Winthrop Public Safety

WINTHROP – Chief Terence Delehanty and the Winthrop Police Department would like to warn the community about scams that target senior citizens, and would like to offer tips for community members to help protect themselves and their loved ones.

Grandparent scams and bail scams, as they are commonly called, target grandparents and family members with stories of a grandchild or relative being in urgent trouble, often that they are under arrest. The scams request urgent bail money be provided, and scammers often encourage would-be victims not to contact police or other family members.

The scammer requests bail payment in cash or gift cards, to be given to a person posing as a courier or bail bondsman who arrives at the victim’s home. Or, the scammer requests money be transferred via a wire service.

Government agencies, including law enforcement, never contact the public demanding payment by wire transfer or by prepaid cards when individuals are being held on bail. 

Two Winthrop residents recently were victims of this type of scam and both incidents are being actively investigated by Winthrop Police, with assistance from multiple law enforcement partners.

Winthrop Police remind residents that any arrest or detainment of relatives can be confirmed with the arresting police department or through the local district court clerk’s office.

The Winthrop Police Department would like to share the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission regarding these types of scams:

• Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
• Verify the person’s identity by asking questions that a stranger couldn’t answer.
• Call a phone number for your family member or friend that you know to be genuine.
• Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
• Don’t wire money – or send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier.
• Report possible fraud at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

For more information on grandparent and bail scams, click here.

Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to such a scam are encouraged to contact Winthrop Police at 617-846-1212.

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Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports with a heavy heart that retired Police Chief Michael McManus passed away on Thursday morning at age 80.

Chief McManus joined the Winthrop Police Department as a Reserve Officer on Oct. 27, 1966, and became a Permanent Full-Time Officer on Feb. 26, 1968.

He became a Sergeant on June 2, 1983, and served in that position until his subsequent promotion to Lieutenant on March 14, 1988. McManus served as Acting Chief twice — from Jan. 31, 1995, to July 26, 1995, and from July 1, 1999, to March 13, 2000 — before becoming permanent Chief of Police on Dec. 26, 2000.

“Chief McManus was a gentleman many of us learned from as we came on the job as new Reserves or Officers,” said Chief Delehanty. “He served honorably for 38 years protecting and educating the citizens of the Town of Winthrop, and for that, we thank him and his family for their support and sacrifices.”

Chief McManus is survived by his wife, Fran, and his children, Maureen, Debby, Michael, Paula, Thomas, Sherry, Joseph, and Kim, and 15 grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held in the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, (St. Michael the Archangel Parish) at 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Thursday 10 a.m.

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. 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.

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.

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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.

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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)