Winthrop Police seized a loaded handgun, other weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia after a search. (Courtesy Photo/Winthrop Police Department)
WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department, after an investigation into drug distribution activity in the community, arrested a reputed drug dealer and seized weapons, drugs and an illegal handgun.
Lead investigator, Detective Andrew Biggio and members of the Winthrop Police Department, as a result of an investigation, obtained a search warrant for SHKAMB ROKA, AGE 29, OF WINTHROP and a vehicle registered to him.
On Wednesday, Nov, 23, at 2 p.m., Detective Biggio and other officers made a traffic stop of ROKA and his gray Volkswagen hatchback at the intersection of Bowdin
and Buchannan streets. ROKA was read his rights and detained during the search. Investigators found a folded up piece of aluminum foil with a white powdery substance later determined to be cocaine in the vehicle. Officers also found a bag on the passenger side of the vehicle containing a brownish powder believed to be Fentanyl as well as various other drugs including Xanax pulls, at least 16 oxycodone pills and a quantity of crack cocaine. Officers also found a scale, plastic bags, spoons, vials and other items used to package and distribute drugs.
Finally, officers found a plastic garbage bag full of laundry. At the bottom of the bag, police found a loaded Springfield 9mm semiautomatic handgun. ROKA is not licensed to own or carry firearms.
ROKA is known to police.
ROKA was placed under arrest without incident and charged with:
Unlawful Possession of Firearm without FID
Unlawful Possession of Ammo without FID
Possession with intent to distribute a Class B Substance (Two Counts)
Possession with intent to distribute a Class A Substance
Possession with intent to distribute a Class E Substance
ROKA was booked and held at the Winthrop Police Department pending his likely arraignment Friday at Boston Municipal Court, East Boston Division.
The firearm’s serial number and photos were sent to the ATF for further information on the weapon’s origin and history.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department is currently investigating a stabbing that occurred on Shirley Street Sunday night.
Just before 8 p.m., police responded to Shirley Street between Crystal Cove Street and Moore Street and located a male suffering from a stab wound. He was transported to an area hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.
Shirley Street between Crystal Cove Street and Moore Street is currently blocked off, and there is no bus service to the Point Shirley area. Motorists and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area.
Residents should expect to see a significant police presence in the area for the next several hours.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, but police do not believe that there is any danger to the public. No further information is being released at this time.
From left, Chief Terrence M. Delehanty, Town Manager Anthony Marino, Ray Green (brother of retired state Trooper David Green, who lost his life in the incident and was recognized posthumously), Sgt. Nicholas Bettano, Sgt. Sean Delehanty, Lt. Sarko Gergerian, Lt. Stephen Rogers, and Deputy Chief John Goodwin at the annual George L. Hanna Memorial Awards ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department)
Chief Terence M. Delehanty is pleased to announce that Sgt. Nicholas Bettano received Massachusetts law enforcement’s highest honor at the annual George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery.
Sgt. Nicholas Bettano was awarded the Medal of Honor by Gov. Charlie Baker and Hanna’s daughters on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
On June 26, 2021, Winthrop Police responded to an incident in which a suspect crashed a stolen box truck into a vehicle and building, then fatally shooting two bystanders.
Sgt. Nicholas Bettano receives the Medal of Honor from Gov. Baker during the annual George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department)
Sgt. Bettano was the first to arrive on scene, learning en route that he was responding to an active shooter incident. Upon arrival, a bystander directed Sgt. Bettano toward the suspect, whom he observed to be in possession of a handgun.
Sgt. Bettano assisted multiple bystanders to safety before making several attempts at commanding the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect aimed his firearm at Sgt. Bettano, forcing him to discharge his weapon. Sgt. Bettano wounded and ultimately killed the suspect, protecting the safety and security of himself and others.
The subsequent investigation revealed the suspect may have intended to crash the truck into a synagogue.
“Sgt. Bettano exhibited an immense amount of courage and bravery during this tragic incident, and I am proud of his dedication to keeping Winthrop safe,” said Chief Delehanty. “When faced with a dangerous threat he acted both professionally and heroically to neutralize a threat to our community. I am proud of Sgt. Bettano for his quick thinking, bravery, and ability to remain calm under immense pressure. His actions unquestionably saved lives.”
The Medal of Honor is awarded to officers who demonstrate actions above and beyond the call of duty, exhibiting extraordinary bravery and courage, while disregarding the potential for danger or great risk to themselves during the course of an individual incident.
Retired state Trooper David Green, one of the bystanders killed during the incident, was also recognized posthumously for his bravery in leaving the safety of his home and attempting to provide aid following the crash.
About the George L. Hanna Award
The Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery is an annual event named after George L. Hanna, a 10-year State Trooper who lost his life serving the Commonwealth on Feb. 26, 1983.
The Hanna Awards, which have been held annually since 1983, have become a symbol of prestige within both the law enforcement community and the Commonwealth as a whole. It is an opportunity to publicly recognize the bravery of members of the law enforcement community who put their lives on the line by dedicating themselves to safety throughout Massachusetts.
The Winthrop Beach reservation sign following an act of vandalism, after which a suspect was identified and charged. (Courtesy Photo Winthrop Police Department)
WINTHROP — Winthrop and Massachusetts State Police have identified a Middleton man as the person who repeatedly vandalized a sign on Winthrop Beach with a vulgar phrase and have summonsed the suspect to court to face criminal charges.
The sign, owned by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and located at 254 Winthrop Shore Drive, was tagged with a heavy marker on multiple dates, typically early on Sunday mornings, from August through October.
Winthrop Police Detectives obtained camera footage showing the suspect committing the crime and arriving and leaving from the area on foot. On October 24, an investigator identified the suspect as MARK EVANS, AGE 61, OF MIDDLETON.
“Crimes like these have a direct negative impact on the quality of life of our residents, which is why we take them very seriously,” Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty said. “I want to thank our officers and our partners at the Massachusetts State Police for their considerable effort in identifying and holding this individual responsible for his alleged actions.”
Winthrop Police shared the evidence and identification with the State Police-Revere Barracks, which has jurisdiction over DCR property. A Trooper contacted EVANS and arranged an interview of the suspect, which was conducted on Oct. 28 at the barracks.
Following the interview, and statements made by EVANS, police informed him he was being summonsed to appear in East Boston District Court on criminal charges of tagging property and malicious destruction of property under $1,200.
WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department has arrested and charged a Revere man with trafficking cocaine.
HERMES QUINTERO-DURANGO, AGE 49, of REVERE, was arrested and charged with:
Trafficking Over 200 Grams of Cocaine
Possession With Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, at about 11 a.m., Winthrop Police in collaboration with the Boston Police Department prepared to execute a search warrant of QUINTERO-DURANGO’s Revere apartment and property.
QUINTERO-DURANGO was observed driving in the East Boston area, and was stopped by Boston Police.
Boston Police discovered QUINTERO-DURANGO in possession of three bags of a rocky white substance later determined to be cocaine, and $1,708.
QUINTERO-DURANGO was arrested without incident and transported to Winthrop Police Headquarters.
Winthrop Police then executed the search warrant of QUINTERO-DURANGO’s apartment, locating 427.6 grams of what is believed to be cocaine. Upon further investigation officers found drug paraphernalia, scales, scissors, and plastic baggies.
Additionally, officers found a Colombian passport issued to QUINTERO-DURANGO, a figurine of movie drug lord “Scarface Tony Montana,” an autobiography of drug lord Pablo Escobar, and approximately $2,078.
QUINTERO-DURANGO was arraigned on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in East Boston District Court, and is being held on $150,000 bail.
“I would like to thank the Boston Police Department for their assistance with this investigation and acknowledge the great collaboration of both Winthrop and Boston officers,” said Chief Delehanty.
###
Winthrop Police, working with Boston Police, seized 430.6 grams of cocaine, approximately $3,786, drug paraphernalia, a copy of Pablo Escobar’s autobiography, and a “Scarface Tony Montana” figure. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department)
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Winthrop Police arrested and charged Hermes Quintero-Durango with trafficking cocaine. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department)
Chief Terence M. Delehanty and Health Director Meredith Hurley are pleased to share that the Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) program was selected by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to serve as one of eight mentor programs for other peer-to-peer recovery programs across the nation.
The BJA’s Peer Recovery Support Services Mentoring Initiative (PRSSMI) selects top peer-to-peer recovery programs from across the country to serve as examples that can support newer programs and agencies that are interested in starting programs by supporting program-to-program learning among organizations.
CLEAR was born in 2014 as a collaboration between Winthrop public safety agencies and Winthrop Department of Public Health and Clinical Services. The organization has expanded and developed in the years since, and now includes a robust, multidisciplinary team of service providers and helpers who wrap around community members struggling with mental health challenges, substance use issues, domestic violence, housing insecurity, and food scarcity.
Police, firefighters and public health personnel use police data to identify and find those struggling with substance use disorder, mental health issues, and domestic violence challenges and works to provide assistance and wrap-around services to those individuals in an effort to get them into recovery and to support them in the recovery process.
CLEAR, along with programs in California, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Alabama were selected as mentor programs this year after a vetting process that included an application and interviews.
Mentor programs will now be singled out to provide examples of best practices to those interested in starting new programs and those with programs in the early stages of development.
“In 2014, 21st Century Policing began in Winthrop, when Public Safety and Public Health partnered to help respond to the overdose crisis. With input from outside the box thinkers and people with lived experience, we developed a recovery-oriented community policing methodology, known as CLEAR, that utilizes police data for targeted interventions into the community to prevent people from ending up in cages and coffins,” said Lt. Sarko Gergerian, a founding member of CLEAR. “The multidisciplinary team of helpers that formed around this core mission work together to circle around any community member who accepts the help. It is an honor to be able to help others from across the United States to begin their own public safety and health partnerships and develop multidisciplinary teams of helpers that value individuals with lived experience.”
“We are pleased that the Bureau of Justice Assistance recognized CLEAR for it’s groundbreaking and effective work to curb the toll drug overdoses and substance use disorder on our community,” said Chief Delehanty. “I hope the hard work of our local organization will help others across the country overcome obstacles, identify best practices, and save lives.”
“CLEAR is doing vital, life-saving work in our community and we could not be more proud that our local effort will now provide an example to others around the country who are working to save lives from the scourges of substance use disorder and the mental health crisis,” said Director Hurley. “Our evidence-based practices and results-focused work continues to save lives locally, and we hope this type of programming will spread across the country.”
WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty is pleased to announce that residents can now sign up for the Winthrop Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy this fall.
This free program is open to Winthrop residents aged 18 and up. Classes will be held on Thursdays from Nov. 3 through Jan. 19, from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Lyceum Room at the E.B. Newton School Cultural Center, 45 Pauline St. Classes will not be held the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Various members of the Winthrop Police Department will lead classes in their fields of expertise during the 10 classes. Topics will include domestic violence, police exploring, motor vehicle law, patrol procedures, accidents, firearms, critical incidents, implicit bias, gangs, juveniles, as well as narcotics enforcement, prevention and treatment. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a ride-along with a Winthrop Police officer.
“Students will leave this class having learned a wide range of topics that are integral to everyday police work,” Chief Delehanty said. “We encourage anyone who is interested in connecting with our officers and learning more about what they do on a daily basis to apply to take part in this class.”
Residents are asked to drop off or mail a completed application to the Winthrop Police Department, 3 Metcalf Square. Mailed applications should be addressed to the care of Lt. Stephen Rogers. For those who prefer to complete the application virtually, please click here.
Residents will be notified by email if they have been accepted into the class. The class is limited to 20 participants.
The Winthrop Police Department will conduct a background check on applicants to determine their acceptance into the academy.
For more information, please contact Lt. Rogers by emailing srogers@town.winthrop.ma.us or calling 617-846-1212 ext. 2940.
Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department arrested and charged two men with trafficking fentanyl.
GABERIAL ARIAS, AGE 30, of SAUGUS, was arrested and charged with:
Winthrop Police, working with Everett Police and Saugus Police, seized over 100 grams of fentanyl and $500 from two men in connection to an ongoing investigation. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department)
Trafficking over 100 grams of a Class A Substance
Trafficking Fentanyl (Two Counts)
Distribution of Fentanyl (Two Counts)
PATRICE DEBNAM, AGE 30, of LYNN, was arrested and charged with:
Trafficking over 100 grams of a Class A Substance
On Monday, Sept 26, at approximately 11 a.m., members of the Winthrop Police Department and the Winthrop Criminal Investigative Unit, in collaboration with the Saugus and Everett Police Departments, executed search warrants for the residence, vehicle and person of ARIAS in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Officers located ARIAS at a Gulf Gas station in Winthrop, with another individual who was later identified as DEBNAM, in a white Toyota Corolla operated by DEBNAM.
While conducting a search of ARIAS, officers located over $500, drug paraphernalia and over 36 grams of what was determined to be fentanyl. A search of the vehicle occupied by DEBNAM and ARAIS led to the discovery of over 100 grams of fentanyl in bags in the vehicle’s glove box.
Both men were arrested without incident and taken to the Winthrop Police Station for booking.
Officers also conducted a search warrant on ARIAS’ residence in Saugus, where they located additional drug paraphernalia.
ARIAS was arraigned on Tuesday, Sept. 27 in East Boston District Court, and is being held on $50,000 bail.
DEBNAM was arraigned on Tuesday, Sept. 27 in East Boston District Court and is being held on $5,000 bail.
“I would like to thank Saugus Police and the Everett Police Departments for their assistance in this investigation,” said Chief Delehenty. “I would also like to commend our Criminal Investigative Unit for their work on this case. Fentanyl is an extremely harmful substance and I am proud of our department, as well as our partners for their help in keeping our community safe.”
Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty and Town Manager Anthony Marino report that the Winthrop Police Department arrested a woman for a Civil Rights Violation after a violent act of hate and vandalism that occurred over the weekend.
ANGELA FOLEY, AGE 43, of WINTHROP, was arrested and charged with:
Civil Rights Violation
Malicious Destruction of Property Over $1,200
Malicious Destruction of Property Under $1,200
On Saturday, Sept. 17 at approximately 6:50 a.m. Winthrop Police Department received reports that a woman, later identified as FOLEY, was yelling racial obscenities and vandalized a resident’s vehicle in the area of Beach Road and Shore Drive.
An on-scene investigation determined that the suspect, FOLEY, smashed several neighbors’ windows, vandalized a motor vehicle and yelled racial obscenities in full view of several neighbors.
FOLEY was located at the scene and arrested.
“The hateful language used by this defendant as she committed several offenses in front of neighbors was inexcusable. Hate speech is not always illegal in our country, but it is always unwelcome in the Town of Winthrop,” said Chief Delehanty. “Incidents like this demand a response, and these types of incidents and hatred are part of the reason the Winthrop Police Department has a dedicated Civil Rights Officer. We must respond to these incidents and make it clear that this kind of hatred is not acceptable to our community.”
“On behalf of the Town of Winthrop, I condemn these acts of hate,” Town Manager Marino said. “I ask all of Winthrop to join me in rejecting hate and doing everything in our power to ensure we are a welcoming, caring community that is not afraid to speak up along with our neighbors in the face of hatred.”
“I would like to join Town Manager Marino and Chief Delehanty in making it abundantly clear that the Town of Winthrop rejects hatred in all of its forms,” said Town Council President James Letterie. “Our thoughts are with those who were targeted by these awful acts, and I pledge the Town of Winthrop will always do everything possible to combat hatred and to offer our hearts and assistance to all who face it.”
FOLEY was held on $500 cash bail over the weekend, and was arraigned Monday in East Boston District Court.
These are all allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
WINTHROP 一 Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty and Fire Chief Scott Wiley report that the Winthrop Police and Fire Departments responded after a recycling truck struck a utility pole this afternoon.
On Monday, Aug. 8, at approximately 1 p.m., Winthrop Police and Fire were dispatched to the area of Foam Street for a report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, first responders found that a recycling truck had backed into a utility pole, causing the power transformer to fall to the ground.
Due to damage to the transformer, there are power outages on Foam Street and on Siren Street up to the Shirley Street intersection.
The Winthrop Fire Department has opened a cooling center for affected residents at the Robert DeLeo Senior Center, 35 Harvard St.
National Grid is at the scene working to restore power. Power is expected to be restored in three hours.
Foam Street will remain closed while repairs remain ongoing.
No injuries were reported.
The incident remains under investigation by the Winthrop Police Department.
