrant for the new charges and police are actively looking for him. Charges against Darosa have been dismissed.
Date: November 19, 2011 Suspected Arrested in Rochester Home InvasionOn 11/16/2011 at approximately 10:09 pm, the Rochester Police were called to a Hartley Road residence for an armed home invasion that had just occurred. The 21 year old male victim told responding officers that an acquaintance named "Gus" knocked on his door and when he opened it, he was forced back into the house at gunpoint. The suspect, identified as Augusto M. Darosa, 35, of Phillips Street in Attleboro, forced the victim to the second floor of the home where he stole a safe containing several thousand dollars. Darosa fled the scene in a dark colored minivan. Rochester Police Sergeant William Chamberlain and Officer Adam Brightman obtained an arrest warrant for Darosa early Thursday morning. Police from Rochester, Attleboro, Taunton, Brockton, and the Massachusetts State Police have been searching for him since the incident. Early this morning, Attleboro Police located the dark colored van in the driveway of Darosa's Phillips Street home and were able to take him into custody without incident. He has been transported back to the Rochester Police Department where the investigation into the incident will continue. Darosa is facing charges of home invasion while armed with a firearm, armed robbery, and larceny over $250.
Date: November 15, 2011 Rochester Police Department Offers Self Defense Classes for Women
When: Dec. 28, 2011 (6-9 pm) & Jan. 4, 2012 (6-9 pm) & Jan. 7, 2012 (9 am-noon, and 1-4 pm)
This is a free program for tri-town women 14 years of age or older. Call the Rochester Police at 508-763-5112, ext. 109 to register. Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) System is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. It is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. RAD is not a martial arts program. Our courses are taught by Rochester Police Officers Robert Small and Elizabeth Rich who are certified RAD instructors. The RAD System of Physical Defense is currently being taught at many Police Departments, Colleges, and Universities. The growing, widespread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease, simplicity and effectiveness of its tactics, solid research, and unique teaching methodology. The RAD Systems is dedicated to teaching women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault, by utilizing easy, effective and proven self-defense tactics. The system of realistic defense will provide a woman with the knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance. Course Description: 12 hour basic physical defense class. Session 1:
Session 2:
Session 3:
Session 4: (can be optional)
Date: November 4, 2011 Suspect in Crime Spree Sentenced to State PrisonWilliam Luz Jr., 55, of Plymouth was sentenced to 5 years in Walpole State prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to his role in a father and son crime spree across the South Coast and South Shore in 2008. Luz and his son William Luz III were indicted on numerous charges of breaking and entering and larceny of property stemming from house breaks stretching from Rochester to Duxbury. The Luz duo were identified as suspects from house breaks that occurred in Rochester and Middleboro with the help of witnesses who described the suspects and their vehicle. As a result, an investigative task force from Rochester, Middleboro, Plympton, and Lakeville Police was formed and began to follow the pair in March 2008. The task force caught the pair in the act when they broke into a home on Elm Street in Kingston while under police surveillance on March 20, 2008. As a result of the arrest, a search of their Plymouth home was conducted where police recovered a tremendous amount of jewelry, jewelry boxes, and pawn slips. The recovered evidence helped link the pair to other breaks that occurred in Plymouth, Duxbury, and Halifax as well. With over 300 criminal charges on his record in the past 40 years, the elder Luz will serve his sentence in state prison rather than at the house of correction. His son is still awaiting a trial. "This is clearly a great example of local police working together, sharing knowledge and information which resulted in a career criminal being taken off the streets," said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee. "Many officers from numerous agencies put a great deal of time and effort into this case. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome."
Date: November 4, 2011 Charges Filed in Rochester Marijuana Growing OperationCriminal complaints were issued in Wareham District Court Tuesday against Walter H. Dixon, 62, of Mendell Road in Rochester charging him with marijuana cultivation and misdemeanor possession. The charges stem from a July 6 search warrant that was executed on his Mendell Road property by Rochester Police. With the assistance of the State Police, DEA, and Coast Guard, a marijuana growing operation was discovered by helicopter on Dixon's property. After obtaining a search warrant, Rochester Sergeant James Wassmouth and Officer Donald Kemmett went to the property and removed 17 marijuana plants being grown on the property. "The plants were well cared for, being fertilized, and contained with fencing. They were planted in discreet locations around the property to hamper detection," said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee. With a full size plant having a street value of close to $1,000, the crop when fully grown would have been worth nearly $17,000. Dixon was questioned at the Rochester Police Station and admitted to growing the plants and using marijuana on a regular basis. Dixon stated he has been growing it for years. Dixon will now be arraigned in Wareham Court on a felony count of cultivating marijuana and a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession over 1 ounce. Rochester police also seized an additional 42 marijuana plants that same day from a cranberry bog at the end of Dexter Lane. The potential value of that crop is near $40,000. That case remains under investigation.
Date: September 9, 2011 Make Your Car Unwanted to ThievesPublic Safety and Crime Prevention Event The Rochester Police Department in conjunction with the Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company will sponsor an auto theft prevention program called "Auto Glass Etching" on Saturday October 15, 2011 from 9am to 2 pm at the Rochester Fire Station located at 4 Pine Street. The process which takes 10-15 minutes, etches the V.I.N. (vehicle identification number) of your vehicle on all of the window glass. This provides a visible deterrent to theft. What is V.I.N. etching? V.I.N. etching is a chemical process where your V.I.N. number is permanently etched into all of the window glass of your vehicle. Why should you do it? By permanently etching the V.I.N. into the window glass, your vehicle is less likely to be stolen and the V.I.N. can assist in the recovery if it is stolen. A warning label is applied inside the drivers window, alerting would be thieves that "this vehicle has been marked for identification purposes by the Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force." Why is it effective? The moment your vehicle is reported stolen, its Federally Registered Identification, the V.I.N., becomes the mark of a stolen vehicle. Thieves are less likely to risk the theft of an easily identifiable vehicle, nor are they willing to spend the necessary time, effort, and money to replace V.I.N. marked window glass. How do you benefit? With the permanent V.I.N. marking on your vehicle, you are less likely to suffer the financial loss and aggravation that accompanies the loss of your vehicle to a professional thief. Most auto insurers are so certain that V.I.N. etching will lower the chance of theft and save money that they offer up to a 15% discount on your comprehensive insurance (check with your insurance company). How much does it cost? A fee of $10.00 (cash only) is charged to the customer to offset the cost of materials, equipment, supplies, and labor used in etching your window glass. For additional information, contact Sergeant William Chamberlain of the Rochester Police Department at 508-763-5112 (extension 153), or Pamlea Surette, Program Coordinator, of the Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force at 781-393-1201.
Date: September 3, 2011 Police Identify Suspect in Recent House BreaksRochester Police have identified a suspect in a string of house breaks following hurricane Irene. As the result of investigative efforts by the Middleboro, Rochester, Dartmouth, and Fall River Police, Jared M. Lally, 24, of Hanover Court in Dartmouth was stopped on September 1 for driving on a suspended license. After the arrest he was questioned about a number of Southcoast house breaks and admitted to committing many of them. Rochester Police Sergeant William Chamberlain brought Lally back to Rochester where he admitted to breaking into homes on High Street and Mary's Pond Road. Lally denied involvement in breaks on North Ave and Pierce but police are hopeful that evidence recovered at the scene will link him to those breaks as well. Lally stated he committed the thefts to fuel his drug habit. Lally will be charged next week with several counts of breaking and entering, larceny over $250, and destruction of property.
Date: August 31, 2011 House Breaks in the Wake of Hurricane IreneRochester Police have investigated 3 house breaks and 1 car break during the day following Hurricane Irene. On Monday at 1:30 pm Rochester Police were called to Bradford Lane for a report of a break in to a vehicle. The victim reported the theft of a laptop and GPS unit from his unlocked work truck. At 2:45 pm police responded to the 500 block of North Avenue for a house break in progress. A teenager was at home when a black sedan with two males and one female pulled into the driveway. One male got out and the vehicle pulled away. He knocked on the door a number of times but the teenager did not answer the door. Moments later the teen heard glass break and fled to an upstairs bathroom and locked the door. The suspect entered the home and went to the second floor apparently unaware that the teen was in the house. The teen called a relative next door who rushed to the scene and encountered the suspect exiting a second floor window onto a porch roof. When confronted by the relative, the suspect retreated back inside the home and eventually dove through the screen on an open front window and fled the scene. Police arrived and searched the area. Police also called for K-9 assistance and followed the suspect's tracks to a nearby intersection where police speculate his accomplices were waiting with a vehicle. Police did recover evidence from the scene and the case remains under investigation by Rochester Police Sergeant James Wassmouth. At 4:00 pm police were called to the 600 block of Mary's Pond Road for another house break. The suspect entered the home sometime during the day and stole jewelry and other items. Police did recover evidence from the scene and the case remains under investigation by Sergeant William Chamberlain. An attempted house break occurred in the 200 block of High Street sometime during the day as well. Police found a window screen pried off the house but it does not appear that the suspect gained entry into the home. All three house breaks appear to be to be connected based on the evidence recovered by police. Police are asking residents to keep an eye out and report any suspicious persons or vehicles immediately.
Date: August 11, 2011 Pair Charged in Rochester Home InvasionOn July 29, 2011, at 4 a.m., the Rochester Police were called to a home in the 200 block of Ryder Road for a reported disturbance possibly involving knives. While enroute, police received a second call that a resident of the home had been chased outside by a number of suspects. Upon arrival, police encountered car loads of young people leaving the area. The victims, two teenage brothers, told the officers that there had been a party at the house while the parents were away and that it had gotten out of hand when an additional twenty uninvited people showed up after learning about the party on Facebook. The victims said that they discovered some valuables missing from the home and decided to end the party. After getting approximately 50 people out of the house, four of the uninvited guests returned to the home and forced their way in the front door threatening the residents if they called the police and chasing one of them into the nearby woods. Police inspected the home with the victims and discovered holes punched in the walls, a broken counter, damage to the back deck, damage to a tile floor, and saw that people had urinated on the floors. A large number of items were discovered to be missing, including a television, an X-box, video games, a cell phone, collectable coins, a laptop computer, and jewelry. The estimated loss from the damage and stolen property is around $10,000. An investigation into the incident has led to the arrest of Darien R. Barrows, 17, of Weaver Street in Wareham on a charge of home invasion. Police also obtained an arrest warrant for Mckinnley Ward Jr., 18, of Minot Avenue Wareham on charges of home invasion and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Ward turned himself in at Wareham District Court after learning about the warrant. Police allege the pair are two of the four individuals that returned to the home after being told to leave and forced their way in threatening the victims. Police are still seeking the other two males that returned to the home and hope to obtain arrest warrants for them during the week. Police have interviewed a number of guests from the party and are continuing the investigation with plans to charge others with the property thefts. Officers Shaun Peterson and Robert Nordahl have been working on the investigation and have received assistance from the Wareham and Bourne Police. Rochester Police have learned of three other parties in Wareham that have been crashed by uninvited guests resulting in disturbances and property thefts. Many of the people at those parties have been linked to the Rochester incident. Anyone with information about the party and the people who were there are asked to contact Rochester Police at 508-763-5112.
Date: May 26, 2011 Rochester Man Sentenced to Jail in Animal Cruelty CaseFormer Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority K-9 police officer and Rochester resident Antonio Carneiro was found guilty Tuesday by a judge in Wareham District Court of felony animal cruelty for starving his family dog to death. Carneiro, 45, of County Road in Rochester, was sentenced to 18 months in jail with probation for 20 years during which he is forbidden to have animals of any kind. Rochester Police were called to Carneiro's home on Jan. 19, 2009, after neighbors reported dead dogs at the residence. Rochester Police Officers Donald Kemmet and Elizabeth Rich along with Rochester Animal Control Officer Kathy Massey responded and found the family dog, Nitro, dead in a kennel behind the house. The dog was extremely emaciated and weighing only 25 pounds. The breed averages about 65 pounds at maturity. Officer Christopher Charbonneau of the Animal Rescue League of Boston's Law Enforcement Department was called in to assist with the investigation and took out the charges against Carneiro. An autopsy conducted at Tufts University Veterinary Hospital confirmed that the cause of Nitro's death was starvation.
Date: May 24, 2011 Rochester Police Department Receives Bicycle Helmet AwardWill Offer Free Helmets to Area Residents During Spring & Summer The Rochester Police Department has been awarded bicycle helmets as part of the 2011 statewide bicycle safety grant program funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and distributed through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Highway Safety Division (EOPSS-HSD). The program will provide more than 2,900 helmets to 68 communities and organizations for free distribution this spring and summer. "We are pleased to receive these helmets to enhance our bicycle safety efforts in Rochester," said Chief Paul H. Magee. "The helmets will be distributed at no cost in our community." They can be obtained by calling Sergeant William Chamberlain at 508-763-5112, ext. 153. Massachusetts law requires any child 16 years of age or younger operating in-line skates, a skate board, scooter, bicycle or other manually-propelled wheeled vehicle or riding as a passenger on any manually-propelled vehicle on a public way or bicycle path to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet. Bicyclists are considered vehicle operators and thus must obey the rules of the road such as traffic signs and signals. When riding in the street, bicyclists should ride in the same direction as traffic. Drivers and pedal cyclists must share the roads safely. Cyclists should wear reflective gear and ensure that they are highly visible to motorists, especially at night. According to NHTSA, six of the 334 total traffic fatalities in Massachusetts in 2009 were pedal cyclists. Nationwide, cyclists under age 16 accounted for 13 percent of the total killed and 20 percent of all those injured in vehicular traffic crashes in 2009. A bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of serious head and brain injury by as much as 90 percent. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 91 percent of bicyclists killed in 2008 were not wearing helmets. For more information on the bicycle helmet law and bicycle safety tips, go to www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.
Date: May 11, 2011 Rochester Police Department Launches Special Statewide High-Visibility Click It or Ticket Enforcement BlitzMassachusetts is Getting Tough on All Drivers and Passengers in an Effort to Boost Seat Belt Use and Save Lives As part of a nationwide effort to save lives, the Rochester Police Department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD), the State Police and nearly 190 other local departments, is launching a high-visibility seat belt enforcement blitz called Click It or Ticket. The message is simple: Massachusetts drivers and passengers should always wear their seat belts or be ready to face the consequences. This special crackdown, beginning May 23 and running through June 5, marks the first seat belt enforcement mobilization across the state this year, designed to increase seat belt use and decrease motor vehicle fatalities and injuries. Over 180 police departments and the State Police have adopted zero-tolerance policies for seat belt violations, signaling the increasing importance of the issue. "Too many people still have the reckless attitude that a crash will never happen to them," Chief Paul H. Magee. "Unfortunately these tragedies can and do happen every day, and the best way to protect yourself is by wearing a seat belt." According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), based on known usage, 52 percent of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts during 2009 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, three percent higher than the national average. A lot of people shrug off the statistics because they see themselves as good drivers," said Chief Magee, "but they forget that they can get hurt because of other reckless drivers. Your best defense is to buckle up." That's why the Rochester Police Department applied for a federal grant from EOPSS/HSD along with their national, statewide and local partners to conduct this special Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization. Funded by EOPSS/HSD through a federal grant, stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted in late May and early June. So remember, if you are pulled over for violating traffic laws, law enforcement will be checking to make sure drivers and passengers are wearing their seat belts. No more excuses. Click It or Ticket. For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety. * According to NHTSA, all numbers and percentages referencing belted or unbelted fatalities are based on "Known Usage."
Date: May 2, 2011 Rochester Police Department and Plymouth County Sheriff Bring New Service For People with Autism and Alzheimer's To RochesterSafetyNet by LoJack Service Will Help the Rochester Police Department and Plymouth County Sheriff's Department Protect Rochester Residents with Autism and Alzheimer's from the Dangers of Wandering A new service that works directly with local law enforcement and is designed for people with autism and Alzheimer's who are at risk of wandering is now available in Rochester. The Rochester Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff's Department, and LoJack SafetyNet have worked together to bring the SafetyNet by LoJack service to the community. The SafetyNet service provides law enforcement with the tools and training to more effectively find and rescue individuals who could or are prone to wandering and becoming lost. It also helps caregivers provide an added layer of protection for loved ones with cognitive conditions from the life-threatening behavior of wandering. Twenty Deputies from the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department and staff from the Rochester Police Department have been trained and certified on the SafetyNet service, as well as equipped with search and rescue equipment. They can now use the SafetyNet service to find and rescue people at risk who go missing. The service will be used to supplement traditional search and rescue operations conducted by Rochester Police and regional SEMLEC Search and Rescue Team. "This is a great tool to help us protect residents with Autism and Alzheimer's from the dangers of wandering," Chief Paul H. Magee said. "I have used the equipment myself and I was very impressed with how effective it is." The SafetyNet Search and Rescue Receivers, certified training and ongoing support were provided at no cost to the Rochester Police or taxpayers. How the SafetyNet Service Works Once a caregiver enrolls their loved one in the service, they receive a SafetyNet Bracelet, which is worn by the person at risk typically on their wrist or ankle. The caregiver provides information about the client to assist in search and rescue, which is then entered into a secure database. LoJack SafetyNet provides 24x7 emergency caregiver support. The SafetyNet Bracelet constantly emits a Radio Frequency signal. Radio Frequency is the technology of choice because, unlike cellular and GPS technology, its signal doesn't rely on cellular networks or satellite signals and can often be tracked when a client wanders into a shallow body of water, a densely wooded area, a concrete structure such as a garage, or a building constructed with steel. The Search and Rescue Receivers used by law enforcement agencies can detect the Radio Frequency signal emitted from a SafetyNet Bracelet typically within a range of approximately one mile in on-the-ground searches and 5-7 miles in searches by helicopter. The SafetyNet certified training for law enforcement agencies focuses on its specialized electronic equipment, technology, procedures and on how to effectively communicate with and approach individuals who have cognitive conditions. SafetyNet's secure database contains information on each individual client enrolled in the service so that the search and rescue team can have information on the individual's personal habits and how he or she should be approached, spoken to and comforted. More Information For more information about the SafetyNet service, please call 877-4-FINDTHEM (877-434-6384), or visit www.lojack.com/safetynet or www.pcsdma.org
Date: April 1, 2011 Rochester Police Nab Trio with Stolen Truck and TrailersOn 3/28/11 at 11:56pm Rochester Police Sergeant William Chamberlain observed a pickup truck pulling a utility trailer which had no tail lights travelling south on Walnut Plain Road in the area of Mary's Pond Road. As the officer turned his cruiser around to stop the vehicle, the operator pulled off the roadway and onto the lawn of a residence. The operator and several occupants fled into the woods from the vehicle. Rochester and Marion Police along with K-9 from the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department searched the woods but were unable to locate the suspects. Investigation revealed that the 2000 Toyota Tundra valued at $8000 had been stolen earlier in the night from an auto dealership on Route 44 in Taunton. The license plate on the Tundra had been stolen off a Toyota truck registered to a Taunton resident living near the dealership. The trailer, valued at $5000 that the truck was towing was registered to R.F. Morse on Cranberry Highway in Rochester. When Wareham and Rochester Police checked that business, they discovered that front gate had been driven through and the trailer had been stolen. As the investigation continued overnight and into the next morning, a Rochester Police Officer on his way to work spotted three suspicious men walking on North Street in Mattapoisett. The group was in dark clothing, wearing gloves, and appeared to be wet. Having knowledge of the earlier incident, the officer called Mattapoisett Police for assistance and encountered the group. Two of the individuals provided police with false names and all three gave different accounts of where they were coming from and what they were doing. Police eventually identified the suspects as Steven Vultao, 35, of Clark Street in New Bedford, Jeffrey Lapalme, 34, of Central Street in Seekonk, and Shaun Cabral, 25, of Phillips Street in New Bedford. Vultao and Lapalme were arrested on outstanding warrants and transported to the Rochester Police Station for booking on the warrants and further questioning. Cabral was transported to the Mattapoisett Police Station, questioned, and released. All three have lengthy criminal records including numerous charges for breaking & entering and larceny. Vultao and Lapalme were later transported to Wareham District Court on the warrants. Lapalme was held and transported to the Bristol County House of Corrections and Vultao was released. While Rochester police continued their investigation during the day, Wareham Police located another utility trailer valued at $5000 stolen from R.F. Morse in the parking lot of Peppin's Liquors on Cranberry Highway in Wareham. After interviewing suspects, victims, and reviewing video surveillance from a number of locations, Rochester Police have filed charges against the three men for three of counts larceny of a motor vehicle, three counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, displaying number plate to conceal vehicle identity, two counts of trespass with motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property over $250, receiving stolen property under $250, and conspiracy. Lapalme was additionally charged with operating a motor vehicle after license suspension. The investigation is ongoing. Additional charges may be filed and additional persons may be charged.
Date: February 14, 2011 Rochester Police Warn Residents About Attempted House BreakThe Rochester Police Department is warning residents about an attempted house break in town. Today, police responded to the 100 block of New Bedford Road for an alarm sounding. Upon arrival at the residence, police found that someone attempted to pry and kick in the door to the home. In doing so, the suspects set off the alarm and fled prior to the arrival of police. Rochester Police are asking for the public to help by reporting suspicious persons and vehicles immediately and to keep an extra eye out. Police offer the following prevention tips:
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