Correction: While bail conditions were set, Filomeno is still being held.
A 33-year-old Haverhill man faces a dangerousness hearing next week after allegedly pretending to be a police officer, waving a gun and threatening teenage residents.
Herminio Filomeno of Granite Street was arrested just before 9 p.m., Wednesday, on charges that include kidnapping, home invasion, impersonating a police officer, armed assault in a dwelling and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to a police report, Patrolman Timothy Campbell and said he and Officer Christopher Dondero went to 22 Arch Ave. around 6:30 p.m. after a 19-year-old woman who lived there said a man with a gun had visited. The young woman told officers Filomeno was waiting for her outside her home when she arrived. He identified himself as a Haverhill police officer, displayed a pistol on his hip and asked if the woman’s 15-year-old brother was using his game account. As the report continues, Filomeno said his stepson had earlier played the game with the boy. He pulled the weapon—later identified as a BB gun—out of its holster and said “he was not afraid to use it,” prompting the teen to allow him into the home.
The younger brother identified a neighbor who had also been present when the electronic game was played a few days before. When Filomeno and the boy left to visit the neighbor, the woman called Haverhill Police and learned there was no officer named Filomeno. After police arrived at the home, the woman pointed out Filomeno as he drove by in a Nissan Morano. Remembering Filomeno had called himself “JoJo,” the woman shared a Facebook page with Dondero of a man with the same name. The officer, noticing certain tattoos, recognized the man as Filomeno.
While reviewing photographs at the police station, the teens’ aunt said Filomeno had also gone to her Bartlett Street home earlier and she had video of his arrival. Police confirmed the man in the video was wearing a firearm on his hip.
Filomeno was arraigned Thursday in Haverhill District Court. Judge Jean Curran set bail conditions, such as staying away from, and having no contact with, victims and witnesses, but ordered him held. He was ordered to return to court next Tuesday.