Crime & Safety

WPD Handles Drug Issues, Break-Ins and Speeding Drivers

Recapping a busy month for the Wilmington Police Department with nine Patch headlines from August.

It was a busy month for the Wilmington Police Department, and Patch was there to cover each news story throughout August.

Here's a look at nine police and fire stories from the last month.

Punishment Levied for Unexploded Firework Shells

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After  and several other communities, the man who runs the town’s annual  display on his punishment.

Tony Gentile, a Newton resident, had his fireworks license suspended for six months followed by a six-month probationary period after reaching a settlement prior to his scheduled July 31 administrative hearing.

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“I can only say that the town’s experience with Mr. Gentile over the years has been positive,” said Town Manager Michael Caira. “That said, obviously something went terribly wrong in a number of communities. I certainly support whatever decision the Fire Marshal makes because it’s made on behalf of the public.”

Lotto Winner and Alleged Oil Scammer Faces New Charges

The Chelmsford man who allegedly took more than $10,000 from Wilmington residents and other customers in surrounding towns without performing the services he promised is now he's had since February.

According to a Lowell Sun article, police said that Michael A. Santaniello, 60, of 214 New Yorker Ave., Chelmsford, leased a Kia from a Westford rental-car company and never returned it.

Missing Teen Located Safely in Tewksbury

A Wilmington teenager who was  on August 3 was .

a Wilmington resident who knew Kenny Anglemyer was missing after reading about him on Wilmington Patch spotted him near Walgreens in Tewksbury. The woman called Tewksbury police, who picked Anglemyer up soon after.

King Street Drug Overdose Leads to Heroin Arrest

A outside of a King Street home on Tuesday afternoon.

Police Lt. Joe Desmond said a call came in at 3:33 p.m. on Tuesday from 29A King Street for a suspected overdose. When officers arrived they found a young female on the ground in front of the house who was, according to Desmond, responsive but “not doing well.”

The  took over the scene and treated the woman until her breathing improved and she could be transported to a local hospital.

Joshua Kivlehan, 18, of 29A King Street, was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of Class A drugs for allegedly having heroin at the home.

Police Investigating Pair of Wilmington Home Break-Ins

Wilmington Police were that appear to be related.

. A laptop and some miscellaneous jewelry were allegedly stolen from the property.

Then a day later, a Nichols Street resident told police that their home had also been entered and jewelry was taken.

Speeding Drivers on WPD's Radar as School Year Approaches

Students and teachers weren't the only ones getting ready for the new school year. The  got drivers ready for the first day of school as well with their .

“If we can get the message out and get more people aware, it helps in the long run,” said Desmond. “Drivers get out of the routine during the summertime. Traffic dies down, people are on vacation and you’re not seeing kids waiting by the bus stop, so you get out of that mindset. It’s our job to get people back in that mindset to remind them that they’re about to see kids out there.”

Wilmington PD Takes Five Alleged Drunk Drivers Off The Streets

During a one week span in the middle of the month, .

Wilmington Man Indicted on Felony Charges for June Arrest

A Wilmington man will face felony charges, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

According to the newspaper, Mark Ferrara of Hobson Street in Wilmington, faces 13 counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute. The Union Leader reports that court records indicate each of the charges carry a potential prison term of three-and-a-half to seven years and a $100,000 fine.

Wilmington PD Seeking Suspects in Cemetery Thefts

After receiving calls on a regular basis from residents who have allegedly had items taken from their loved ones’ grave sites, police have set up cameras in Wildwood Cemetery on multiple occasions with no luck.

But during their latest surveillence efforts,  and police were looking to identify the involved.

“It’s all the principle of the thing,” said Nally. “Whether it’s something worth $2 or something worth $50, these people are putting things out in memory of a loved one. Regardless of the money it’s a personal attack to everyone it happens to.”


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