Several known gang members are among six people due to be arraigned in Haverhill District Court on multiple charges stemming from a police crackdown Thursday on criminal activity in the Mount Washington and Acre neighborhoods.
Members of the Haverhill Gang Task force—including Haverhill police detectives; Lawrence police; U.S. Marshals; Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents; and the Essex County Sheriff department—arrested the six Thursday evening, according to Captain Robert P. Pistone, Haverhill Police spokesperson.
“These arrests are the result of aggressive policing and investigations in the high crime areas of the Acre and the Mount Washington Hill area where violence has occurred in the past few weeks,” Pistone said. “This week Haverhill Gang Task Force members have, or are in the process of charging multiple, known, gang members for various crimes, and or had their probation/parole violated due to their association with the recent street violence.”
Arrested during the sweep were:
Luis Collazo, 20, 32 Davenport St. Haverhill, on warrants for unlawful possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Joseph Jacobs, 24, 70 Harrison St. Haverhill, on warrant for unarmed robbery.
Celestino Escalera, 20, 24 Harrison St Haverhill, who was stopped by task force members and found to be operating a stolen motor vehicle, was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Jonathan Roy, 21, 25 High St., Haverhill, and Elijah Declet, 18, 6 Greenhill Farm Road, Haverhill, were arrested as undercover task force members witnessed a drug deal on Vine Street between the two. Declet was charged with possession of a class D drug with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug laws and a drug violation near a school zone. Roy was charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession class D drug and a drug violation near a school zone.
Wilgen Montero age 19, 62 Portland St., Haverhill, charged with improper operation of a motor vehicle, refusing to produce a license and resisting arrest
Pistone added, “Fortunately, our local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners have committed long-term resources to Haverhill once again and this past week’s law enforcement activities were just the beginning of what has been planned for the months ahead. Haverhill and its many law enforcement partners are committed to keeping the streets of Haverhill safe.”
Great job but sadly, there are more gangs in Haverhill than we think. I am glad they are attacking this problem before it gets out of hand and begins to become violent.