Tewksbury Men Arrested on Theft, Other Charges in Salem

SALEM, NH — During the course of six hours last night and this morning, two Massachusetts men allegedly involved in a shoplifting incident at Sears were captured and charged by Salem Police, according to a press statement. William M. Ward, 32, pictured left, of Tewksbury, MA, was arrested on Feb. 15, 2017, and charged with willful concealment, criminal trespass, and resisting arrest and detention. Also arrested on Feb. 16, 2017, was Joshua Bishop-Sullivan, 29, also of Tewksbury, MA, was arrested for felony receiving stolen property – due to previous convictions – and five outstanding warrants.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

According to Capt. Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department, officers were called to Sears at the Mall at Rockingham Park for a report of two shoplifters allegedly fleeing from loss prevention employees. The employees alleged that the men climbed a fence to the closed racetrack nearby.

“Responding officers observed one of the identified suspects and ordered him to stop running,” Dolan alleged. “The male refused and ran deeper into the property.”

K-9 Dash and his officer were called in and were able to track one of the suspects between several buildings that were in various states of demolition.

“The K-9 followed the scent to a building where officers determined the male had entered,” Dolan stated. “Numerous attempts were made to have the male exit, all of which were refused.”

Dash was deployed into the building, reportedly located the man – later identified as Ward – at the top of stairs, “hiding behind several boxes,” and he was arrested.

“Ward did suffer minor injuries during the apprehension,” Dolan noted. “He was treated and released from Parkland Medical Center.”

Ward refused bail and was held.

At just before 2:30 a.m. this morning, dispatch received a request for an ambulance to the racetrack for a report of a man who said that his friends had left him behind and he thought he might have frostbite, according to Dolan.

“Responding officers knew the second suspect from the earlier shoplifting had not been located,” Dolan alleged. “Officers arrived just after the fire department and observed a male matching the shoplifting suspect’s description. The male was wet and cold from the exposure. Upon speaking with him, they confirmed he was the male involved in the theft and still had the merchandise on his person.”

The suspect – Bishop-Sullivan – also had numerous outstanding warrants. He refused treatment, and was processed and held.

Ward and Bishop-Sullivan were arraigned today.