24-year-old Male Was Threatening To Take His Own Life

A release from the Wakefield Police Department and Chief Richard Smith:

On March 1st we responded to a residence where officers were met by family members of a 24-year-old male that were concerned for his safety and well-being. It was reported that this individual suffers from several mood disorders, and was currently at an unknown location threatening to take his own life. Officers immediately began to make phone contact with this individual while also contacting the phone carrier for exigent circumstances. They were able to “ping” the phone coordinates in the city of Salem, MA. Shortly thereafter he was located by Salem PD and taken to the hospital for evaluation.

On March 5th Officer John Whaley was monitoring traffic on Water Street when he observed a Ford Escape pass by him with a red inspection sticker, which indicates the vehicle failed inspection for a safety defect. He attempted to conduct a stop in the area of Montrose Avenue, however the vehicle failed to stop and continued into Saugus. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and he approached the driver’s side window. It was soon determined that the male operator had a suspended license as he was taken into custody. A male passenger was also to be found in possession of a counterfeit $100 bill and a female passenger was found to be in possession of heroin. All three will be facing charges through Malden District Court.

On March 9th officers responded to Auburn Street for a report of a small fire on the front porch of a vacant home. After the fire was extinguished, it was determined that a chair had been set on fire and appeared to have been done intentionally. Sgt. Detective Rick DiNanno, Det. Jack Ryan, and Off. Amy Rando began an investigation that let them to a possible female suspect that previously resided on Emerson Street. After obtaining video footage from a building in the area and an interview of the suspect, the 37-year-old female was charged with arson.

On March 16th Officer Russell Carman was monitoring traffic when he observed a handicap school bus stop at the corner of New Salem Street and Butler Avenue. He then observed numerous vehicles stop for the bus once its emergency lights were activated. As traffic built up, he observed a black Honda Civic drive past the school bus while its emergency lights were still activated. He then heard the school bus driver yell at the operator as she was still helping children get settled inside of the bus. Officer Carman was able to make a traffic stop in the area and approached the male operator.

It was determined that this individual did not possess a valid license, and he will be facing a criminal charge for Unlicensed Operation along with a civil infraction of Failure to Stop for a School Bus.