Franklin Police help Middlesex District Attorney with Large Scale Burglary Ring

The following press release comes from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office regarding a large scale burglary ring involving 25 towns including Franklin:

Three Plead Guilty in Connection with Large Scale Burglary Ring that Executed 43 Breaks Across 25 Towns

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police Geoffrey Noble announced that three defendants, Jovan Lemon, 30, of Providence RI, Paul Lemon, 31, of Warwick RI, and Steven Berdugo, 29, of Providence RI, pleaded guilty last week in Middlesex Superior Court in connection with 43 break-ins across 25 towns in Massachusetts between 2018 and 2024.   

Franklin Police help Middlesex District
Attorney with Large Scale Burglary Ring

An additional defendant, Jovan and Paul Lemon both pleaded guilty to thirty-two counts of unarmed burglary and three counts of breaking and entering a dwelling house in the daytime with intent to commit a felony. Steven Berdugo pleaded guilty to seven counts of unarmed burglary. Judge Patrick Haggan sentenced Jovan Lemon to 10 to 13 years committed in the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Paul Lemon and Steven Berdugo were both scheduled to 9 to 12 years committed in the Massachusetts House of Correction.

“Today these three defendants pled guilty to their role in a sophisticated and calculated scheme that targeted victims based upon their ethnicity and caused fear and pain in our Indian and South Asian communities.  The defendants believed that households of these families were more likely to contain precious metals, jewelry and other valuable heirlooms,” said District Attorney Ryan. “These defendants were disciplined about concealing their identity and used technology, including Wi-Fi jammers, to execute their plans.   Despite these challenges, local law enforcement agencies worked diligently and collaboratively to identify the perpetrators and, in some cases, to recover a significant amount of jewelry and other property,” said District Attorney Ryan.

“The Massachusetts State Police remains committed to disrupting organized crime because of its enormous effect on community safety and residents’ quality of life,” said Colonel Geoffrey Noble. “I commend sworn and professional members assigned to the Commonwealth Fusion Center and our partner agencies who used their training and skill to achieve justice. This case illustrates the ability of Massachusetts law enforcement to work together, share information in complex cases, and take action on behalf of victims.”

The defendants were directly indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on April 18, 2024 for their role in a scheme that targeted homes in the communities of Billerica, Boxborough, Carlisle, Easton, Hopkinton, Lincoln, Weston, Sudbury, Andover, Bellingham, Boxford, Franklin, Hudson, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk, Sharon, Southborough, Wenham, and Westwood between July 21, 2018 and March 30, 2024.

Property reported stolen in the breaks included many pieces of jewelry set with diamonds and other gems, with values of individual pieces up to approximately $75,000 and large quantities of cash.  In several instances, the property had been secured in locked safes, weighing up to 400 pounds, which the perpetrators removed from the residence along with the stolen valuables.

The aggregate reported value of the stolen property exceeds $4 million.

These convictions are the result of a nine-month investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Division of Homeland Security, including the MACrimeNet program operated by the MSP Fusion Center. 

Other partners included the Police Departments from Andover, Billerica, Bellingham, Boxborough, Boxford, Carlisle, Easton, Franklin, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Littleton, Medway, Middleton, Millis, North Attleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Seekonk, Sharon, Southborough, Sudbury, Wenham, Weston and Westwood in Massachusetts; Avon, CT; East Lyme, CT and Connecticut State Police; Barrington, RI, Cranston, RI and Lincoln RI; and Nashua, NH.   Additional assistance was provided by law enforcement in Holliston, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Walpole, Wellesley and Westborough, MA; Cranston, Cumberland, Providence and West Warwick, RI; and the United States Marshals Service/RISP Task Force.

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Middlesex Assistant District Attorneys Michael Klunder and Graham Van Epps. The victim witness advocate is Anne Foley.

Middlesex Press Release ->

https://www.middlesexda.com/press-releases/news/three-plead-guilty-connection-large-scale-burglary-ring-executed-43-breaks

Massachusetts State Police announce the successful implementation of Safety Cloud (video)

Massachusetts State Police (@MassStatePolice) posted Tue, May 06, 2025:

Today (05/06/25), the Massachusetts State Police announced the successful implementation of Safety Cloud, an integrated notification system that alerts drivers to nearby emergency vehicles with activated lights and sirens.

Video link with summary  -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DuEiPIhWL8 

You can read more about the platform here: https://t.co/TwxLGdwVQ1

Shared from ->  https://t.co/eJqw5BUVpM

"Based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, and other evidence gathered throughout last night and this morning, they collectively determined that the fire was intentionally set"

See the following statement from @massdfs : https://www.mass.gov/news/fire-in-franklin-church-being-investigated-as-arson 

UPDATE: The ATF this afternoon informed State Police fire investigators that they would match up to $5,000 in Arson Watch Reward Program funds in connection with last night’s fire. That would raise the maximum reward for information to $10,000.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call 1-800-682-9229.

the maximum reward for information to $10,000

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhCvnZR1k0/

The Boston Globe also provides coverage of the fire and arson investigation -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/24/metro/franklin-church-fire-arson/

Mass State Police announce sobriety checkpoint for an unidentified location in Norfolk County on Saturday, Sep 30

Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) posted on Mon, Sep 25, 2023:  

Mass State Police

Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that a

"Sobriety Checkpoint" will be implemented by the Massachusetts State Police on a Public Way in the Counties named below. The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public's awareness to the need of detecting and removing those motorists who

operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways. 

It will be operated during varied hours: the selection of vehicles will not be arbitrary: safety will be assured: and any inconveniences to motorists will be minimized advance notice to reduce fear and anxiety. 

THANKS TO A GRANT PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF GRANTS AND RESEARCH OF THE MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY, A "SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT" WILL BE HELD IN THE COUNTIES LISTED BELOW COUNTY 

Norfolk 

DATE = Saturday, September 30, 2023 into Sunday, October 1, 2023

Shared from -> https://t.co/4cThQ3vdsj

Child car seat installed or inspected in Whitinsville on Saturday

Child car seat installed or inspected in Whitinsville on Saturday

"This Saturday, join our partners from @MassStatePolice at the MSP Museum and Learning Center in Whitinsville to have your child's car seat installed or checked for FREE!"

 
#babyonboard https://t.co/Y1o1aFPWff

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/mass_ogr/status/1692174801916559555

First responder event at Franklin Nutrition - Apr 9 from 9 AM to noon

"Join us this Saturday, April 9th from 9am-12pm at Franklin Nutrition!"

First responder event at Franklin Nutrition - Apr 9 from 9 AM to noon

Shared from  https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1511866284379676679

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

Join for "coffee with a cop" at Franklin Nutrition, 5 West Central St on Friday, Aug 6 from 9 AM - Noon

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/162770995915/posts/10157736051160916/

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

Tri-County Metal Fabrication Students Build Battering Rams for the Massachusetts State Police

When a hostile situation occurs, speed of entry may be the most important aspect to gain control and ensure optimal safety. Tactical entry equipment, also known as Battering Rams, allow police to quickly gain access to both criminals and to victims during rescue operations. Yesterday, the Massachusetts State Police Special Operations - STOP Team received thirteen one-man Battering Rams designed and fabricated by students in the Metal Fabrication career program at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School.

The initial project was to design a lighter and smaller Battering Ram that could be used by a single police officer and could be easily transferred via a police vehicle. Under the direction of Robert Pierangeli, Tri-County Metal Fabrication Instructor, students Robert Corcoran, a senior from North Attleboro and two juniors, Trevor Walsh of Plainville and Bruce Farrand of Wrentham, were asked to work on the project as they are American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welders.

“We are pleased to have partnered with the Massachusetts State Police to design and fabricate the Battering Rams,” said Cathie Rebelo, Director of Vocational Programs. “This project has given our metal fabrication students valuable hands-on experience in reinforcing their existing skills while working with new technology with the added value of helping the community.”

Tri-County Metal Fabrication Students Build Battering Rams for the Massachusetts State Police

The students began the project by making an initial prototype according to the specifications and measurements provided. Once it was finished, they sent photos to their contact at the Massachusetts State Police for feedback. Updated specifications were sent back to the students who then made it to the dimensions required including adding special hand guards. 

The students used a CNC Plasma Cutter to cut the half-inch steel plates for the face of the Ram and quarter-inch steel plates for the back of the Ram to seal it off. They had to cut out the hand guards to match the type of handles that were needed. Then they tack welded the prototype. Once approved, the students moved forward with producing the Battering Rams.

“The Tri-County School District would like to thank the Massachusetts State Police for providing our students with such a rich and innovative project,” said Stephen Dockray, Superintendent-Director. “We continue to look for opportunities from our state and municipal agencies that will give students the valuable real-world experience in their curriculum.”

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

"citizens of Massachusetts depend on state and federal agencies to work together"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts State Police, US Coast Guard, local police and fire departments, federal public safety officials, private sector partners such as Gillette Stadium and Boston Harbor Cruises, the Massachusetts National Guard and representatives from other states prepare for a training exercise that will test the procedures and processes of these agencies by stressing them with large scale disaster and domestic threat scenarios. 

To keep the integrity of the scenarios for the first responders and those involved in the exercise, the times, locations and type of disaster or threat have not been disclosed to the public. The responders will need to react as they would in a real-life situation - with no prior notice. 

“This type of stress test is what we need to be prepared to support government and private entities during a real world disaster,” said Col. Margaret C. White, the director of military support for the Massachusetts National Guard, in a press release. “I am confident that this exercise will make us collectively stronger, more focused and more effective than ever before.” 

The National Guard said there will be five training locations statewide."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181104/massachusetts-national-guard-says-5-homeland-security-training-exercises-will-occur

Franklin Saving Lives During "Click It or Ticket"

The Franklin Police Department, in partnership with the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Massachusetts State Police, and more than 200 Massachusetts police departments, will take part in the national Click It or Ticket campaign between May 9th and May 23rd. This high-visibility enforcement campaign will promote seat belt use through increased traffic enforcement. The campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Our goal is to save lives,” said Deputy Chief Thomas Lynch. “As we kick-off the busy summer driving season, it is crucial that all motorists buckle up every time they go out, day and night – no excuses. Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers who have neglected to properly buckle their children.”

Franklin Police

The national seat belt usage rate is 88.5% (NHTSA). Massachusetts is falling behind at 74%, with a 3% reduction in usage rate between 2014 and 2015.

In Massachusetts, many fatally injured occupants are unbuckled. According to NHTSA, in 2014, nearly half of the 21,022 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes across the country were unrestrained.

“While these may just sound like statistics, local police know from personal experience that those numbers represent mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends in Franklin,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the Highway Safety Division. “If we increase our seat belt usage rate, we save lives, and that’s why the police are out enforcing this important law.”

As part of the Click It or Ticket mobilization, at 6:00 pm on May 23rd, state and local police departments including Franklin will join law enforcement agencies across the East Coast in mobilizing the “Border to Border” Operation. This initiative provides increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what state, no matter what time.

Click It or Ticket

• This was shared from the Franklin Police Department

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PoliceNews/023D9ABF-000F8513.0/May2016TrafficCampaign.pdf