Police arrested Thomas Paglieroni, 20, of 203 Davis Road, Ashby and charged him with aggravated assault, a felony, and resisting arrest.

At about 7:42 p.m. on Thursday night, police received an abandoned 911 call from 203 Davis Road. Officer Derek Pepple responded to check that everything was alright and he was met at the front of the house by Paglieroni who was yelling at the officer and denying him entry to the house despite the officer hearing Paglieroni's grandfather telling him to let the police in.

Once inside the house Paglieroni took up a fighting stance then ran to a bedroom. He emerged with a machete and held it in a threatening manner refusing all commands to drop it. Officer Pepple pepper sprayed Paglieroni who ran into a bathroom and locked himself inside with his grandmother.

Another Ashby officer arrived as well as officers from Townsend and New Ipswich Police Departments. The grandmother was let out of the bathroom and after several minutes Paglieroni was talked out of the bathroom and taken into custody.

Ashby Police Chief Paul H. Lundin praised how Officer Pepple handled the situation and said that it points out the danger that officers face in small towns where back-up is far away. Lundin said, "happily we are reporting on an arrest this morning and not something more tragic."

Paglieroni was held on $5040 cash bail and appeared in Ayer District Court on Friday.

All residents are urged to take extra security precautions and call police immediately about any suspicious activity. Suspects may knock on doors to see if anyone is home. There are no suspect or vehicle descriptions at this time.

Over the past three weeks three cars were stolen from driveways, only to be recovered a short distance away undamaged. There were also incidents where unlocked cars were entered and items including cell phones and tools were stolen. All of the crimes occurred in a small area of a quiet neighborhood.

Police conducted extra patrols, a crime prevention campaign through emails and flyers, and an investigation. They eventually focused on Pease who lives nearby. All of the cars and some of the other property have been recovered. Pease has so far been charged with receiving stolen property more that $250 (felony), larceny less than $250 (misdemeanor), and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle(felony).

If you have any suggestions how to improve this event and make it safer next year, please e-mail the Chief at PLundin@AshbyPolice.org.

Residents are urged to lock their cars and take their keys. Report any unusual activity to the Ashby Police at 978-386-5652.

On Sunday, October 26th, residents of Fort Hill Road arrived home after an overnight trip and found a woman sitting in their car with the engine running and stolen items from the house on the passenger seat. The homeowner challenged the woman who fled and he then called police.

While checking the area, Officer Brian Vautour spotted a woman who fit the description. She was found to be in possession of an item from the house. She was arrested on Hosmer Road.

Further investigation showed that the house had also been broken into and items were stolen. The woman was held to appear in Ayer District Court on Monday.

Residents are urged to lock their cars and take their keys. Call the police if you see any suspicious activity or have any information regarding these crimes.

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Officer Alden's actions exemplifies this department's core value of service.

Email the chief with your comments and suggestions at chief@ashbypolice.org

Residents are reminded that it gets dark earlier this time of year. Homeowners who are at work during the day should consider leaving some lights on if they plan on returning home after dark.

Barnes was charged with speeding, failing to stop for a police officer, and possession of a class D substance. He was held on bail to appear at Ayer District Court.

Help us help you. Stay informed and make Ashby a safer community. Sign up for email alerts by clicking on the button to the right. Tell your friends and neighbors about our website and the email alerts.

The course included classroom and practical exercises aimed at safe vehicle operation in emergency response situations. The practical exercises included backing, quick response skills, lane change, and serpentine maneuvers.

With their completion of the course, all Ashby officers have had EVOC training within the past year.

The Ashby Police Department urges all residents to remove valuables and lock your cars.

--LOCK CAR DOORS

--Remove valuables from parked cars, especially GPS units, ipods, dvd players and other popular items.

--Use motion sensor security lights on your home.

--Report suspicious activity to the police, immediately.

--Encourage friends and neighbors to sign up for email alerts to stay informed and help us help you.

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 11,2008. Report of another theft from a vehicle in the same area overnight.

Residents are urged to lock their cars, park in well lit areas, and report any suspicious activity to the Ashby Police.

John William Carignan, 55, of Fitchburg, MA was arrested Friday evening after an accident on Erickson Road. He was charged with OUI liquor 2nd offense.

Luis Nelson Rosado, 54, of Fitchburg, MA was arrested Saturday night after a patrol officer saw him driving erratically. He was charged with OUI, operating after suspension, and open container of alcohol.

Detective John Dillon made observations while on routine patrol that alerted him to probable illegal activity at a rented garage on Taylor Road in Ashby.

Working with the Massachusetts State Police Task Force on Auto Theft and the Environmental Police, he obtained a search warrant for the garage and seized four cars and four ATVs on July 1. Three cars and one ATV are confirmed stolen from Fitchburg, Boston, and Athol. The status of the other vehicles remains under investigation

An arrest warrant was issued for Costa and he surrendered himself at Ayer District Court on Tuesday, July 8.

Costa has been charged with four counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle, one count of altered vehicle identification number, and one count of unlicensed used car sales.

Chief Paul H. Lundin said, "Detective Dillon should be commended for making perceptive patrol observations and following up with a thorough investigation. Costa may have thought that he could fly under the radar in a remote location, but he was wrong."

The Ashby Police thank the Massachusetts State Police and Environmental Police for their assistance in this investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions on Massachusetts New Booster Seat Law

Why does my Child Need a Booster Seat?

Beginning July 10, 2008 a booster seat is required by law for children 5-7 years of age or until they reach 4'9" in height in the state of Massachusetts.

A booster seat helps your child fit correctly in your vehicle's safety belt. It positions the lap belt on the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest, providing the greatest amount of protection.

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of children between the ages of 4-8. Booster seats can reduce those injury rates by 58% over seat belt use for that age group.

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Chief Lundin was invited to their cookout where he gave a brief presentation on bicycle safety. Principal Anne Cromwell-Gapp and fifth grade teachers, Miss Grimshaw and Mrs. Woodward, helped with handing out 30 helmets.

This was made possible through a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety.

Click here for more information about ATV laws and safety.

Police were called to a party on West Road when they encountered the youths in the driveway with beer. The youths fled the area. Officers determined that there was a supervised party going on and the youths were in a different area of the property. Through investigation the officers identified and charged the six youths.

Officers seized over 50 full beers and a bottle of rum and found many empties in the area that the youths had gathered.

The six youths charged were all between 17-19 years of age and from Tewksbury, Reading, Marblehead, Concord, and Milton.

Chief Lundin said that "this behavior causes too many tragedies; we will continue to enforce these laws in the hopes of preventing more serious crimes". He added that "if parents plan on leaving a teenager alone this summer, they can call [Chief Lundin] to arrange for special checks of the house to prevent unsupervised parties".

Read the related article in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Chief Paul H. Lundin credited Dillon with initiating the idea and Association President Pepple with rallying the troops.

While there is usually a fee to dispose of tires, Detective Dillon partnered with Pete Bezanson of Pete's Auto Service, who offered to dispose of the tires free of charge. Dillon then approached the Chief about organizing a cleanup. Shortly thereafter the town announced its cleanup day, and the association decided to join in that effort.

The officers worked in two teams, one concentrating on tires throughout the town, and the other picking up garbage along Rindge Road.

Chief Lundin pointed out that cleaning up trash and tires goes beyond just tidying up. "When people see garbage and piles of tires along the road they may get the impression that the town doesn't care about what happens and they may be more likely to add to the trash or even commit more serious crimes," Lundin said.

The spirit of the officers was contagious. A town resident and state trooper saw them at work and joined them on the spot.

Chief Lundin commended the officers and stated that, "this is just one example of their dedication to the town's residents."

The Police Department encourages anyone with information to call the Ashby Police at 978-386-5652 or send an anonymous tip on this website.

Patrolman Fred Alden addressed the 4th and 5th grade computer classes at AES. He taught the children about how to protect themselves when online and how to involve their parents in their online experiences.

Patrolman Alden also gave an evening class at the Ashby Police Station for parents to increase their awareness of such topics as social networking sites, commonly used text messaging acronyms, parental controls, and setting rules for computer use.

This program was made possible through the Massachusetts Community Policing Grant.

Patrolman Derek Pepple was on patrol when he saw a car driving at a high rate of speed on Fitchburg State Road. When he tried to pull the car over it accelerated and eventually drove down Hosmer Road and into a driveway. While Patrolman Pepple was handcuffing the driver, he noticed the car rolling backwards towards the police cruiser. He was able to control the driver and hold back the car until a second Ashby officer arrived to assist.

Chrisopher Rauer, 18, of Fitchburg was charged with multiple traffic offenses, possession of an alcoholic beverage under 21, and possession of marijuana. He was released on bail.

WHEN A BEAR IS SEEN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD

If a bear is sighted in town leave the animal alone. Keep dogs under control. Keep crowds away and avoid following the animal. Pursuit not only stresses the animal but it adds the risk of having a bear chased out into traffic or into a group of bystanders. In most situations, the animal will fade back into the forest.

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To learn more go to fakechecks.org

On that date Officer Dillon was driving home in his assigned cruiser after work. He saw a motorcyclist riding without a helmet, stopped her, and issued a citation. However, he sympathized with her predicament so he retrieved his own spare helmet and lent it to the motorcyclist so she could continue on to New Hampshire.

The motorcyclist wrote to thank Officer Dillon and she described an "incredibly pleasant and professional experience," despite the citation.

Residents are encouraged to lock their cars, use exterior motion sensor lighting, and call the police if they notice anything suspicious in their neighborhoods.

After searching the immediate area with negative results the Ashby Fire Department assisted by using their thermal imager to scan a nearby wooded area. Firefighter Chris Haas used a thermal imager and located a heat source in the treeline which allowed the police officer to find the woman and give her the care that she needed.

The quick-thinking and teamwork of both departments, and the use of modern equipment led to the successful resolution of a potentially dangerous situation. Congratualations to the Police and Fire department members on a job well done.

New Study Reveals More Than 3 Million Adolescents and Young Adults Have Used Non-Prescription Cough and Cold Medicines to Get High at Least Once in Their Lifetimes

The level is comparable to LSD, and more than the reported use of methamphetamines, among those aged 12 to 25. White youths were more than three times as likely as Black youths to have misused these drugs during the past year.

About 3.1 million people in the United States aged 12 to 25 (5.3 percent of this age group) have used over-the-counter (non-prescription) cough and cold medicines to get high at least once in their lifetimes, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

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Officer Fred Alden was thanked by a Townsend resident for his "hospitality" when he assisted her with a vehicle lock-out. He was also thanked by a town resident for finding an open door on a HouseWatch.

Officer Derek Pepple was recognized by an Ashby resident for his mastery of firearms licensing which simplified the process for the resident.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Ashby Police at 978-386-5652 or send in a tip through the website.

The home is on West State Road in Ashby. The crime is being investigated by Ashby Police and the Massachusetts State Police.

Officer Fred Alden was on patrol in the area of Fitchburg State and Greenville Roads with knowledge of a vehicle with improper plates that had been in the area on the prior day. He spotted the white pickup truck but lost sight of it as it drove away. A short time later he found the truck abandoned in a driveway on Main Street. Upon searching neighboring yards he found a woman hiding in a parked truck. The woman, Ashley Flagg, 23, was arrested on warrants. Ashby officers were assisted by Townsend Police but could not locate the other two occupants of the truck.

This is a good example of residents and police working together to make our neighborhoods safer.

Residents are reminded to be vigilant and report suspicious persons to the police. Some daytime burglars knock on doors to see if anyone is home and if someone answers they make an excuse such as being lost. All such suspicious incidents should be reported to police immediately.

For various publications on home security check out the Nationl Crime Prevention Council

If you have any knowledge of who may have committed this crime please call the Ashby Police at 978-386-5652 or send us an anonymous tip through this website.

Click here for metal theft prevention information.

Two charged in drug activity on Route 119

ASHBURNHAM: Months of watching suspected drug activity along Route 119 and surrounding rural roads has resulted in the arrests of a Lawrence man and a New Hampshire man by the North Worcester County Drug Task Force.

According to the task force, the men, Nestor Berroa of 196 Bailey St., Lawrence; and Lance Curavoo, of 20 Tarbox Court, Marlborough, N.H., no ages given, were seen daily along the route, in two separate cars.

Police said they would meet with customers from Vermont and New Hampshire, who would distribute cocaine and heroin to cities and towns throughout Southern Vermont and New Hampshire.

Undercover task force officers made several buys from the alleged dealers.

On Friday, , task force detectives, along with detectives from Ashby and Rindge, N.H., waited for Mr. Berroa and Mr. Curavoo to arrive in Ashburnham, via Route 119. They were arrested, and large amounts of cocaine heroin, and cash were seized from the cars.

Mr. Berroa is charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin, and trafficking in heroin. Mr. Curavoo is charged with possession of heroin.

Comeau was charged with Wanton Destruction of Property, Disturbing the Peace, and Breaking and Entering at Nighttime for Felony.

We would like to thank the following retailers for putting the cannisters in their stores; The 31 Store, The Gardener's Cottage, and Mr. Mike's. Through their combined efforts the spare change drive resulted in a donation of over $100.

Thanks Ashby!

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On that date, the New Ispswich (NH) Police Department broadcast a description of a two-tone blue Chevy Suburban wanted in connection with a theft that had just occurred in their town.

Ashby Police Officer Fred Alden began searching the area and quickly located a matching vehicle on Main Street. The Suburban was occupied by two brothers; Robert Hurst, 49 of Goffstown, NH, and Jeffrey Hurst, 46, of Washington, NH. Jeffrey Hurst was arrested on two outstanding warrants for Receiving Stolen Property.

New Ispwich Police arrived on scene and identified a box of collectable baseball cards and other property as belonging to the victim. Both brothers were arrested by Ashby Police for Receiving Stolen Property.

The New Ipswich Police anticipate filing additional charges in New Hampshire.

Firearms and tactics training is done in-house and is completed in shorter, more frequent classes throughout the year.

Residents are encouraged to report traffic safety problems to the Ashby Police Department so that we can target our accident reduction efforts.

The Police Department can use the funds for wages and expenses related to community policing activities. Community policing involves strategies that include problem-solving tactics and community-police partnerships.

The Police Department plans to use the funds for internet-crime training, digital cameras, problem-solving patrols, and maintaining this website.

The Ashby Dispatch Department supports the Fire, Police, Highway, and EMS departments. Department head, Joyce Hopkins, managed the grant from the Statewide Emergency Telecommunications Board. The funds originally come from the E911 surcharge on cell phone bills. The grant paid for about $300,000 of state of the art equipment and installation. Hopkins also recently applied for and received a $5000 grant for dispatcher training in the new 911 equipment and domestic violence, suicide prevention, and advanced law enforcement dispatcher training.

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