Haverhill police believe a home invasion and robbery at an Arlington Street home Monday night was a “targeted” incident and the public is not risk of random attack.
Paulino Benitez, 40, of Amesbury, was arrested at 6:20 p.m. after police responded to a 911 call, at 5:54 p.m., from a neighbor of the at 53 Arlington St. home, who heard yelling and screaming, according to Detective Lt. Robert P. Pistone, Haverhill police spokesman.
“…Officers encountered an armed male. The male was taken into custody. The case is still being investigated,” Pistone told WHAV. “Massachusetts State Police air wing and K-9 units assisted with a search of the area. This is believed to have been a targeted crime location and the public is not believed to be at risk of random attack in this incident.”
Benitez was charged with armed and masked robbery, home invasion, armed burglary, armed assault in a dwelling, assault and battery, kidnapping, witness intimidation and conspiracy. Pistone did not say whether there is more than one suspect involved.
Benitez is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Haverhill District Court.