Crime

Reports Say Two Gunmen Set Target on 20-Year-Old at Haverhill Hotel; Victim May Have Returned Fire

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Gunfire outside a Haverhill hotel seriously injured a 20-year-old man and sent others, including at least two guests, scrambling, while the main gunman appears to remain at large and possibly wounded. Police reports on file at Haverhill District Court detailed the chaotic situation that unfolded Wednesday afternoon and led to the arrest of 24-year-old Dexon Justabe of Methuen. Justabe is now believed to have pointed a gun at a hotel guest and participated in a robbery, but was not identified as the principal shooter. Instead, a man—who drove Justabe to the hotel in a Kia Sorento registered to a Revere man—is believed to have fired the life-threatening shots at the 20-year-old from Lawrence. He then drove off in the victim’s 2019 Honda CRV and, according to residents’ home security videos, ditched it on New Hampshire Avenue and walked toward South Elm Street while appearing to “check his lower torso area for a wound.”

As WHAV reported earlier, Justabe was arrested and charged with armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and improper storge of a firearm.

Crime

Possible Haverhill Carjacking Victim, 20, in Critical Condition with Gunshot Wounds

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A 20-year-old Lawrence man is reported in critical condition after, Haverhill police say, he was shot multiple times yesterday afternoon during a “possible carjacking” in Haverhill. Haverhill police arrested 24-year-old Dexon Justabe of Methuen in connection with the incident, charging him with armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and improper storge of a firearm. According to a press release from Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr., police said the shooting took place at Hampton Inn, 106 Bank Road, parallel to River Street, in Haverhill. Police said it received an initial report just after 4 p.m. of a possible carjacking where a man suffered a “gunshot wound to his stomach.” On arrival, officers found the Lawrence man suffering from “multiple apparent gunshot wounds” and he was taken to an area hospital

Haverhill and State Police are investigating. They ask that anyone who may have any information to call Detective Matthew Marshall at 978-373-1212, ext.

Crime

Family of Slain 21-Year-Old From Haverhill Seeks Online Donations to Help Pay for Funeral

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Donations are being accepted on behalf of the family of the 21-year-old Haverhill man who was shot and killed early Sunday morning in North Andover. Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz was allegedly shot and killed by 22-year-old Derick Moncion, also of Haverhill, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray. Moncion, listed on a Haverhill police arrest log as a resident of Hilldale Avenue, was arrested on a warrant Monday night, around 8:30. “This has all came too soon and too fast. On (Sunday) we lost a real ghetto angel and one of the realest persons in our lives with his departure he left us all in a deep grieve and with an emptiness in our hearts,” wrote Ninoshka Ruiz on GoFundMe.

Crime

Groveland Police Investigating Report of Armed Man on Foot Approaching Driver

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Groveland police are investigating a driver’s report of being approached by an armed man early Monday morning. Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen said the unnamed motorist told police he was driving around 5:30 a.m., along Salem Street near Route 97, when a man on foot “approached him, carrying a firearm, ordering the motorist to stop and turn his car around.” The driver said he drove away and was unharmed. Gillen added, “Groveland Police Department has not been able to substantiate the report, however the department continues to investigate.” Police said available surveillance video footage from the area neither show the driver nor an armed individual anytime Monday morning. The incident remains under investigation.

Crime

Police Arrest Haverhill Man, 22, for Alleged Murder of 21-Year-Old in North Andover

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A 22-year-old Haverhill man was arrested Monday night for the alleged murder of another Haverhill man, age 21, who was found dead in North Andover. Derick Moncion was charged with shooting and killing Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz early Sunday morning, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray Monday night. Ortiz Ruiz’ body was discovered by police in the area of Riverview Street in North Andover. A warrant charging Moncion with murder was applied for, and granted, Monday afternoon and he was arrested Monday night. Moncion is expected to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Lawrence District Court.

Crime

Police Charge School Bus Driver with Drunken Driving in Haverhill Crash with Student Passenger

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A school bus driver, arrested on charges of drunken driving with a student on board after a crash Thursday afternoon in Haverhill, did not appear for his arraignment in Haverhill District Court. Court officials say 45-year-old Anzian Arnaud Kamelan of Lowell did not appear on charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol, having an open container of alcohol and child endangerment while under the influence. He was arrested Thursday, around 3 p.m., on Maxwell Street at River Street. Police quoted the child’s parent as saying Kamelan was driving for Lynn-based Alain Transportation and the firm is registered to a Haverhill man. A police report on file with the court says a driver of a passenger car told officers he was driving on River Street and “sideswiped by a school van” as he was turning onto James Street.

Crime

Feds Allege Haverhill Man Stole $50,000 Intended to Help Veterans at Risk of Suicide.

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A 48-year-old Haverhill man was arrested by the FBI Tuesday for allegedly stealing $50,000 intended to help veterans at risk of suicide. David Duren, also known as Dawud Hakiem Duren, was arrested by special agents with FBI Boston and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General. New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young made the announcement first, saying only that “a Massachusetts man was indicted in connection with defrauding a nonprofit health care provider to obtain funds designated for reducing suicide rates among veterans.” The FBI later identified Duren as a Haverhill resident. According to court records, Duren was a program manager for a nonprofit health care provider in Nashua, N.H.  He was in charge of overseeing a program paid by a $750,000 Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant.  At Duren’s recommendation, the health care provider hired a company called “E3 Foundation,” purportedly led by a “Dr. Michael Rapp,” to provide services with the grant. Instead, Feds allege Duren controlled E3 Foundation and was posing as a physician on emails and calls.

Crime

Methuen Man, 28, Pleads Guilty to Selling Fentanyl, Other Drugs from Haverhill Stash House

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Methuen Man, 28, Pleads Guilty to Selling Fentanyl from Haverhill Stash House

A 28-year-old Methuen man pleaded guilty Monday to drug conspiracy charges involving distribution of fentanyl, fentanyl analog and cocaine in Haverhill and Boxford. Daniel Lopez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of fentanyl analog. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for June 10. Lopez-Gonzalez was indicted in April 2023 along with Erickson Castro Perez and Gustavo Adolfo Reyes Gonzalez. Between June 2022 and January 2023, Lopez-Gonzalez and his alleged associates sold fentanyl and fentanyl analog to police on six separate occasions in Haverhill and Boxford.