A Haverhill District Court judge has ordered two local men facing firearms-related charges held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing April 10.
Joshua Perez, 22 and William Ramirez, 21, both of Haverhill, were arrested by Haverhill police detectives at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, at the intersection of Hilldale Avenue and Brook Street. Both were arraigned late Thursday morning in Haverhill District Court.
According to Essex Assistant District Attorney Thomas Scholds, Perez is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a firearm) and discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building in connection with a March 25 shooting incident near Haffner’s gas station on Winter Street. A responding Haverhill detective reported an alleged altercation between members of rival gangs.
“When he arrived at the Haffner’s gas station, nobody was found. He did speak to the attendant there, who saw three black males in a crosswalk on Winter Street at Stevens Street. A black male who was wearing a black “North Face” type jacket with a black hat over his black handgun, he pointed and fired at three other dark-skinned males. The attendant believed that four to five shots were fired. She reported everyone ran in separate directions. One male had a white hockey style shirt on, who appeared to be the person being shot at,” Scholds said.
Also, Scholds said the alleged shooting victim, with connections to gang activity in Haverhill, showed up at a Manchester, N. H. hospital the next day with a gunshot wound to a foot. Police in Manchester could not connect any case to a claim he was wounded there.
Perez, an alleged member of a so-called “street fan” gang, is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The weapon, a .38 revolver, was purchased by his girlfriend, who is licensed, days before the shooting incident. Scholds said she admitted to investigators of handing the gun to Perez.
“Perez was advised of his rights. He agreed to give a statement to police. He admitted to being present at the altercation on the 25th but his story is inconsistent with both the video that was observed and a statement from his girlfriend. He admitted to firing shots, that he was firing in self-defense and that he fired at the ground,” Scholds said.
Ramirez, who was seen walking with Perez on Hilldale Avenue Wednesday, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlicensed possession of ammunition and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. In addition to a handgun discovered under his waistband, he was also carrying a folding knife.
In other police news, a Haverhill man is due to be arraigned in court on a vandalism-related charge after his arrest Wednesday night. According to Haverhill police, David Plourde, 31, of Haverhill, was arrested at 7:58 p.m., Wednesday, at 98 Portland St. He is charged with a single count of defacing property.
A Haverhill man was arrested Wednesday morning by police on a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Hector R. Perez-DeLeon, 41, of Haverhill, was arrested at 10:05 a.m., Wednesday, at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Primrose Street.
Also, a Haverhill woman was arrested by Haverhill Police Wednesday evening on a charge of violating a harassment order. According to police, Elena Simari, 60, was arrested at 7:40 p.m., Wednesday, at 37 South Webster St.
Unlawful possession of firearm AGAIN! What will it take to get these thugs off the streets and send them away for a LONG, LONG, TIME. They do NOT deserve to be let loose in a civilized society. We are all at risk of being harmed by these awful people!!!!