347 People Arrested In Middlesex County On Felony Charges In 2016

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MA — More than 300 people with outstanding felony warrants were arrested by members of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit in 2016, wanted for wanted for charges including attempted murder, kidnapping for extortion, indecent assault and battery and firearms-related offenses.

“I want to thank and commend the members of the Warrant Apprehension Unit for their outstanding work in 2016,” said Sheriff Peter Koutoujian in an announcement from his office. “Thanks to their efforts, 347 individuals wanted by more than 80 different agencies were apprehended, enhancing the safety of all our communities.”

The Warrant Apprehension Unit is made up for four MSP deputies, one full-time Lowell Police Department detective and one member of the Bentley University Police Department. The unit primarily locates and apprehending fugitives wanted on felony warrants issued within Middlesex County. The unit also assists municipal police, the Massachusetts State Police and federal law enforcement agencies – including the U.S. Marshals Service – with locating and apprehending individuals wanted in other jurisdictions, said the release.

Those apprehended by the Warrant Apprehension Unit last year were wanted for charges including attempted murder, kidnapping for extortion, indecent assault & battery and firearms-related offenses.

“There are many things that contribute to making a city safe. One of them is having great partnerships,” said Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis in a statement. “The Malden Police Department and the good citizens of Malden have greatly benefited from the great friendship and support they have received from Sheriff Koutoujian and the dedicated efforts of the Warrant Apprehension Unit. Because of them, some of our most dangerous and high priority criminals have been apprehended. We are made safer every day because of their noble service.”

Additionally, deputies successfully completed 15 renditions, returning individuals to Massachusetts from as far away as Arizona and Texas to face charges ranging from witness intimidation to rape.

Among those returned to the Commonwealth to face charges was a 43-year-old Texas man wanted in connected with 2004 sexual assault in Somerville.

“The collaborative partnership that exists across state and municipal agencies with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Warrant Apprehension Unit is essential to our core mission as law enforcement agencies to protect public safety. We are grateful for the hard work of the team and their commitment to ensuring individuals facing charges in Massachusetts are held accountable for their actions,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan in a statement.

In total, Warrant Apprehension Unit members cleared 629 warrants carrying, 799 felony charges, as well as an additional 737 misdemeanor charges.

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